Programs
We believe that our whole program has a positive broad community impact – we contribute to the economic wellbeing of the Hampden neighborhood by purchasing lunch and other things in the area. We contribute to the lessening of racial stereotypes in Hampden because we make it a priority to have good relationships with everyone in the community. We try to hire Baltimore City residents and 7 of our 10 staff are city residents. Additionally 15 young people entered Learning Inc. with some degree of involvement with juvenile justice but there were only 5 new incidents of juvenile justice involvement during the time spent with Learning Inc. This has a positive impact not only on the crime rate but on the associated costs of arrest and incarceration.
1. The Learning Cooperative
Academic Program - Our rigorous academic classes follow
a curriculum designed to reach disaffected students
and those with learning disabilities. Lessons are geared
to get students back up to academic levels appropriate
for their ages. All coursework is consistent with BCPSS
requirements, allowing them to regain lost credits. Students
participate in service learning hours, through a variety of
activities, another requirement for graduation that in turn
helps them to develop empathy for others.
2. Creative Minds Extended Day Program - Throughout the
day, we supplement what students are learning in school
through activities that demonstrate the relevance of
what they are studying to “real life.” Mathematics and
language/writing skills are embedded in all activities,
from homework assistance in our computer lab to workforce
development and enrichment sessions. Workshops and field
trips expose our students to places, ideas and skills
they might otherwise never experience. For instance,
our teachers share their personal hobbies and interests
with the students by leading sessions in photography,
digital music production, chess, carpentry and gardening.
3. The Youth Justice Initiative
Program - This year
Learning Inc. has a partnership with Community Law in
Action (CLIA) to provide our students with this program.
The twice-weekly sessions will last 90 minutes; CLIA
also will spend two hours a week working with students
individually on life planning, links to external resources
and follow up from the group sessions. The instructional,
hands-on sessions will provide students with the fundamental
skills necessary to display self discipline, self empowerment,
leadership and tools for self expression. Each workshop
will involve discussion and activities. These sessions
will include lessons on conflict avoidance/resolution,
critical thinking, law related education, career development
and public speaking skills. Youth will learn about their
rights and how to be better advocates for themselves
and others. Using the information learned in the sessions,
the students will develop a youth court where they will
debate issues; role play situations created by the student
body and address group disputes. The group will develop
the role of each participant during each hearing, and
render a decision after each case