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EBDI Provides Summer Fun for East Baltimore Youth
Baltimore Times
Originally posted 7/23/2004

BALTIMORE �A summer of fun and discovery for children is the goal
of the East Baltimore Development, Inc. (EBDI) plan to fund and
support summer activities for children who live in the East
Baltimore area currently undergoing a major revitalization. Over
the summer months, resident children can participate in activities
conducted with the National Aquarium of Baltimore, the Baltimore
Zoo, Morgan State University, Elmer Henderson Elementary School,
the Baltimore Office of Promotion of the Arts and the Johns
Hopkins Summer Jobs Program. 

�Children need quality summer activities that will engage and
broaden their life experiences,� says Jack Shannon, EBDI president
and CEO. �The summer program is another way we can support the
community, enrich children�s lives and further invest in the
future of residents and their families.� 

With EBDI�s assistance, 20 young people are participating in
activities like the National Youth Sports Camp conducted by Morgan
State University. In July, approximately 30 children and 10 adult
chaperones will visit the Baltimore Zoo for a day of fun and
exploration sponsored by Johns Hopkins. Community children will
also be able to participate in the Aquarium on Wheels program
funded by Annie E. Casey Foundation and held at the EBDI Resource
Center, as well as events at the National Aquarium downtown. 

In August, children from the Elmer A. Henderson Elementary School
will work with artist Jennifer Rattigan and Kids Scoop newspaper
youth editor, Nikea Redmond to paint a community mural that will
overlook the site of a proposed community playground at the East
Baltimore Resource Center. 

In addition to summer activities, EBDI along with community
leaders, educators, Baltimore City and Barnes and Noble Books is
sponsoring a book drive to benefit the Elmer A. Henderson
Elementary School. EBDI hopes to fill the empty shelves of the
school�s library with pledges from sponsors to �buy a bookshelf,�
or a �bookcase� or to purchase multiple books from a request list.
Elmer A. Henderson was one of 51 city elementary and middle
schools statewide to receive an award for its substantial and
sustained progress toward achieving state standards. EBDI
sponsored 39 children to attend summer school staffed by two
teachers to help community youth not to fall behind on their
studies.