Venture Philanthropy Partners (VPP) announced a $1.5 million, multi-year investment partnership with the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) to support the LAYC, including establishing a new site in Prince George's County in a unique partnership with the Archdiocese of Washington, headed by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. A separate $1.25 million pledge from The Fernandez Foundation (established by VPP co-founder Raul Fernandez and his wife, Jean Marie) to the Cardinal's capital campaign will help strengthen the Archdiocese-LAYC effort.

As part of its strategic business plan, the LAYC is expanding its operations into Maryland, including sites in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, to better meet the needs of children and youth in a demographically changing National Capital Region. This multi-site expansion effort is called the Maryland Multicultural Youth Center.

The Archdiocese selected the LAYC as its primary partner to execute the LAYC's proven youth development model at the Archdiocese's future Langley Park Family and Youth Opportunity Center—the only one of its kind in the Diocesan network and this region. Cardinal McCarrick's leadership was instrumental in moving forward with building the Langley Park Center in an area of great need and a critical element of the Cardinal's broader campaign for the region.

The $1.25 million pledge by The Fernandez Foundation to the Cardinal's Forward in Faith campaign will help support the Archdiocese's Langley Park Center (see related story). This leveraged funding will greatly increase the effectiveness and impact of VPP's investment partnership with the LAYC by helping strengthen the communities served by the LAYC's expansion. Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of ObjectVideo, serves on the VPP board, and he and his wife are founding investors in VPP.

LAYC Executive Director Lori Kaplan said of the planned expansion to Maryland, "Support from VPP provides a firm foundation from which the LAYC can expand its services to new sites to stem gang-related violence and address other issues facing today's youth in the region."

The ribbon-cutting for the LAYC's new Montgomery County site was held November 28.

Background on LAYC and its Expansion
Founded in 1974, the LAYC is a network of youth centers, schools, and social enterprises that provides comprehensive and culturally sensitive social services to multicultural youth, many of whom are first- and second-generation immigrants. Through its support services, advocacy efforts, and educational and employment opportunities, the LAYC has helped thousands of youth and their families to live, work, and study with dignity and hope.

Because of its rich history and demonstrated performance in addressing the needs of diverse communities, the LAYC and its leader, Lori Kaplan, are well-respected in the community and are sought after to expand its services to other areas of the National Capital Region. Overall, the region has recently experienced a significant shift in population demographics, resulting in a misalignment of social services providers related to new areas of need.

Carol Thompson Cole, VPP's Managing Partner, praised the LAYC's efforts: "Because of its successful track record and strategic plan for growth, the LAYC is well-positioned to increase the number of youth and families served with quality programs in these critical areas, specifically Prince George's and Montgomery Counties, and to address key issues impacting these communities, including gang-related violence, an issue growing in urgency throughout the region and an area where the LAYC is seen as a leader in intervention strategies."

As the first stage of the LAYC's Maryland expansion, the LAYC has hired a Managing Director for Maryland, Luisa Montero-Diaz, who has more than 20 years of experience managing projects locally, nationally, and internationally in grants and program development, contract management, and training program design.

Locally, Montero-Diaz has worked for the District of Columbia government, first as Director of the Resource Development Unit in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, then as Deputy Director for the Office of Partnerships and Grants Development in the Executive Office of the Mayor, and internationally she has managed a USAID project that provided training to more than 1,100 Central Americans in a variety of technical areas. Her bicultural heritage, substantial overseas experience, and deep understanding of local government will greatly enhance her ability to work with diverse populations, which will be key to the LAYC's success in the Maryland expansion.

Background on VPP-LAYC Partnership
The investment partnership with the LAYC is a total VPP commitment of $1,825,000, (which includes $325,000 VPP provided in capital to support the business planning process completed in March 2004). During the first phase of the multi-year investment partnership, VPP will provide funding and strategic assistance to the LAYC to begin the expansion into Maryland, to enhance and strengthen the organization through the development and implementation of an effective outcomes measurement system, and to develop the core leadership team to facilitate the effective expansion of services for the LAYC's growing regional multi-site organization. Under the terms of this agreement, $320,000 in funding will be disbursed to the LAYC in the first year, with the remaining $1,180,000 in funding contingent upon the LAYC's achievement of annual milestones over the remaining term of the investment partnership.

Kaplan remarked on the opportunities she sees for the organization and the youth it serves saying, "As a result of the business planning process, we were able to clearly identify the areas in which we need to focus to reach our aspirations. It's exciting to be able to respond to the changing needs of the diverse group of youth in such concrete ways."

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Fernandez Foundation Recognizes Synergy with $1.25M Grant

The synergy between the Archdiocese of Washington and VPP investment partner, the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC), in establishing a youth center in Prince George’s County presented Raul and Jean Marie Fernandez with a unique opportunity to put their philanthropic dollars in a place near and dear to their hearts. It was a chance to help children, support the work of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick whom they greatly admire, and help two strong organizations further their efforts in the communities they serve.

“[Our philanthropy] starts with the things we care about: the DC Region, education, and leveling the playing field for children, so that they can have the same opportunities that we have had,” said Raul Fernandez, co-founder of Venture Philanthropy Partners. Raul, whose parents and sister immigrated to the US from Cuba, has a particular interest in helping recent Hispanic immigrants and their children. He and his wife also have a deep connection to the Catholic Church and the positive impact it can have in people’s lives. It was a church-run program that helped Raul’s family leave Cuba in 1962. More recently, he says, he has been impressed by the leadership of Cardinal McCarrick.

“The Cardinal has made the commitment to deliver religious services as well as many other types of services to the immigrant community, often forgotten by our elected officials and many organizations,” Raul says.

The Fernandez Foundation has pledged $1.25 million to the Cardinal’s Forward in Faith campaign, which will support a new youth center in Langley Park to be created in partnership with LAYC. (see related story) This gift builds on Raul and Jean Marie’s commitment to and involvement in improving the lives of children in the National Capital Region. They have channeled their support to a number of organizations with their biggest investments made to Archdiocese’s Center City Consortium, which strengthens inner city Catholic Schools in DC, and to VPP.

It was through VPP that Raul and Jean Marie first became aware of LAYC’s plans for expansion in Langley Park. Raul took a special interest in the Langley Park center because he lived nearby as a child and knew the area well.

“I grew up in Silver Spring, not far from where this center will be located. Especially during my junior high years, I remember riding my bike and hanging out with friends in the area. One thing that hits me now, every time I go to Langley Park, is the number of workers standing on the streets waiting to get jobs every day, all of this within eight miles of the US Capitol. It’s not in the best interest of our community for people not to have work or opportunity.”

After learning of VPP’s plans to support LAYC’s expansion into Maryland and its planned partnership with the Diocese, Raul suggested that it might be helpful to meet with the Cardinal to learn more of the Diocese’s plans and provide the Cardinal greater background on LAYC and VPP. At the subsequent dinner with Cardinal McCarrick, VPP Chair Mario Morino, and LAYC Executive Director Lori Kaplan, Raul heard the Cardinal describe in greater detail the Diocese’s plan for this new Center in Langley Park. Raul’s knowledge of LAYC through his work at VPP as well as his admiration of the Cardinal and his commitment to helping immigrants spurred Raul and Jean Marie to make this gift.

“The overlap between the Archdiocese and VPP/LAYC has been terrific. My involvement with VPP has made me think about the right questions to ask when looking at organizations to fund and has given me guiding principles to apply to my own philanthropy. There are great organizations that have been direct recipients of VPP investments. And there are other organizations like the Catholic Church that are making significant efforts to address common problems,” he says.

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Investment Partner Updates

AALEAD Has Busy November and December

Thanks to Sandy Dang, Executive Director, for this update.

Asian American LEAD held its Eighth Annual Holiday Party on December 16, 2005, at All Souls Church. Staff decided to continue the carnival theme introduced at last year’s party. Youth from the High School Program, along with other volunteers, supervised the games and distribution of gifts for all of the kids 13 and under. Game stations were set up for children to play prior to receiving presents from Santa Claus, and it was evident by the shouts of “Wow!” and “Cool!” that they liked their gifts. Traditional Vietnamese foods, such as spring rolls and noodles, were served.

