Living Classrooms Foundation (LCF) is a nonprofit organization that has worked since 1985 to provide a wide range of innovative educational programming for children and youth, at-risk populations, and the underemployed. Currently, the Foundation operates over 30 programs, serving more than 40,000 children and young adults per year. Utilizing maritime settings, community work sites and other challenging, real-world environments, and a low staff to student ratio, the programs emphasize the applied learning of academic, social, and employment skills. Key objectives of all Living Classrooms programs are career development, community service, elevating self-esteem, and fostering multicultural exchange.
Keywords: education,disadvantaged,at risk,learning,non profit,hands on,classrooms,maryland,baltimore,maritime, job training, youth, young adults, after school program, early intervention,
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
Living Classrooms Foundation was founded in 1985.
What is your primary product or service?
Living Classrooms Foundation is a non-profit organization, operated for the benefit of the community at large, providing hands-on education (including charter school operation) and job skills training for students from diverse backgrounds, with a special emphasis on serving at-risk youth and young adults. The Foundation uses maritime settings, community revitalization projects and other challenging learning environments, and a low staff to student ratio. Our “learning by doing” education programs emphasize the applied learning of math, science, literacy, history, economics, and ecology. Key objectives of all Living Classrooms programs are career development, community service, elevating self-esteem, and fostering multicultural exchange.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
Living Classrooms has developed a distinctive competency in experiential learning -- literally learning by direct experience -- or what we call “learning by doing.” These experiences take place at many “living classrooms” on our various campuses, including maritime museums and ships, and in neighborhood and community settings. We apply our “learning by doing” approach in three focus areas:
• providing education and employability training for youth and young adults living in high-risk environments
• facilitating learning experiences that inspire students to become true stewards of the environment
• educating the public about the significance of the region’s maritime heritage and its role in shaping who we are as a community and nation
While each of these focus areas is distinct, in combination they create a powerful synergy. Our maritime heritage programs create opportunities for employment training. Our environmental programs reach out to youth in underserved communities. Our employability programs create stronger communities that are better prepared to exercise environmental stewardship.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
Living Classrooms Foundation is headquartered in Baltimore, MD and expanded in 2001, to include Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region, which is based on the Anacostia River in Washington, DC. The Foundation has several campuses or "living classrooms" throughout both the Baltimore City and Washington, DC metro areas.
Provide detailed directions to your location
The Foundation's headquarters (Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park campus) are located at 1417 Thames Street Baltimore, MD 21231. Living Classrooms' mailing address (East Harbor Campus) is 802 S. Caroline Street Baltimore, MD 21231.
What type of payments do you accept?
Donations to Living Classrooms Foundation can be made online via our web site (www.livingclassrooms.org) or checks may be mailed to: Attn: Shannon Gossage, Living Classrooms Foundation, 802 S. Caroline Street Baltimore, MD 21231.
Which areas do you service?
The Foundation serves youth throughout the Baltimore and Washington, DC metropolitan areas. In addition, we serve schools throughout the state of Maryland and mid-Atlantic region with educational outreach and shipboard programming.
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