With funding from the Department of Human Services' Income Maintenance Administration and donated space from Edgewood Management Corporation, CEE launched the Brookland Manor Teen/Learning Center. It was recognized, by the Brookland Manor truancy program and the Boys and Girls Club, that more services needed to be provided for the teens on the property. This program could not have gotten underway without the tremendous support of the Brookland Manor Community Relations Office and their vision for the residents.
With grants from Freddie Mac Foundation the Office of the Mayor's Escheated Estates, CEE's program expanded from serving 20 to 52 teens. Stagecraft, a program of the District's Department of Parks and Recreation, has partnered with us to offer the teens the opportunity to explore the music and recording industries while permanently recording their own lyrics, rhythm, and music.
CEE offers programs in accounting, financial management, and entrepreneurship in partnership with organizations such as Accounting Comes Alive and the Community Education Project. We believe that money management and fiscal responsibility are fundamental life-skills that are particularly empowering for low-income persons.
Our programs would not be possible without key partnerships and contributions from such organizations as Earth Conservation Corps, National School Boards Foundation, Martha's Table, and Youth Development Institute.
Through an Anacostia River study tour, Living Classrooms Foundation and CEE have educated teens in mathematics, physics, marine biology, environmental science and conservation with help from the Earth Conservation Corps.
Youth Development Institute provided a capacity building grant which has allowed us to strengthen our organization and services to include sports, health and fitness, and recreation. Lynette Locke has provided nutritional consulting and a cooking class to help address the health needs and complete our first steps toward a comprehensive program to restore hope and a future for the teens of Brookland Manor.
This memorial garden commemorates Brookland Manor's more than 20 teens who have died within the past few years. Designed and created by our teens for National Youth Service Day 2004, the garden was coordinated by Service for Peace.
Bridging the technological gap, Byte Back generously donated 15 computers and designed a computer lab and offers computer classes. Catholic University School of Social Services is offering a state-of-the-art, interactive computer leadership training program. The participants and staff especially appreciate the donation of office furniture by Office Pavilion and office equipment by Portesys, LLC.