On November 8, 2005, Nhai Nguyen stood on the steps of Capitol Hill to speak out against the proposed budget that would severely cut vital social programs that support the nations low- and middle-income citizens. Nguyen’s testimony was part of a press conference organized by the TriCaucus, a coalition of the Congressional Hispanic, Asian Pacific American, and Black Caucuses. Nguyen has been an AALEAD Board member for six years. She came to this country as a refugee in 1991 with limited job and language skills. As the sole breadwinner in a household of five children and a disabled spouse, Nguyen has provided her family yearly medical checkups, sufficient food, and a more stable life with the assistance of federal programs. With this support, she has raised a successful family, with three children currently in college.

On December 26, 2005, AALEAD learned that its founding chairman of the board Robert (Bob) Pearce Myers died of cancer. Bob spent the last 10 years helping the District’s Vietnamese American children and families and, at the same time, building Asian American LEAD. According to Executive Director Sandy Dang, “He loved AALEAD’s youth as his own children and he made a significant contribution in finding us a permanent community center we can call home in Columbia Heights. Our center will honor Bob’s spirit and continue to carry out the work that he did throughout his lifetime.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Funding Update

Thanks to Tanzi West, Director of Communications, for this update.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) is proud to announce a new partnership with the Freddie Mac Foundation. The Freddie Mac Foundation has pledged to invest $1,500,000 in BGCGW over the next two years. This award will support education programming in all 12 clubs in the District of Columbia and summer camp activities at Camp Brown, the overnight camp in Southern Maryland. The Freddie Mac Foundation will also provide lead sponsorship for BGCGW’s Congressional Dinner, Come On Home Alumni Gala, Icon Event, and enhanced communication efforts.

Additional foundation support includes $25,000 from the NBC Universal Foundation for educational programming at the Ballou High School Branch and $25,000 from the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation for a riverfront clean-up project and film documentary of the history of the Anacostia River and its impact on the surrounding community.

Under the leadership of co-chairs Bobby Mills and Warren Belmar, BGCGW was awarded $3,773,364 in government funding for club operations, which increases BGCGW’s revenue from government sources over last fiscal year by more than $2,000,000. This funding is designated for the support and expansion of programs at clubs at Orr Elementary (Germantown), FBR (within THE ARC) and Carteret Mortgage Branch (Manassas) and for gang prevention programs at Metropolitan Police Clubhouses and clubs in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.


CFNC’s Mason Named Washingtonian of the Year

Thanks to Susan Francis, Director of Development, for this update.

Barbara Fox Mason, CFNC Founder and Executive Director, was named a 2005 Washingtonian of the Year. According to the Washingtonian, awardees are “those who make the region a better place for all of us.” One of 15 honorees, Mason was recognized for her tireless efforts on behalf of impoverished children and families. According to Mason, “I only have the kids for so long; I have to impact the family, too.” The awardees will be honored at a luncheon on January 17, and CFNC will sponsor an Open House that same day from 5 to 7 pm at its Birchmere location to honor Mason and CFNC’s work. Anyone interested in attending should contact Kate Lyng at CFNC at 703-836-0214, ext. 234.

Mason also spoke to 35 journalists from around the country at the Journalism Fellowships in Child and Family Policy conference in December. The Fellowship Program, directed through the University of Maryland, is intended to deepen journalists’ understanding of issues related to children of immigrants, the education of young children, and measures of child and family well-being.

CFNC’s families received generous gifts over the holiday season. Capitol One, a long-time supporter of CFNC, transformed its cafeteria into a winter wonderland including volunteers donning reindeer antlers. Activities for the kids included “ice” fishing, a bean bag toss, assorted crafts, and a photo station complete with a holiday fireplace and stockings. Capitol One also provided each child with a new winter coat. Coats for Kids distributed 180 new coats for the siblings of CFNC’s pre-school children right before the holidays. INOVA Alexandria Hospital employees provided 138 sets of winter clothing that included hats, scarves, mittens and/or gloves With assistance from the Potomac School, Temple Rodef Shalom, and the Bienvenidos Tutoring and Mentoring Program at T.C. Williams High School, CFNC provided winter clothing to approximately 80 families in early December.

CFNC’s annual Holiday Adopt-A-Family program provided holiday gifts to families through the generosity of many churches and individuals, including Immanuel on the Hill, Old Presbyterian Meeting House, Old Presbyterian Preschool, Westminster Presbyterian, St. Paul’s Resurrection, and Blue Consulting. The entire effort is organized each year by CFNC board member, Dagobert Soergel. A major fire nearly gutted Soergel’s house only a week before Christmas, and many of the gifts purchased for the families were destroyed. Soergel was undeterred and, through an outpouring of financial and volunteer support from the community, gifts were quickly replaced.


