A Message from Family League’s Interim President & CEO

Demaune Millard, Interim President & CEO

On my first day on the job as Interim President & CEO, my first appointment was an important one that I didn’t take lightly. I was a guest reader to an amazing group of young scholars at Collington Square Elementary/Middle School. The invitation was from the Freedom School, inspired by the Children’s Defense Fund as a program to build strong, literate, and empowered children prepared to make a difference in themselves, their families, communities, the nation, and the world today.

 

I consider time reading to my two-year-old as sacred to the point where she demands more books and more time especially before bed. Summer and after-school reading enrichment to children who might not otherwise have access to books plays a valuable role in curbing summer reading loss and closing achievement gaps. Thanks to Mayor Catherine Pugh and the City Council, Family League recently awarded grants to equip community based groups with opportunities to enhance their programs with supplies, trips, and worthwhile activities to contribute to a child’s summer experience.

 

As Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Dr. Santelises has begun sharing the school system’s new Blueprint, including its focus on Leadership, Wholeness and Literacy, we are proud to support programs through the Summer Funding Collaborative that incorporate reading time with the other fun aspects of being a kid during the summer.

Stay tuned:
In partnership with our Board of Directors, Family League will host listening sessions open to the public, to learn more about the family-related issues and priorities our communities care about. The dates are as follows. We’ll share more information about locations and other logistics in the near future.

 

Community Listening Sessions:
9/14/17 – 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
9/28/17 – 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
10/18/17 – 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
11/30/17 – 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

It is an honor to be the custodian of Family League for the next several months, and I want to thank you for your continued partnership during this important time. I also wish to thank those bright young minds participating in Elev8 Baltimore’s CDF Freedom School at Collington Square for making my first day on the job a great one.

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