Community Schools are located in neighborhoods of extreme poverty and are designated for added support to address issues like hunger, which prevents a child from learning and thriving. The Y in Central Maryland is a recognized leader as a direct Community Schools provider and expert consultant to school districts in our region, and beyond. With Y associates (many who are Licensed Social Workers) working directly in schools with Principals and other stakeholders, Y Community School associates help assess and fulfill student and family needs that facilitate and accelerate learning and well-being.
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our 29 extraordinary Community School Coordinators and Directors. Their unwavering dedication defines what it truly means to go the extra mile.
Here are some inspiring stories and reflections of just a few of these remarkable individuals. Far more than any data set or impressive charts, their stories tell the true impact of our Community Schools work and are well worth reading. Enjoy!
Anna Scribner
School: Graceland Park/O'Donnell Heights Elementary/Middle
Can you share a moment when you felt especially proud of your work as a Y Community School Director?
I feel special in this role when after a family's needs have been met and their children's attendance improves. Families are very appreciative when resources are provided that meet their needs.
How does your work as a Community School Director have a larger impact beyond the school?
The larger impact is addressing the wholeness of students and families to become successful in the real world.
How does your work as a Community School Director strengthen the connection between the school and community?
The Community School is the hub of the community. Forming relationships/partnerships to provide services such as safety, food, English classes for non-English speaking families, clothing, mental health services, resources for rent, employment, utilities, etc.
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David Castro
School: Lakeland Elementary/Middle
Can you share a moment when you felt especially proud of your work as a Y Community School Director?
At the end of the school year, a group of parents completely on their own decided to give thanks to the school and everything that it does for their families and children by cooking an impromptu potluck lunch for the entire 100+ staff body. They provided enough food for everyone and split up the expenses and work amongst themselves, also volunteering their time to set up and clean up so staff weren't responsible for anything. It was my first time seeing that in the two years I've been here and because of how organically it came together at no one's insistence, I felt pretty proud because it showed how they believed in what we did.
How does your work as a Community School Director have a larger impact beyond the school?
We are there for families in times of crisis. In the last few months alone we have had families lose jobs and are facing eviction or cutting of utilities due to hardship, lose their home due to a fire, lose a car due to an accident, and in the previous year we've had families lose loved ones to illness and violence. I don't always have the answers, and it frustrates me when there are barriers too big to overcome (e.g. unemployed but undocumented, so they don't qualify for practically ANYTHING and all I can do is suggest going to the Casa de MD Baltimore office). But I can at least hear them out and we can mourn with them, fight with them or provide the simplest of answers that provide some form of structure on how to move forward.
How does your work as a Community School Director strengthen the connection between the school and community?
It builds the sense of community and provides something the families can believe in. By learning what the community school initiative does and all that we do, they learn to eventually see the benefit of having their child in that school and it motivates those who can afford it to spread the word or give back. I do my best to listen to everyone's needs and viewpoints with the understanding that I can also serve as a bridge between communities that may not always get along but nonetheless face similar/overlapping struggles.
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Thomas Downs Jr.
School: Frederick Douglass High
Can you share a moment when you felt especially proud of your work as a Y Community School Director?
One of my high school students once told me she was proud of me, and it completely took me by surprise. After working with her for a year, hearing those words left me awestruck. She explained that she noticed the effort I was putting in and how I stayed committed, and that’s why she felt compelled to say it. I'll never forget that moment, as it reminded me that even when it’s hard to tell if students are paying attention to what you’re doing for them, they often notice more than we realize. It was especially meaningful coming from a student who isn’t usually sentimental.
How does your work as a Community School Director have a larger impact beyond the school?
At graduation, a parent of a student I had known for years said, "Thank you for all you did to help my son." In that moment, we reflected on how my support went beyond helping him graduate. I helped him grow into a better young man, guiding him to develop and flourish.
How does your work as a Community School Director strengthen the connection between the school and community?
As Community School Directors, we play a crucial role in shaping students into global citizens who understand their place in the world and are driven to make a positive impact. We work to create equitable spaces where students and families can thrive and live life to the fullest.
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Kenya Smith
School: Western High
Can you share a moment when you felt especially proud of your work as a Y Community School Director?
