One of the key tenets of our strategic plan, IMPACT 2020, is to “actively engage with the community and other organizations to drive higher levels of civic engagement and community investment.”  A recent service learning project which brought together Y after school students from the Waverly Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore City with students from the Park School of Baltimore County is a shining example of teaching the value of civic engagement to young people whose life views and patterns are just being formed. The project brought together 26 students and their teachers from the two schools who met at the Weinberg Y in Waverly to discuss the concept of a community-built playground and the history of the Weinberg Y’s playground of that very nature. More importantly, they also discussed the importance of volunteering and why they personally give. The project culminated in the painting of 50 tiles that will be added to a display of artwork which already surrounds the playground!

To add to the fun, the final art was judged by the toughest playground experts in Waverly and beyond: our Y Preschoolers!!! Not surprisingly, the ice cream and sun paintings won 1st and 2nd place! Who’d of thunk it?

Thanks to Y associates Eric Somerville, our Executive Director of Volunteerism and Community Engagement, along with Alexis Perkins, Catrina Springer, Evoria Clark, Heather Navasky, Rachel Shade and Rommel Loria, The Park School’s Director of Civic Engagement and Service Learning, for making this fun and important hands-on civic engagement experience possible!

All the best,

John

John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland