Who Are You? Youth Media Festival Performance Day is Saturday, April 25, 2009 @ CENTERSTAGE
Apr 20th, 2009 by Michael Karelis
This coming Saturday (4/25/2009) will be Wide Angle Youth Media’s 4th Annual Who Are You? Youth Media Festival: “Known for the Future, Living for Today”. The event is at CENTERSTAGE (700 North Calvert Street, Balto, MD 21202). The doors open at noon and the performance starts at 1:00 pm (and will run for about 2 hours). Goucher College (through the Department of Justice Grant) has been the lead sponsor of the festival for the last two years and I’m hoping folks can make plans to attend. This is a really outstanding opportunity to see and hear the powerful work (and VOICE) of Baltimore youth. Over 250 teens (grades 5-12) from all over Baltimore have contributed towards the festival (and the gallery space in CENTERSTAGE) and over 50 will be performing on Saturday. Please come out and support the hard work of Wide Angle Youth Media and Baltimore youth!
You can also check out www.whoareyoufest.org for more information. The event is Pay-What-You-Can (suggested donation of $8) but reservations are required so make sure you call (410)-332-0033 for seat reservations.
Information provided via email by Lindsay Johnson, Baltimore Community Partnerships Coordinator, Goucher College.
What Rachel Bond Learned about Organic Food Sustainability on Alternative Spring Break in Savannah, Georgia
Apr 15th, 2009 by Michael Karelis
By Rachel Bond
rabon001@mail.goucher.edu
In Savannah, Georgia we met up with a gentleman who goes by the name of Farmer D. Farmer D produces organic food and provides it to local homeless shelters as well as a local restaurant serving local organic food. He is also trying to work on starting local organic farmer’s markets in and around Savannah. I learned a lot about how food access affects what and how we eat. For instance, if someone is struggling financially, they may not have monetary access to fresh and healthy foods. With programs like the Farmer’s Market, people would be able to use food stamps to purchase food.
Evon Hewitt Jr. Shares his History Working with Dallas F. Nicholas Community School Radio
Apr 13th, 2009 by Michael Karelis
By Evon Hewitt Jr.
evon.hewitt@gmail.com
Greetings to all! My name is Evon Hewitt Jr., a Primary Self-Contained Special Educator at Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary School. For the past four years I have humbly served the children of Baltimore City with extreme pride and joy. In the fall of 2007, Dallas F. Nicholas, Goucher College, and Loyola College decided to implement a unique initiative that engaged elementary-aged students in journalism, broadcasting, and vocal recording. This initiative came to be known as the Dallas F. Nicholas Radio Program, the only on-site school-based radio station in Baltimore City. Given my “basic” knowledge of studio recording, I, along with the assistance of a single Goucher College student, worked with a small group of Dallas Nicholas students in a year-long experience-based initiative in the field of radio broadcast/journalism.
Over the years, our radio program has evolved in many ways. However, the one element that has remained the same is the partnership between the Goucher and Dallas F. Nicholas students. This year, we have the privilege of working with Goucher senior, Michael Karelis for the second consecutive year. Although I am considered the “lead” or program coordinator, Michael is the one who works intimately with the students on a regular basis. Since I am a full time teacher, I am severely limited in the amount of time that is available for non-instructional tasks- such as radio programs. Honestly, the program simply could not exist without a physical partnership with the Service Learning department at Goucher College.
Dallas Nicholas has greatly benefited from the continued support and service that is extended to us each year by the Service Learning department, under the leadership of my good friend and colleague, Mr. Michael Curry.
On behalf of the Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary School family, but especially the radio club members, I would like to take this opportunity to say a heart-felt thank you to Goucher College and all you do to positively impact the community daily.
For more information about the radio program please contact Michael Karelis, the radio club teacher and editor of Community Service Learning. bigmovie@gmail.com
More from Alternative Spring Break in Savannah, Georgia: Lunch at the Starfish Café
Apr 13th, 2009 by Michael Karelis
By Deborah Cohen
decoh001@mail.goucher.edu
Walking into Starfish Café, the first thing you notice is the friendly staff. With a big smile and the wave of a hand, they usher you into the restaurant. However, the easy going atmosphere and the kind staff cover only a small spectrum of the virtues Starfish Café offers. The food is delectable, offering options for those who range from vegans to hearty meat eaters. One of my personal favorite entrees was the Philly Cheese Steak with fries. The warm crunchy bread melded together with the gooey cheese is like a party in your mouth. However, nothing adds more flavor to food than knowing the proceeds for the restaurant are used to train people to enter into the workforce. There is no better investment than helping to shape a successful future for someone with delectable food on the side. The Starfish Café bridges the gap between, great food and making a difference.
Star Fish Café is a restaurant that cooperates in conjunction with Union Mission, an independent organization that works with homeless people to provide housing, medical services and job training. It also works with Savannah Technical College, which provides its students culinary arts training. By serving customers at the Starfish Café, the staff is able to develop the skills necessary to be placed either into a culinary job or a culinary arts school. Either way, the workers will be able to build a sustainable future. Possibly more important for them though, would be the confidence that they can overcome obstacles and move beyond their speckled past.
Star Fish Café
912-790-8512
719 E Broad St.
Savannah, GA 31401
Maegan Burke Shares her Experience Cooking a Giant Meal for a Women’s Shelter During an Alternative Spring Break Trip to Savannah, Georgia
Apr 11th, 2009 by Michael Karelis
By Maegan Burke
maegan.burke@goucher.edu
During our trip to Savannah (or to some “The Sav”), we had the pleasure of making dinner for a women and children’s shelter by the name of Magdalene House. We were faced with the task of making dinner for over 40 people. What at first seemed hard but not too bad turned into a project that we all couldn’t wait to be over.
