Programs

We believe the path to our future rests in the hands of those to follow. The Foundation recognizes that it takes a village to raise a child and an empowered community to serve as bridge builders of inspiration and leadership for our youth to prosper. This philosophy is based upon the Bridge Builder poem written by Will Allen Dromgroole. The poem describes the journey of an old man crossing a bridge and the realization that danger may await the next traveler. So, he begins the daunting task of rebuilding the bridge under eyes of doubting observers.

Community Outreach
Scholarship
Talent Hunt
Matthew Henson Mentoring Project

Community

We strive to make a difference in our community and pride ourselves on being responsive to the needs of our community. Listed below are some programs we perform annually.

AFRO-American Mrs. Santa – Every year, the AFRO-American Newspaper conduct a Mrs. Santa campaign to make sure needy children and their families have at least one gift under the Christmas tree. To date, we have provided over 400 bicycles to needy children in support of the Mrs. Santa program.
Comcast Cares Day – Comcast Cable largest single day corporate volunteer project. The company selects a project like a school and volunteers spent the day cleaning, painting, landscaping and maintenance projects.
Holiday Feeding – We provide Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner to the Matthew Henson community. To date, we have served over 1,000 needy families.

Scholarship

The Scholarship program was established in 1987. The Foundation award is given annually to a high school graduating senior in the Baltimore area who will attend a four year Historically Black College/University. The Scholarships are to provide educational assistance to students who meet and maintain the selection criteria to assist with defraying college related expenses.

Talent Hunt

The program targets middle and high school students with the objectives of exposing and educating students in the Performing Arts through individual competition. The program is divided into four areas of competition; they are

Instrumental Music (classical and popular)
Vocal (classical and contemporary)
Dramatics (dramatic interpretation and dance)
Art (painting and sculpture).

Winners receive a cash prize and proceed on to district and national level competition.

Matthew Henson Mentoring Project

This project was established to support children in achieving academic success and to empower their parents and neighborhood residents to tackle the challenges created by the societal ills of low student achievement, poverty, poor health, teen pregnancy, and substance abuse. This comprehensive strategy has four parts, academic enhancement, civic and social engagement, physical development and community empowerment.

Part 1: Academic Enhancement

The foundation is the converner of a broad based partnership designed to attract resources spanning the private, political and corporate spectrum. These resources are organized to focus on one objective: academic enhancement for the children through the provision of a rigorous student centric academic program with the mission of success for all children. Below are current programs facilitating this goal:

Matthew Henson Institute of Virtual Learning
Local to Global Initiative (Partnership with Coppin State University)

Part 2: Civic and Social Engagement

Every month the foundation sponsors a school wide activity aimed at deepening the children’s civic and social engagement prospects. All of the school’s 4th and 5th graders are invited to participate in the activity. Below are examples of activities that have taken place:

Regular Field Trips
- Maryland General Assembly
- Office of Baltimore City State’s Attorney and District Courts
Interactive Workshops
- Gang Intervention Seminar
- Carred Day Fairs
- Annual Family Fun Festivals

Part 3: Physical Development of the Neighborhood

It is the foundation’s intention to sponsor projects and activity which strengthens the physical development of the neighborhood. Below are projects designed to achieve this objective:

Matthew Henson Greening Project
Education/Recreation Center
Fraternity Outreach Center

Matthew Henson Green Project
Matthew Henson Green Project
Matthew Henson Green Project
Matthew Henson Green Project
Matthew Henson Green Project
Matthew Henson Green Project

Part 4: Community Empowerment

The foundation realizes the need to empower residents to address adults to challenges created by societal ills. Below are examples of programs offered at the fraternity center which addresses this need: