When you think about community development corporations, many people think affordable housing. When you look at a community, housing is the first visible thing you see that measures the health of that community. When you look at funding for community development activities there is more funding for housing than any other activity. Like most community development corporations, Highland Park Community Development Corporation began its journey addressing the housing needs in the community. But, it became abundantly clear very early on that housing was not the only need that had to be addressed.
As we marketed the homes that we had rehabilitated, the first question was and still is about the neighborhood school. Overby Sheppard Elementary school is two blocks down the street from our office and is the only school in the Highland Park neighborhood. It was designed based on the open classroom model touted in the 1970's that is now known to be ineffective. The school had many challenges, including serving a population of children who lived in poverty and worst yet, who lived in conditions that were not fit for human habitation.
In 2003, the school had not yet reached accreditation under Virginia's SOL program, despite the earnest and tireless efforts of the teachers, students, principal and parents. In a system that includes many more schools than Overby Sheppard, its difficult to get the attention of the school board to make the changes and commit the resources that we knew were necessary at Overby Sheppard. After discussions with the principal, we made a plan and sought resources to help carry it out. The school needed help with literacy and not just student literacy but family literacy. The Bee-A-Reader program was born. With the help of Phillip Morris and the Robins Foundation, this afterschool program has been expanded to math and supports 92 students and their parents.
Highland Park CDC's role in securing funding and administering this program has been key to the success the students and their parents have achieved. In 2004 Overby Sheppard was accredited. To celebrate that success, the Richmond Braves, through their Brave's Buddies Ticket Donation Program, have provided all the students and parents in the program an opportunity to attend a Brave's home game.
Many thanks to Phillip Morris, the Robins Foundation, and Ben Terry with the Richmond Braves for believing in children and all they can achieve when given a chance.
To the volunteers who gave of themselves, who read to a child, who donated their books, your gift will last a life time.
A special tribute to Susan Stokes, principal and all the teachers at Overby Sheppard for not giving in or giving up.
http://richmond.k12.va.us/schools/overbysheppard/And to Vincent Edmunds, Highland Park CDC's Community Programs Manager, you are a treasure.
Wallica Gaines
Executive Director
Highland Park CDC