We split of the parts of dinner that needed to be cooked like veggies, dessert, salad, and the best part—the main dish. We decided on baked chicken as the main dish (my suggestion of course). I, the person of the group that has never touched raw meat nor cooked a day in her life, volunteered to make the chicken along with Emily. After making grocery lists, we all hopped into our van and made our way to the grocery store. After buying the things we needed and after I flirted with some old men for a discount on my food, we made our way back to the shelter and began cooking. An hour later everything was done and the food was ready—or so we wished.
The food took a few hours to make even though it felt like a day. The kitchen was hectic and we all paused to think about how much we admire chefs that work in restaurants. We had to simultaneously make our dishes, help each other, try and keep things as clean as possible, all while interacting with the residents if the shelter. After frying our chicken instead of baking to save time we had enough chicken for the residents. We served with smiles on our faces and great pride as the little kids asked for more of our dishes.
Although cooking is on the surface less demanding than working in a garden, I’m sure most of the Gophers that went to The Sav would agree that the day at Magdalene House was the most tiring of the week. We rushed to clean, said our goodbyes, hopped into our van, and made our way back to the hostel. Although it was the most tiring day of the trip, it was the most morally fulfilling day for me. It’s one thing to do things for the shelter, but to feed them and see their happy faces when eating a full meal pretty much made my trip!
Magdalene House
912-236-7423
A Project of Union Mission
Sondra Chipkin’s Experience Volunteering in a Women’s Shelter During an Alternative Spring Break Trip to Savannah, Georgia
Apr 11th, 2009 by Michael Karelis
By Sondra Chipkin
sondra.chipkin@goucher.edu
One of my favorite places that we visited in Savannah, Georgia was Magdalene House. This is an emergency shelter for women and their children to stay temporarily until they can find housing. While our group was there we able to sit in on a basic nutrition class. These women were taught about ways to eat healthy and how to prepare meals easily. It was very informative for us because we learned how much salt is put in food that we buy compared to the food we make ourselves.
After learning about the shelter, we got the opportunity to cook a big meal for the residents there. Our group prepared the whole meal ourselves and it took a few hours to cook the dinner. Our menu included mashed potatoes, salad, chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, and smoothies for dessert. We all worked as a team to cook this meal and even though it took a long time to finish and we were tired afterwords, we felt good about feeding people who do not normally get a big meal like this. I was serving these young children our food who kept asking for more, and I was very happy that they enjoyed all this food. When I was done cooking and serving these children their food, I sat down next to a woman who wasn’t much older than me with her young daughter. This mother asked me if we were doing this for school or if we were just nice people who wanted to help others. I responded by telling her that each one of us was volunteering during our Spring break out of the kindness of our hearts. I also told her that this was something we enjoyed doing. At that moment I was glad that I was talking to this woman and volunteering in Savannah instead of being at home not helping anyone.
I am not much of a cook but I am glad that I worked with other students to make a meal that was not just for me. This was one of the few opportunities we had to talk to people who are homeless and I was so delighted that we were given this opportunity. I would love to go back to a shelter or a soup kitchen and cook again in the near future.
Magdalene House
912-236-7423
A Project of Union Mission
AmeriCorps*VISTA position available at Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring in August 2009
Apr 9th, 2009 by swallace
AmeriCorps*VISTA Service-Learning Collaborative Coordinator
Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring is seeking an AmeriCorps*VISTA member to coordinate a unique service-learning initiative that brings together middle school, high school and college level students to be involved in service-learning experiences. The ESOL population is specifically targeted in an effort to assist these students to enter successfully the next stage of their lives. Students at all three educational levels will work with one another and mentors in productive and meaningful service activities that connect to academic learning.The AmeriCorps*VISTA member will be responsible for maintaining connections with all participants in this program. This includes faculty and staff of Montgomery College and Montgomery County Public Schools, community based organizations, and the student participants themselves. The VISTA will prepare and help to organize service-learning opportunities where all students can make valuable contributions. This will involve working independently and interdependently with the schools and organizations. The VISTA member will ensure that student participants prepare appropriately and reflect meaningfully on these experiences once they are completed. Experiences the VISTA will coordinate may be directly related to course curriculum or extracurricular activities for students. The VISTA will need to publicize service-learning activities to students and also the community.
The AmeriCorps*VISTA member should be highly cooperative and able to work with a wide range of individuals. It is necessary that the VISTA is innovative and creative as he/she works with students, educators and community based organizations to design worthwhile and meaningful service-learning projects while maintaining the grander infrastructure of the general program.Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Jim Walters, Director of Student Life, at james.walters@montgomerycollege.edu. Any questions should be directed to Laura Rothlisberger, current VISTA program coordinator, at laura.rothlisberger@montgomerycollege.edu or by phone: (240) 567-3936.
A panel of current Americorps*VISTA workers will be on campus from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm on Thursday, April 9, 2009. (Location TBA) They will also have a table in Pearlstone from 3:30 pm till 5:00 pm. Anyone interested in Americorps*VISTA is invited to attend or stop by.
If you are interested in participating please fill out the registration form.
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Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma Alternative Spring Break American Red Cross Americorps Americorps*VISTA Audio Interview Baltimore City Schools Bilingual Blood Drive community-based learning community based organizations Community Connections Coordinator Community School Radio community service Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary School Deborah Cohen Employment Opportunities Events Evon Hewitt Fallstaf Schoolyard and Community Park Greater Homewood Community Corporation hiring job John Bernet Maegan Burke Magdalene House opportunity partnerships playground service-learning social justice Sondra Chipkin Special Education Teacher Union Mission VISTA volunteer Volunteering WDNR Who Are You? Youth Media Festival Wide Angle Youth Media-
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