CentroNía Conference Focuses on Literacy Skills

Thanks to Isabel Barranzuela, Communications Associate, for this update.

“Talking and listening to children as much as possible is the easiest and most important way to develop their literacy skills and prepare them for school,” said Diane Trister Dodge, President of Teaching Strategies, Inc. and author of over 30 books on education, as part of the welcome panel during a literacy conference presented by CentroNía on Saturday, December 3, 2005. The audience was surprised when Dodge added: “You should talk to your children in your home language: English, Spanish, Chinese, Swahili…because it really doesn’t matter what you are saying but that they are being exposed to the language.”

The purpose of Literacy Conference: A Priority for Everyone is to make sure that children and families are developing the literacy skills necessary to succeed in life. Marie Johns, former President and CEO of Verizon, remarked, “As parents, students, and community members, we have the responsibility of encouraging and supporting literacy because an engaged community is an empowered community, which is the foundation for a greater city and a greater future.”

This first conference, sponsored by Scholastic, focused on early childhood—from newborn to five-years-old—with an emphasis on bilingual education. Although some think that literacy begins when children become school-aged, in reality, the foundation for strong thinking and communication skills begins at birth. Also, children whose first language is not English face special challenges. “The earlier parents and caregivers can begin to instill strong literacy skills, the better chance children have of doing well in school and life,” says Dr. Sandra Barrueco, Assistant Professor of Psychology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and Vice President and Co-Founder of the National Center for Latino Child and Family Research.

Eileen Wasow, Executive Deputy Director, highlighted the importance of overcoming the old cultural concept of a good kid is a kid that is quiet. “Nowadays, we need to have more interaction in classes and encourage our own children to speak instead of teach them to be quiet as we used to do before,” she stressed.

Workshops geared towards teachers, administrators, and parents offered different perspectives. Educators gained a broader awareness of the many social and cultural issues connected with early childhood literacy, particularly in communities for which English is a second language; parents discovered fun and simple ways to begin cultivating a love for learning in their children, and community providers and policy makers learned ways to influence education policy and implement proven programs to increase literacy in their communities. Mexican author and songwriter José-Luis Orozco closed the conference engaging the audience with a number of adjective songs and call-and-response participation, illustrating the point that literacy doesn’t simply mean learning letters and studying grammar. With music, culture, and story, literacy can be a fun part of every day life.

The series includes two more conferences in 2006. The next conference, slated for May 20, will emphasize family involvement and bilingual education, and the third conference, to take place in the fall, will focus on school-age children. BB Otero, Executive Director, said, “These conferences are a way to achieve one of CentroNía’s goals, which is to work hard in closing the achievement gap and assure that all children are ready for school and we are very optimistic about it.”


College Summit Receives Social Capitalist Award
Thanks to Omar Garriott, Senior. Coordinator of Marketing Strategy and Public Policy, for this update.

For the third year in a row, College Summit has been selected as a winner of the prestigious 2006 Fast Company/Monitor Group Social Capitalist Award—honoring the “top 25 groups changing the world.” Each year since the award’s inception, College Summit—with six sites across the country and several additional potential new communities—has been named one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations. College Summit was one of only ten groups to have been honored with the award all three years. An organizational profile and winner’s statement can be viewed on the Fast Company website.

These awards honor socially entrepreneurial organizations that combine “creativity, ingenuity, and passion” with “business acumen that their for-profit brethren would do well to imitate” to address the most challenging social problems confronting today’s world. College Summit was selected after a rigorous process that began with 240 nominees and is featured in the January 2006 issue of Fast Company.

Also, at the end of February, College Summit will convene its second annual “Administrators Summit,” bringing together superintendents and principals from around the country. It is also its 10th Anniversary Gala, celebrating over ten years of serving students, to be emceed by Oscar-nominated actor Don Cheadle and honoring College Summit board member and leading financial thinker Art Samberg. Both events will be held in the New York City area.


Four Friendship-Collegiate Seniors Awarded National Posse Scholarships

Thanks to Barry Lofton, Director of Communications, for this update.

