Lillie May’s method of proactive community building and conflict resolution. Learn about how we heal and restore to build a stronger school community everyday. Restorative practices empower scholars to resolve conflicts on their own and in small groups, and it’s a growing practice at schools around the country. Essentially, the idea is to bring scholars together in peer-mediated small groups to talk, ask questions, and air their grievances.
Our art program is run by Art with a Heart. Click to learn more about the numerous programs AWAH offers. Art with a Heart brings interactive visual arts classes into schools, community centers, group homes, shelters, permanent housing facilities, hospitals, and senior housing facilities. Founded in 2000, Art with a Heart has experienced steady growth, from four small classes a week to 11,000 annually, with a proven track record for developing creative initiatives and accessible paths to success for individuals living in Baltimore’s most vulnerable communities.
Art with a Heart provides teachers, assistants, materials, and innovative curriculum to engage our vulnerable neighbors in consistent art programming.
In addition to its interactive art classes, Art with a Heart has complementary initiatives, including a job program (HeARTworks), service learning opportunities, community service projects, public art efforts, a social enterprise/retail store, HeARTwares, and a leadership program.
The Baltimore Urban Debate League (BUDL) uses the art of debate to change lives. BUDL brings learning to life by making it relevant, real, and fun. In competitive debate and in the debate classroom students do more than just memorize and repeat facts, they own and direct their learning, they approach a topic from their own perspective and by doing so they find their voice, their purpose, and their power. Students in BUDL develop a thirst for knowledge and become inspired to seek and utilize new information.
TWIGS, a free after-school and Saturday arts program that serves more than 700 Baltimore City children in grades 2-8 each year. TWIGS offers free classes in dance, vocal and instrumental music, stage production and design, visual arts, and visual storytelling. TWIGS also serves as a pipeline for admission to the high school; each year between 35-40 percent of the incoming first-year class have been trained through TWIGS.
Urban League Saturday Leadership Program
The Saturday Leadership Program is a FREE program that provides collaboration between parents, the Greater Baltimore Urban League, schools, Universities/Colleges and a host of other partners to create a “village” that increases the participant’s academic success. Sign up in May, the program begins in August.
YouthWorks Youth Employment Program
YouthWorks is Baltimore City’s summer jobs program, offering thousands of youth ages 14-21 five-week job experiences with non-profit, government, and private-sector employers. Sign up January-March for summer employment. YouthWorks Snow Program applications are open through mid-January for winter employment.
We understand that for many underserved populations, lack of transportation can be a major barrier to participating in ongoing mental health treatment. As such, we provide transportation with our fleet of well maintained BTST shuttles and vans. At no cost to the client, we provide door to door service to and from medication appointments for all clients who do not otherwise have the means. We do so because, at BTST we believe that all people deserve access to health care no matter their socio-economic status.
Reach High Baltimore: Rowers Empowering Baltimore Youth is a year-round after-school and summer training and racing program developing discipline, self-confidence, team work and strong preparation for college, career and life. Enroll here.
Through media arts education, Wide Angle Youth Media cultivates and amplifies the voices of Baltimore youth to engage audiences across generational, cultural, and social divides. Our programs inspire creativity and instill confidence in young people, empowering them with skills to navigate school, career, and life. Since 2000, Wide Angle Youth Media has worked with over 5,000 youth from across Baltimore City who have produced hundreds of digital media projects about their lives and communities. Find the fall enrollment for Baltimore Speaks Out Middle School Program here.
Muse 360 Arts/New Generation Scholars
We are New Generation Scholars. We are a dynamic group of 30+ Baltimore City youth, ages 13 to 21, from diverse neighborhoods and backgrounds. We are the next generation of scholars, artists, activists and social entrepreneurs. We are independent thinkers. We are explorers. We are storytellers. We are a team. We are game changers. Join us!
Since 2007, New Generation Scholars ( formerly known as Dancing Many Drums) has served over 300 scholars in the Baltimore Area. Our scholars experience art education beyond the classroom by traveling domestically and internationally to study the African Diaspora. Our scholars have visited New York, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Dominican Republic, Eleuthera, London, Paris and Cuba.
