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To learn more about Students Sharing, feel free to directly link to any of the subheadings below, or just scroll down and keep reading!
Mission Vision Statement Uniting the Power of Youth to Serve and to Lead! Our Goals
We offer learning programs and curricula that allow students to learn about the world through service to others. This approach benefits those being "helped,” and contributes to the growth and development of the person helping. Students gain confidence, competence, and a closer connection to their communities. We offer separate programs for 7th and 8th graders, as well as high school students. Academic Preparation Depending on the program, Academic preparation may take place in the classroom, after school, in the Students Sharing office, or on the site of a service project. Wherever the location, the lesson will expose students to information and theory about social justice, poverty, hunger, homelessness, and other problems that affect Baltimore and the U.S. Community Action. Action can take place in many different forms and at many different locations. Our students understand the differences between direct service, indirect service, and advocacy. Different projects seek to utilize the various types of service to improve the quality of life for our most vulnerable communities and community members. Some projects involve teams of students working with other community service providers, including Habitat For Humanity, Our Daily Bread, including South Baltimore Station. Other projects include an annual Spaghetti Dinner for the homeless, a Halloween for Hunger food drive, speaking out to delegates during the Day in Annapolis, and monthly collections of care products. Several of our programs involve the students in planning and implementing their own community service projects, with tasks ranging from identifying issues within their own communities to developing and carrying out an action plan for addressing those issues Structured Reflection. After each project, the students participate in a reflection activity which is designed to give students time to explore and share their thoughts and feelings about their service experience. Reflection is a crucial component of the community service-learning experience. Effective reflection places the service experience in a broader context and reinforces the memory of the experience. Research shows that participation in well-structured, meaningful service allows students to broaden their horizons and increase their self-esteem.
History
and Accomplishments
Students Sharing is always working to
increase
our outreach and add new and exciting ways for youth to get involved
in their communities. Below is a brief timeline of our evolution. May 2008 Our first Operation AWARE 14 week engagement curriculum was successfully facilitated in nine middle schools in Baltimore City, with a total of 880 youth involved.
A pril 2008 SSC held its first Dance for Change event at Towson University. The dance-a-thon raised $22,000 for Students Sharing programs.
March 2008 Linda Kohler, founder and executive director of SSC, received the Doris Johnson Award during the Social Ministry Convocation from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
February 2008 In partnership with Healthcare for the Homeless 131 students from 12 schools met with their delegates and senators to advocate for homeless rights during our 16th annual Day in Annapolis.
December 2007 SSC received the Annual AIM for Excellence Award from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Program in honor of Linda Kohler's "implementation of positive change" and the benefits of our Halloween for Hunger program that raised over 3.6 tons of food for the area's hungry.
May 2007 SSC honored four student leaders who received our annual Scholarships for Service Awards at our Annual Civic Engagement Awards Ceremony at Loyola College. Gave attendees a sneak peak of our new book "Changing the World Around Me" created and designed by Loyola College students about SSC's youth leaders.
May 2006 SSC chosen by the Paint and Powder Club of Maryland as one of their charities of the year and received $25,000 from their fundraising efforts.
