Happy Thanksgiving from ECSM
November 12, 2007 - Vol 1, Issue 1
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O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness! William Shakespeare

Election Night at The Club
This fall, the students at The Club at Collington Square have been involved in their very own electoral process to elect the new "mayor" of Collington Square. The project began after a photographic project, to create a photo-mosaic of the Collington Square area. Student debate teams were then formed to discuss the issues and concerns that arose from this snapshot of the neighborhood. The issues that the students chose to highlight took in everything from crime to neighborhood litter.

The teams formulated their policies, and presented them on Election Night to a packed hall of parents, volunteers, and community members. The two teams who tied for the highest number of votes have been invited to form a Youth Committee to serve at The Club. Masonic women's group Jerusalem Court #1 catered for the event which drew over 70 people from the neighborhood.

In the words of Julia DiBussolo, Co-Director of The Club - "Tonight, the Club became a place for families, food, celebration, and a chance for Club youth to speak their minds. The Mayor of Collington Square project encouraged Club kids to dream big, to think critically of the world around them, and to consider their own responsiblity in making their neighborhood a better place."
At 'The Ark'
'Spark for the Ark', a group of youths who have been raising money for ECSM's Ark preschool for homeless children, were honored this month at the Association of Fundraising Professionals annual awards luncheon.

'Spark for the Ark' is a group of industrious teens from St. James', Monkton - Tess Owen, Erin Firzhugh, Kathryn Bullard, Kellie Rogers and Meg Robins. They have been raising funds for The Ark by selling a collection of quality homemade crafts. To date, they have raised almost $5,000 for this worthy cause.

"One does not have to be advanced in years in order to exercise talent or be filled with compassion. The young women who created Spark for the Ark, and the beautiful items they sell, are an inspiration to many, including me. I am honored to support them and their work."
The Rev. Charlie Barton, Rector of St. James
Ark Student
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Combined Charity Campaign - 4074
Combined Federal Campaign - 47156
Maryland Charity Campaign - 0588

Volunteer!
Volunteer opportunities are available at all of our programs, from helping at The Ark by reading with the students, to working with the Club after school program on arts-based projects, to life-skills mentoring at Jericho.

More information is available from Mary Buchanan, Director of Volunteer Services, at 410 467 1264 or mbuchanan@ecsm.org.

Sincerely, All at ECSM
David O'Brien
Episcopal Community Services of Maryland

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