The Posse Foundation awarded four Friendship Public Charter School-Collegiate Academy high school seniors with four-year college scholarships valued at more than $100,000 each. The scholarships were presented at the Second Annual Posse DC Awards Ceremony on December 21.

In the fall of 2006, Tryvon Jackson and LaMika Robinson will attend Lafayette College in Iowa, Dominic Lee will attend Grinnell College also in Iowa, and Rajaa Qadri will attend Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. Overall, nine Collegiate seniors were finalists from over 700 public and private school applicants in the Washington metropolitan area. This year, Collegiate has the greatest number of DC Posse recipients.

“Our Posse Scholars are highly-motivated student leaders who are passionate about making a meaningful contribution” said Dr. Arsallah Shairzay, Dean of the Early College at Friendship-Collegiate. “Each student has shown remarkable perseverance, balancing Collegiate’s rigorous high school curriculum with college-level work and exploring interests in areas of law, dance, and science. We are confident they will dedicate the same fortitude and enthusiasm for learning to successfully complete their four-year degree.”

Three of the Collegiate Posse Scholars are second-year Early College students. In 1994, Collegiate founded the District’s first Early College program in partnership with the University of the District of Columbia, the Gates Foundation, and the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Students can earn a maximum 60 college credits while completing high school diploma requirements. All four Posse Scholars have matriculated within the Friendship system for at least two years.


Heads Up's Year of Innovation

Thanks to Michelle deBaroncelli, Development Manager, for this update.

Heads Up recently completed a year of innovation. It transformed its academic program to increase instructional time with students by 70%, focused on new schools, and added test-preparation curriculum. As 2006 gets underway, Heads Up plans to continue its proven academic enrichment programming, launch a significant evaluation program, and most notably, celebrate and commemorate its tenth anniversary.

Behind the scenes, several new faces joined the Heads Up board, including Leonard Massie, principal of a Heads Up partner schools, LaSalle Elementary; Geoffrey Garin, President of Peter D. Hart Research Associates; Gwendolyn Dungy, Executive Director of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators;Ray Vicks, partner with Price WaterhouseCoopers; and Leah Gansler, founder of the Northern Virginia volunteer organization CharityWorks.


LAYC Reflects on 2005

Thanks to Lori Kaplan, Executive Director, for this update.

Executive Director Lori Kaplan said, “As the fun, laughter, hugs, photos with Santa in our beautiful Santa’s workshop, dancing, eating, and ‘holiday happenings’ fill the halls of the annual LAYC youth and family holiday party, I reflect on the spirit of the season and the new year ahead! Giving and supporting others made the holiday season at the LAYC special.”

The LAYC began its seasonal holiday activities during Thanksgiving with 100 turkeys from a generous donor, Mr. Abdou and his friends and colleagues. Others who provided for Center students and families during the holidays included Millie Perez and family who organized events that fed hundreds of people and supplied gifts for all; the American Association of Physics Teachers, Leadership Greater Washington, the Landmark Companies, Covington & Burling, and Toys for Tots which gave toys for children and youth; the Inter-American Development Bank and El Zol which made financial contributions, and McDonalds which donated a brand new library to the LAYC full of bilingual books for children and youth to enjoy.

In 2005, youth at LAYC Centers and charter school students won awards and scholarships, traveled throughout the country visiting colleges and representing the LAYC at conferences and seminars, found secure and loving foster and residential homes, re-built homes for others, returned to schools, learned to read and thrive in supportive, engaging and challenging educational charter school settings, graduated from high school, became the first in their family to go to college, obtained their GED, excelled in a job setting, created beautiful art work and dance, provided thousands of hours of community service, received counseling support, testified on Capitol Hill and City Council, and made many important decisions—the right choices. LAYC’s strategic plan states its job is to insure that young people travel paths towards successful young adulthood and to support them and their families in their journey. Many miles were traveled in 2005 as the LAYC expanded into Maryland, piloted the city’s first Evening Reporting Center for youth involved in the juvenile justice system, developed an outcomes evaluation and data systems, transformed the Youthbuild program into a public charter school. More is planned for 2006.


Mary's Center's WIC Program Pilots New Automation Process

Thanks to Lyda Vanegas, Communications Officer, for this update.

Mary's Center WIC (Women, Infant and Children) Program has been selected by the District WIC Agency as the test site for a computerized automation process that will be implemented by nearly 20 WIC sites located across the District.

