Telesis Groundbreaking This Morning

This morning, 150 people gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the $85 million Telesis redevelopment project in Barclay-Midway-Old Goucher. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, neighborhood residents, community partners, and city elected officials all came out to show their support at this inspirational event.

"It was a beautiful sight to see everyone socializing and networking as they came together to celebrate such an important milestone for the Barclay community," said GHCC MSW (Masters in Social Work) intern Treshona Saxton. And indeed it was: the feelings of pride and accomplishment among the crowd were well warranted, as the Telesis project represents a new era for the Barclay community.


Interested in a little history on this project? We like this article in the Baltimore Brew.


Here are a few pictures from this morning's event:

A Uniform for Every Student

Submitted by Kerri Hamberg


As a relatively new resident of Baltimore and a new volunteer at GHCC, I want to spend some time getting to know the area and the organization. Since I’m a former public school teacher and a parent, Christy—GHCC's Development Director and the supervisor for my volunteer work—recommended I start by talking to a fellow parent who’s been working with GHCC in the local public schools.

I sat down on August 26 with Jennifer DiFrancesco, a mother of two and minister at Second Presbyterian Church on N. Charles Street. This summer, GHCC helped her and other parents at Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle School use direct appeals and social networking to raise over $9000, enough to provide each student with a brand-new uniform for the 2010-11 school year.

“Originally, we’d just hoped to raise enough for a couple hundred second-hand uniforms,” she told me. “But then GHCC stepped up and offered us help with Facebook, Twitter, and Paypal, and suddenly the donations started rolling in. We could never have raised so much money without their help. Now we have more than enough for every child to have a free, brand-new uniform for the first day of school.”

Last week, the school hosted a back-to-school event, where each student was measured for their uniform and everyone went home with a brand-new shirt. GHCC’s Karen DeCamp helped make arrangements for five AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteers to assist with the celebratory event.

“Everything went so smoothly, thanks to all of the volunteers. We sold some hot dog plates for $2.50, fitted everyone for their new uniforms, and the kids had a great time,” Jenn said. “I think we’re all looking forward to the new school year.”

Kerri has been volunteering with GHCC's development staff to help with public relations and fundraising efforts. This is her first blog post, but we'll be hearing more from her as she settles in! To read more about Jenn DiFrancesco's amazing fundraising efforts for Margaret Brent students, keep an eye on your inbox for this month's GHCC Digest (or sign up if you haven't already) or check out her feature in Great Kids Up Close.

Join Your Friends and Neighbors for a Night Out at Darker Than Blue Cafe!

What makes Greater Homewood...greater? For starters, how about great food, great hospitality, and great neighbors?

It all comes together on:

September 14, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

Darker Than Blue Café

3034 Greenmount Avenue, Baltimore, 21218

Bring three of your friends, family, or neighbors for a buffet dinner and discover another reason why you love Greater Homewood.

$26 per person (tax included)

BYOB
Raffle

Please RSVP to Christy Zuccarini (click to open an email) or our the Facebook event so we can get a good head count for Casey Jenkins, a great neighbor and owner of this little gem on Greenmount. 

Make it easy! Purchase your ticket online in advance by clicking the button below.

Too Good to be Thru Update

A couple weeks ago, Pamela Corkran shared her story about growing up in Charles Village and years later opening a consignment shop there. Hopefully, her story made you want to pay Too Good to be Thru a visit. Maybe you even have some old clothes you'd like to sell. Today, she provides an update on her grand opening and consignment process:

Interested in selling your unwanted clothing on consignment?  Too Good to Be Thru is open for business and we have a call out for new consignors!  We are preparing for our grand opening on September 23 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. and you’re invited!  Please call or email us (contact information below) if you’re interested in attending.

Several people who have told me:  “I just donated my items,” or “I just gave my things away,” or “I sell my things at a flea market or yard sale.”  I am here to tell you there is another option that puts that hard-earned money back in your pocket and doesn’t take all the effort or time of a flea market or yard sale.  Just pack your items neatly in a bag or box and drop them off at:

Too Good to Be Thru Consignment Boutique

2123 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21218

Please click to read more about our consignment process.