I'm proud to return to Western High as an alum and associate, being asked to plan and execute the annual tradition Unity Day assembly 2024 and am now planning the 180 year celebration of Western's existence is an absolute honor.
How does your work as a Community School Director have a larger impact beyond the school?
My work has a larger impact beyond the classroom because I'm intentional about my work being inclusive of the Western High School community and its stakeholders, including associates, students, families, partners and community members.
How does your work as a Community School Director strengthen the connection between the school and community?
I make sure to effectively communicate the Community School strategy and the work to the Western High School community at large.
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Stephanie Okonkwo
School: Lillie Mae Carroll Jackson
Can you share a moment when you felt especially proud of your work as a Y Community School Director?
Whenever we have a successful family engagement event! Most recently, we had two events two days apart -- Back to School Night on a Thursday and a School Cookout on a Saturday. People flocked to both events and walked away with school supplies, resources, food, and a stronger sense of belonging.
How does your work as a Community School Director have a larger impact beyond the school?
This year, in particular, my goal is to infuse micro-interactions with community members into the classroom; I want associates to get used to coming to me with a planned theme/unit and saying "how can we get some community members and experts in here to support this?" I've already been able to mobilize that goal this year and the pursuit excites me!
How does your work as a Community School Director strengthen the connection between the school and community?
I think by opening up our doors! Whenever we have someone walk across the street because they see our end of camp celebration happening and want to know if their kid can jump on the moon bounce for a few minutes or when someone who I know doesn't have a student here is able to use the food pantry, get a backpack or a winter coat, I feel like we are opening our doors and building a longer table instead of a higher fence.
Dr. Lillie May Carroll Jackson (the amazing woman that our school is named after) famously said that "Service to your people is the rent you pay for living on this earth," and I feel like there is no better evidence of that than the work that we do everyday.
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Daryn Moore
School: Forest Park High School
Can you share a moment when you felt especially proud of your work as a Y Community School Director?
Hosting my first food pantry in August 2024!
How does your work as a Community School Director have a larger impact beyond the school?
I think having an additional resource available for ALL students is a huge boost to the vision and mission of my school.
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Charisse Bowen
School: The Crossroads School
Can you share a moment when you felt especially proud of your work as a Y Community School Director?
Everyday! Interacting with the families and students on a daily level, connecting with alumni that are either in high school or college and helping them find jobs or the road to what they truly want to do with their lives, and connecting with associates (past and present) and gaining insight on what worked or didn't for them in their classrooms and using those as notes and suggestions for the next school.
How does your work as a Community School Director have a larger impact beyond the school?
I have become more involved and invested in students…making sure their 100% self is okay enough to succeed through the day or week. Knowing that they feel comfortable enough to call or text me and talk to me about anything AND gain something out of it makes me feel good. I also like connecting and knowing what the school's alumni are up to and how I can help if needed!
How does your work as a Community School Director strengthen the connection between the school and community?
Crossroads is in one of the busiest neighborhoods in the city - Fells Point! It's more 'businesses' than a 'residential' community, however both are now aware that there's a middle school here that houses students from all over the city from different walks of life and situations. After scaling the neighborhood with some students with flyers of events at the school, hosting health clinics, and asking the different businesses surrounding the school on how we could work together to better the students success AND their business, Fells Point knows all about The Crossroads School and wants to help in every way possible!
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Shateria Murray
School: Northwood Elementary
Can you share a moment when you felt especially proud of your role/work as a Y Community School Director?
During my time as a Community School Director, I’ve been able to support families in many capacities. However, I will never forget the smile that was put on one student's face as he received a new pair of sneakers to wear to school. The shoes he was wearing were worn down and small. After he received his shoes, he couldn’t stop talking about them and his entire demeanor changed.
I was also able to support a family with groceries after their mom suffered an injury that had her out of work for a short period of time. She was truly grateful that we were able to bag up groceries for her to take home during that time.
I even had the opportunity to host an overnight ladies event at the school with select students. We had the support of a student organization from Morgan State University as well, they hosted activities, created gratitude cards and bonded with our young ladies. It was truly a memorable experience for both the young ladies and college students who all played in the same space as if they were all the same age.