is a comprehensive, educational enrichment program designed to enhance the academic performance, provide leadership skills development, encourage

community service involvement, and enrich the cultural development of youth in Prince George’s County, with specific emphasis in the Landover and Suitland

communities. The Ivy League consists of three age-based youth programs and a companion parent support system.

The Popcorn Club provides a happy and engaging environment where children in the first through sixth grades can come to receive help with their homework and improve their reading skills. The program is a collaborative effort with the owners and management of the Overland Gardens apartment complex located in

Landover, Maryland.

The club runs daily Monday through Thursday afternoons for approximately two hours. The objective of the club is to have children learn to enjoy reading while improving their reading skills. Although the primary focus is on reading, the children also receive help with mathematics, science and social studies. In addition to the after school tutoring program, club participants also enjoy field trips at least once each quarter and a week-long summer arts enrichment camp.

Our Emerging Young Leaders Program, affectionately referred to as the Sarah Wise Wooten Young Ladies Academy (SWWYLA) strives to encourage positive self-imaging, develop leadership skills and promote positive community involvement for middle school girls residing primarily in the Suitland community, although the program is open to any Prince George’s County resident. The Academy meets on the first Saturday of each month at Drew Freeman Middle School from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

From 2006-2009, the program was funded by a Community Development Block Grant awarded to Charities by the Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development. In addition, special grants from former Council Member Camille Exum afforded the opportunity for the young ladies to participate in a summer weekend retreat during 2009 and 2010. In 2011, the retreat was supported by a grant from Council Member Karen R. Toles.

 

Click below to download additional information:

• Emerging Young Application Checklist and Instructions


• Emerging Young Leaders Information Sheet


• Emerging Young Leaders Program Information Guide

 

The goal of the Institute for the Growth and Development of all America’s Youth is to promote the personal, social, and cultural growth and development of young people to empower them to build self-esteem, improve their academic status, and develop the appropriate social skills to be successful in life. The program is held on the first Saturday of each month at Drew Freeman Middle School from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. The young people enrolled in the program are referred to as Institute GADAAY Fellows. The Institute GADAAY accepts: Male GADAAY Fellows who are in 7th – 12th grades and Female GADAAY Fellows who are in 9th -12th grades.

 

For additional information about this program, download the following:

• Institute GADAAY's Schedule & Application


• GADAAY Fellow Testimonies


• www.gadaay.com

In addition to these activities, Charities provides shoes, clothes and school supplies to needy families; support to the elderly; and financial empowerment training for youth and adults. We also promote healthy living through direct giving, participating in health-related benefits, providing resource materials to youth and families, and partnering with local efforts like All Shades of Pink which supports breast cancer survivors and warriors.

The Parents On Track initiative supports the Ivy League activities for youth by providing workshops targeted at parents. The workshops are intended to empower parents with the tools, resources and confidence to support their children and help them to progress through life successfully. The parents meet monthly at Drew Freeman Middle School during the same time that the youth meet on the first Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

• October - Parents on Track Newsletter