February 2006 Began piloting our after school Justice circle program in three middle schools. October 2005 Summer 2005 Summer Service Action Camp was filled for both sessions, and we had a long waiting list. The success of the program and the obvious interest from the Baltimore community has led to a decision to expand the program in 2006. We also ran another successful Summer Service Thursday Series. February 2005 Our 14th Annual Lobby Day in Annapolis brought 120 students, with homeless clients and other concerned citizens from the Center for Poverty Solutions, Health Care for the Homeless, and the Maryland Citizens Health Alliance, to meet with delegates over the very contentious issue of universal healthcare for all Maryland residents. November 2004 During their annual Phone-a-thon at the MBNA corporate office in Hunt Valley, students raised a record $13,375 from a total of 231 SSC alumni, parents, and friends. October 2004 At the annual Halloween for Hunger event, students collected an even more amazing TWO TONS of food; proceeds went to Catonsville Emergency Food Ministries and The Franciscan Center of Baltimore. Summer 2004 SSC instituted the Summer Service Thursdays Series for high school students and led our second annual Middle School Summer Service Action Camp. In July, our first Americorps VISTA placement joined us to serve as High School Program Coordinator. September 2003- August 2004 The High School program held 92 Community Action Projects, served a total of 2,142 hours, created 1000 hygiene kits, donated 2,300 pounds of food, and involved over 600 youth. In the Middle School Program, 270 Baltimore City Public school students completed 15 student-created service projects and performed 3,696 total hours of service. April 2004 Nancy Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools and the Maryland Student Service Alliance, recognized SSC with the Community Organization Service-Learning Leadership Award for outstanding dedication to the students of Maryland and commitment to providing high quality service learning opportunities. January 2004 Sponsored by the Educational Foundation of America and covered by WMAR-Channel 2 News, the Student Executive Council held its first winter mid-year retreat. Student leaders spent the night in a closed homeless shelter to show their solidarity with the community they are serving. These council members used their time to reconnect with their values, set goals for the year, bond with one another, and speak with the press about what they have learned at Students Sharing. Fall 2003 In order to raise awareness of local and international hunger issues, SSC sponsored first Hunger Banquet for parents and student participants. October 2003 Summer 2003 May 2003 April 2003 2003 2002-2003 Summer 2001 SSC developed a partnership with RTKL and Associates, Inc. who co-sponsored our fifth Habitat for Humanity house in Sandtown and provided on-site, expert mentors to work with student volunteers. December 2001 December 2001 Through their Honor Rows Program, the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism chose SSC's Summer Service Action Camp to receive recognition at a Baltimore Raven's game. This allowed 75 middle school youth participants, staff, and volunteers to attend a Ravens game and to, throughout the game, receive recognition. Fall 2001 By providing Operation AWARE to the entire seventh grade at both Barclay and Guilford Middle School, SSC continued to expand our middle school program. Fall 2000 The Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks chose SSC to conduct an OA after-school program for more than 120 youth. September 2000 Fall 1999 Fall 1998 Fall 1997 . The Governor's Office of Service and Volunteerism chose SSC, one of three selected Maryland agencies, as a Community Beacon to help facilitate high-quality, community-based service learning.Spring 1997 . The France/Merrick Foundation provides funding to develop and implement the multicultural program Houses Building People.May 1996 . SSC piloted the Kids Teaching Kids program in three area elementary schools.October 1995 . SSC representatives visited the White House.The Corporation for National Service chose Students Sharing Coalition out of 400 organizations to attend a kick-off celebration at The White House. March 1995 . SSC hosted students from The Ukraine.Serving as a consultant for The Baltimore County Public Schools, SSC conducted one full week of service learning and leadership training for forty students from the Ukraine. February 1995 . SSC received 501c3 status.Fall 1994 . SSC was chosen as a Cluster Member of Governor's Commission on Service Community Beacons of Maryland ProgramFall 1994 . SSC became incorporated.The first Board of Directors was elected, and Founder Linda Kohler was named Executive Director Spring/Summer 1994 . SSC formed the Student Executive Council. Summer leadership training and service learning experiences were provided for a core group of students who represented eleven high schools.April 1993 . SSC implemented the First Annual Spaghetti Dinner for the Homeless. Students from twelve area high schools planned and carried out a large-scale spaghetti dinner for 250 of Baltimore's homeless at St. John's United Methodist Church.February 1993 . SSC held First Annual Lobby Day in Annapolis.In collaboration with Action for the Homeless, twenty-eight students traveled to Annapolis to meet with legislators and speak-out in support of Maryland's homeless residents. 2008-2009
Permanent Staff:
Executive Director Linda Kohler linda@studnetssharing.org
Director of Programs Brandy Kelly brandy@studentssharing.org
Development Director Amberlee Rust amberlee@comcast.net
High School Program Coordinator Phillip Westry phillip@studentssharing.org
AMERICORPS Volunteers:
Kaleema Breathett kaleema@studentssharing.org
Molly Bolek mbolek@studentssharing.org
Linda Kokenge lkokenge@studnetssharing.org
Christina Miller christina@studentssharing.org
Christine Stiver christine@studentssharing.org
Past
and Present Supporters
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