Community Partnerships Program
At Friends School of Baltimore, we believe education extends beyond the classroom. The Upper School Community Partnerships Program is a cornerstone of our commitment to being in and of Baltimore. It connects students with organizations that align with our values of stewardship, active citizenship, and systemic justice, offering service opportunities that foster meaningful relationships and lifelong learning.
About the Program
An Enduring Passion for Service
Since our founding in 1784, Friends School has been deeply committed to the communities of Baltimore.
Through carefully cultivated partnerships with organizations like My Sisters' Place, CARES, GEDCO, Habitat for Humanity, and Soccer Without Borders, we provide students with authentic opportunities to serve and learn from organizations dedicated to positive change.
The program emphasizes service learning, integrating academic work with real-world experience. It encourages students, faculty, and families to cultivate a lifelong sense of responsibility to give back.
Mission
The Upper School Community Partnership Program is rooted in our Quaker values, fostering active citizenship. By supporting organizations that address social, economic, environmental, educational, and physical justice, students have the opportunity to practice reflective, hands-on service that impacts the broader community.
Program Philosophy
This program was intentionally created to align with our broader commitment to the city of Baltimore. Every organization we partner with is chosen based on their alignment with our mission. These partnerships are built on deep, sustained relationships, ensuring that we are addressing the needs of the community while providing students with valuable experiences.
Key elements of the program's philosophy include:
- Commitment to community needs: We prioritize organizations that rely on consistent, long-term volunteer support, recognizing the importance of making a reliable commitment to these partners.
- Student engagement: Each organization must outline how many students they can accommodate at a given time and offer a variety of roles across areas like arts, sports, hunger relief, academics, homelessness, and environmental work. We aim to ensure that the experience is productive and fulfilling for both students and the organizations they serve.
- Face-to-face connections: At least half of each student’s service hours must be direct service, fostering personal connections and understanding of the organization's work. Students who visit partner organizations gain deeper insights into their operations and impact.
- Inclusion and flexibility: The program is designed to be inclusive, offering opportunities that accommodate students who are unable to participate in person, such as online tutoring or summer service.
"Helping out the community is so simple and does not take much. Making casseroles has inspired me to do more community service work. Even though I have finished my requirement, that does not mean I should stop helping the community. My mom and I have made a plan when where there is a long weekend we will make casseroles."
- Leigh Raybun '23,
Volunteered at My Sister's Place
Program Requirements
To fulfill the graduation requirement, students must:
- Volunteer exclusively at approved partner organizations
- Complete at least 50 hours of service, including:
- At least 25 hours must be direct service - where the student directly with a community member
- The other 25 hours can be direct or indirect service (e.g. fundraising or off-site advocacy)
- Write a 350-word reflection about their experience
Partner organizations include the following:
"I participated in [Meals on Wheels]'s teenage ambassador program, where I did both physical labor for MoW as well as advocacy. I learned about food deserts and mental health issues that affect homebound people as well as MoW's initiatives to address these problems. The experience helped me bond with other Baltimore teens as well as cause me to be more attentive to the problems that aren't so visible in our community."
- Suwen Ren '24,
Volunteered with Meals on Wheels (MoW)
Why Baltimore is Your Classroom
When Friends is your school, Baltimore is your classroom. Our program builds upon deep, ongoing partnerships with organizations across the city, allowing students to contribute to innovative work in diverse areas. Through these experiences, students will:
- Make meaningful connections and collaborate across boundaries.
- Contribute to the greater good through service.
- Develop essential skills for life beyond campus.
Guided by the Quaker values of community and stewardship, we inspire students to embrace their roles as active citizens and partners in the city's growth.