Operation AWARE (AWAkening
through Real World Experiences)
is a twelve week, in-school
service-learning program, targeted
at seventh-graders in Baltimore
City. Through their participation,
youth can gain up to 21 serving-
learning hours toward Maryland's
requirement of 75. The
curriculum, integrated into regular
academic studies, encourages
students to take action against
injustice, and equips them with
the knowledge and skills
necessary to do so.
Through the program, students
are introduced to and educated
about social justice issues and
helped to understand their civic
obligations. They learn, also,
which problems are particularly
relevant to the Baltimore
community. Once they have a
firm base of knowledge, students
plan and execute their own
service projects, aimed at
addressing specific community
needs. In the past, youth have
engaged in beautification efforts,
anti-gang initiatives, and assistance
to the homeless.
To give students a base knowledge of
social justice, advocacy, public policy
issues, democratic institutions, social
safety-net organizations, community
organizing, and Baltimore community
history.
To help students understand their
responsibility to the community.
To make students aware of the
problems and resources in the
community, and their possible role in
solving those problems and utilizing
those resources.
To facilitate student participation in
numerous collaborative service-
learning projects, some of which they
will plan themselves.
To increase students' level of
community and school engagement.
To provide students with community
organizing and life skills that will
assist them in becoming effective
change agents and responsible and
active citizens.
Justice Circles is an after-school
program for seventh and eighth
graders, and is a logical follow
up to Operation AWARE. Youth
can gain up to 30 service-learning
hours toward Maryland's
requirement of 75. More flexible
than its predecessor, it allows
students to explore concepts with
greater openness and specificity,
and to focus on areas which most
interest them. The program
continues to develop students'
base knowledge of social justice
issues, but has a greater focus on
developing competencies in
community organizing and
strategic planning, as well as
seeking improvements in
students' self-esteem, leadership
capacity, academic consistency,
and ability to empathize.
Additionally, youth critically
examine their surrounding
community, assessing its strengths
and weaknesses and identifying
methods for improving it. And as
with Operation AWARE, students
will work to establish community
partnerships, utilizing them in the
planning and execution of
periodic service projects.
To expand on and reinforce students'
knowledge of social justice, advocacy,
public policy issues, democratic
institutions, social safety-net
organizations, community organizing,
and Baltimore community history.
To facilitate student dialogue about
the hardships they experience and
witness on a day to day basis.
To connect students to community
resources, with the goal of developing
long-term youth-adult relationships.
To facilitate student participation in
numerous collaborative service-
learning projects.
To aid in the development of positive
individual characteristics and
academic commitment.
To provide students with community
organizing and life skills that will
assist them in becoming effective
change agents.
Summer Service Action Camp is a service-learning initiative for rising 6th, 7th,
and 8th graders. The camp, two weeks long, runs twice each summer. Students
are introduced to social justice topics, both general and specific, and participate
in a variety of leadership and teambuilding activities, meant to prepare them for
several fields trips in which they engage in direct community service. Daily
schedules also include artistic reflection and recreational games.
To bring together youth from diverse backgrounds in service to Baltimore.
To instill in middle school youth an awareness of and commitment to social justice, and to
engage them in experiential learning which brings the concepts to life.
To give students a hands-on understanding of their community's strengths and weaknesses.
To encourage youth to reflect upon their thoughts and experiences through the arts.
To let the kids have fun.
Location: 2315 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21218
Time: Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Dates: July 6th to July 16th (First Session)
July 26th to August 6th (Second Session)
More information is contained in the letter to the parents, available here.
You can print out the registration forms here.
High School Counselor positions are available! If you are interested in:
∙ Working with Baltimore youth
∙ Receiving 60 Service Learning Hours
∙ Getting Leadership Training experience, and performing other leadership duties
...then click here to print out an application. Applications are due May 17th, 2010.
Chinquapin Middle School
