Programs
Alexia Jordan, a Homework Club I student, tells her peers and community what she likes about the program at the Homework Club
Homework Clubs
FGCB offers Homework Clubs at two sites in Prince George’s County, Maryland. One is at the Kimberly Gardens community in Laurel and the other is at the Alden Berkley Townhomes in College Park. Both meet for two hours each Wednesday evening from October to May. Students at each site are divided into two groups: Homework Club I for first- to sixth-graders and Homework Club II for seventh- to twelfth-graders.
The Homework Clubs are staffed by certified teachers, who provide the students with homework assistance and other academic support. FGCB strives to maintain a ratio of one instructor to 10 to 15 students. Parent volunteers assist instructors. In addition to homework help, instructors assist students with school projects such as “Write a Book” competitions and science fair projects. Students also work on math drills and receive reading instruction. Educational games are available.
Homework Clubs also include recognition and enrichment activities. Honor roll dinners reward students whose grades qualify them for the FGCB Honor Roll. Speakers, including FBCB alumni, give students advice and encouragement. Students go on outings to events such as University of Maryland games, medieval-themed feasts and plays at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Recreational outings include bowling and laser tag. Some students attend a weeklong Maryland Leadership Workshop at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, each summer.
To see a calendar of upcoming Homework Club meetings and events, click here.
College Access Program
FGCB offers its College Access Program for 10th- to 12th-graders at five sites in Prince George’s County, Maryland: Central and Fairmont Heights high schools in Capitol Heights, Laurel High School in Laurel, Parkdale High School in Riverdale and Potomac High School in Oxon Hill. Students from other high schools also may participate if space in the program is available – enrollment at each site is limited to 40 students per grade level.
Each student enrolled in the program is assigned an FGCB “encourager” – a staff person from that high school who maintains regular contact with the student and family to offer college-bound advice and support. The encourager reviews students’ progress reports and report cards, arranges meaningful quarterly activities for students and their families, and tries to ensure that students have the academic and family support services they need to succeed.
Each site holds monthly workshops for students and their parents or guardians on such topics as the college admissions process, financial aid process, filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and what student support services will be available at colleges.
FGCB takes students on an average of three visits to college campuses. These colleges have included Alleghany College of Maryland, Capitol College, Coppin State University, Frostburg University, Morgan State University, Salisbury University, Towson University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
After students receive college acceptances, FGCB furnishes matriculation support, working with families to ensure all necessary forms are sent in and all financial requirements met for the chosen college so that students can begin classes in the fall without complications.
Each June, FGCB holds an Annual Celebration to honor the high school graduates about to enter college and former FGCB participants who have just earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree from a college or university. This highlight of the year has featured such speakers and emcees as former University of Maryland basketball star Len Elmore, Prince George’s State’s Attorneys Alexander Williams and Glenn Ivey, nationally prominent defense attorney Willie Gary and actor Tico Wells, as well as FGCB alumni.
To enroll in the College Access Program, click here.
To see a calendar of upcoming College Access events, click here.
To see a list of recent College Access events, click here.
Retention Program
FGCB continues to stay in contact with its participants and their families during the students’ college tenures. FGCB alumni stay in touch to check on academic progress, remind students and families about continuing requirements such as filing the annual FAFSA form, and generally offering encouragement and support. Students also receive care packages from FGCB.
