High Hopes - It Takes a Village

I recently received information on an exciting and powerful partnership between the Women of Good Shepherd UMC, an inner city Baltimore church - and the The Community School of Baltimore.

In late 2008, the women began their partnership with the school which is an academic and mentoring program, based in the Remington Community of Baltimore City, for 14 young people who want to advance their education, improve their lives, and better their community. Upon leaving a visit school last summer, the women were moved to support the teens, ranging in age from 15-18 years in every way possible. A decision to “adopt” the school for one full year resulted in monthly visits with programs and donations by the Good Shepherd UMC membership. Included among Good Shepherd’s support were trick or treat bags for Halloween, warm apple pies for Thanksgiving, Christmas gift bags that brought surprises (and resulted in hugs from the students), spaghetti lunches, and financial backing for a student learning trip to Canada and Niagara Falls.

The Hampden/Woodberry/Remington/Mt. Washington Community US-2 worker, Greg Little (who lives in the Good Shepherd UMC Mission House), has become a volunteer tutor for the school, and works there every Thursday afternoon. The women report that the children of the school and Good Shepherd volunteers have laughed together, shed tears of joy, and have been surprised and amazed by each other. They share that it has been a fantastic year, watching the children change, grow, mature, and respond to the adults from Good Shepherd UMC with warm smiles and hugs, hugs, and more hugs. On May 31, 2009, five volunteers from Good Shepherd UMC, Rev. Amy Lewis, and Greg Little were invited to the Closing Year Ceremony for The Community School of Baltimore, held at The Glass Pavilion at Johns Hopkins University.

Finally, the Women of Good Shepherd report that this effort has been the most fulfilling adventure ever undertaken by the circle of women. “We came to give, and we received. We came to make changes, and were changed. We came to love, and we have been ‘out-loved’ at every opportunity. Our original plan to adopt the school for one year has changed BIG TIME. We now want “full custody!”