WIC is a federal nutritional program that provides food vouchers for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children from 0 to five years old.

This new automation project will allow the Mary's Center WIC Program to generate its own vouchers for clients, replacing a slower process involving a third-party data collection company. This will make services faster and more comfortable for program participants.

"With automation, our records are more accurate and the vouchers are printed with fewer errors. We also have been able to solve problems regarding the vouchers in a shorter period of time," says Anne Spaulding, Mary's Center WIC Program Director.

Since the pilot automation project started, US Department of Agriculture representatives have visited Mary’s Center to review the accuracy of the process. A final evaluation of the pilot will be given by mid-January. If the new process is approved, as is expected, the WIC sites at Children's National Medical Center and at Howard University will be the next locations to be automated.


See Forever Foundation/MAPCS Hosts Accreditation Team and Names New Board Member

Thanks to Stacey Miller, Director of Development, for this update.

On November 17, 2005, the Middle States Evaluation Team recommended Maya Angelou Public Charter School (MAPCS) for full accreditation. It is expected that the Middle States Commission will approve the recommendation when it meets in the spring, and MAPCS will continue working to implement its goals during the seven-year accreditation period. All DC public charter schools are required to pursue accreditation and MAPCS was one of the first DC charter schools accepted for candidacy by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. The successful accreditation validation visit was the culmination of the hard work of the entire community. The AFG Validation Team commented on the dedication, commitment, and extraordinary energy of staff, students, parents, and board members. Maya Angelou Public Charter School began the Accreditation for Growth process last year and hosted a seven-person validation team from November 14-17. The team reviewed Maya Angelou programs, visited both campuses, and spoke with students, teachers, parents, and board members. Both campuses met all 12 standards outlined by the accrediting body, and the formal decision will be announced in the spring of 2006.

The See Forever Board of Directors welcomes its newest member, Eileen Bramlet. Prior to joining the board, Bramlet had a prolific career at AOL where she first began working in the late 1980s, when the company was still called Quantum Computer Services. During her early tenure, she worked as a producer for People Connection, the liaison to Apple Computer, Inc., and the General Manager for the AOL Greenhouse, where she managed the day-to-day operations for this group, as well as new talent development, people management for a 60-person technical and creative group, PR activities, and relationships with its partners. Following two years with the Greenhouse, Eileen spent the next four years working for AOL International Services as its Vice President, helping to develop new businesses around the globe while focusing on both Technology and Creative/Content development. During this time, Eileen simultaneously worked as the Creative and Content Vice President for AOL Latin America during its initial set-up in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. She then undertook the role of Senior Vice President with responsibility for the success of AOL Europe. During her most recent role at AOL, Bramlet spearheaded the 200-person Studio@AOL team from an Operations/Production/Design/User Interface perspective, maintaining responsibility for a group that created the front-end designs (as well as the backend engineering) for 90% of the AOL service. Upon leaving AOL to focus on her family and philanthropic interests, she also taught English/Writing on a part-time basis at Northern Virginia Community College. She has also done consulting work in the event planning arena, spearheading more than 30 corporate, philanthropic, and private events in the past year.

“Eileen brings a wealth of experience to the board, and we are delighted to have her as part of the team,” David Domenici, Executive Director, said.


SEED Welcomes New Team Member

Thanks to Elizabeth Frazier, Director of Communications, for this update.

The SEED Foundation is pleased to announce that Michael Robbins has joined the SEED team as the Director of New Schools Development for Washington, DC. He has years of experience developing and managing community-based and national initiatives that improve the futures of young people.

Robbins has served as Director of Operations for FIRST, a multinational nonprofit that encourages students’ interest in science and technology. He also developed a national program to protect children from childhood lead poisoning and directed an employment program for juvenile offenders at the Shriver Center in Baltimore.

He next served as a program officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service in Washington, DC, during the development and launch of AmeriCorps. He then worked as a case manager for an advocacy and supervision program for at-risk youth in Prince George’s County. Robbins holds a bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College and master’s degrees in business administration and public management from the University of Maryland, where he focused on nonprofit administration and social entrepreneurship.

One of his first initiatives as Director of New Schools Development is to form a community advisory board for the proposed second SEED school in Washington, DC.

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