A combined effort of returning volunteers and new recruits will help Free Minds Takoma to create our bi-monthly “Write Night” designed to create a bridge of understanding between Takoma Park area residents and youth incarcerated in DC jails and federal prison. Write Night “Poet Ambassadors” (youth and adults recently released from custody) read poetry aloud to the volunteer audience. After the performance, volunteers read poems and send comments and encouragement.

Workshops that will engage professional speakers from the community with experience in positive discipline and cultural adaptation issues as it works to connect and support parents from Lunch & Learn. Fitness will be led by a professional instructor once a week at a convenient time for our targeted participants, including free group childcare provision for mothers who participate.

Programs that will focus students on success by providing academic and social support, creating a positive association with school, and building students’ confidence in their ability to succeed. The relaxed setting with teachers students know and trust will help them develop strong, positive relationships with their school and academic material, as well as a stronger support system.

Specifically, the TPES Young Scholars instructors will strive to meet the needs of English Language Learners and students with special needs and students will see and hear more overlap between the academic language from the classroom setting and in the Young Scholars to increase familiarization with key vocabulary when they hear it.