PROJECT CHANGE is a youth/adult partnership organization dedicated to promoting opportunities for youth to be engaged in, contribute to, and be satisfied members of their community.
OUR VISION PC serves as a national model for youth-powered community improvement.
OUR VALUES Our partnership is based on the following Guiding Principles
We believe that positive youth development is the key to a safe and healthy community
We believe that effective partnerships are built on trust, consensus, and a collective belief in a common purpose
We believe that giving back is a civic responsibility |
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| Organization |
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PROJECT CHANGE is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization |
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Leadership of PROJECT CHANGE is shared by teens and adults |
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All PROJECT CHANGE activities are adult-supervised |
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Teens who join PROJECT CHANGE benefit in some or all of the following ways: |
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Gaining leadership experience |
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Learning new skills |
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Beginning a life-long commitment to community service |
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Making a difference in their community |
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Forming connections with community leaders (who may serve as |
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college and/or employment references) |
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Achieving a greater understanding of the work that goes into sustaining a community |
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Developing greater empathy for other people and their circumstances |
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Having fun in safe, teen-planned and adult-supervised activities |
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Earning Student Service Learning credits |
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HISTORY
| 1998 |
PC is founded by four Sherwood High School students to provide safe social activities for teens in the Olney, Maryland area. |
| 1999 |
PC receives both the National Safety Council Green Cross Award and the Greater Olney Civic Association (GOCA) Community Service Award. |
| 2000 |
PC receives the Olney Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award and is awarded a grant from the MGH Health Foundation. |
| 2001 |
PC launches “youth designed” website. |
| 2002 |
PC obtains 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation, and receives the Montgomery County “Drawing the on Under 21 Alcohol Use” Award. PC co-sponsors the “Challenge Day” workshop at Sherwood High School. |
| 2003 |
PC Co-President, Ellen Lent, receives the “Greater Olney Civic Association Citizen of the Year Award.” |
| 2005 |
PC receives a Youth Venture/Youth Service America Grant to launch You Have The Power! Bullying Prevention Peer Education Program (YHTP!) which later receives local, state, and national attention. The program is featured nationally on the PBS program In the Mix. PC is awarded a Carl M. Freeman Foundation Major Grant. |
| 2006 |
PC is invited to join the Olney Town Center Advisory Board and PC teen mentors are awarded Maryland General Assembly Legislative Citations in recognition of their work with YHTP! |
| 2007 |
PC Executive Director, Robyn Holstein-Glass, receives the “Greater Olney Civic Association Contribution to Community Award” |
| 2007 |
PC receives the Montgomery County Board of Education 11th Annual Distinguished Service to Public Education Award for its signature program, YHTP! |
| 2007 |
PC is awarded the Joshua M. Freeman Tribute Grant from the Carl M. Freeman Foundation |
| 2008 |
PC opens an office in Olney, MD |
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GUIDING PRINCIPLES
| Giving back to the community is the basis for every PC program.
We can build a better community with and for our youthby engaging teens as full and equal partners in creating and carrying out activities and programs.
Enhancing the quality of life for teens is a vital component of building and sustaining a healthy community. Improved teen lives will result in a much stronger community for residents of all ages.
Community service and philanthropy are inextricably linked and vital to the long-term health, progress and sustainability of our community.
By participating in the relationships, events, and institutions that affect their lives, teens develop and apply their capacity to transform themselves and the world around them. |
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OUR COMMUNITY
Olney, Maryland was ranked #17 by CNN/Money Magazine (2007) in its annual “Best Places to Live: Top 100"
Olney is among the communities that offer “the best combination of economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community.”
PROJECT CHANGE believes that enjoying the benefits of living in such a great community can inspire residents to show appreciation for those benefits by “paying it forward.” Teens especially have the energy and enthusiasm to give back to their community through community service and teen leadership.< |
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| Our Team |
Jimena Ryan, Chair
Director of Marketing, RAFFA, P.C
Karen Nakamura, Treasurer
CPA, L & M Produce
Stephanie Bryn, MPH
Capt., US Public Health Service; Child, Adolescent and Family Health
HRSA/Maternal and Child Health Bureau
Helene Rosenheim
Olney Community Liaison, Montgomery County Regional Services Center
Student Members
Kevin Takiar
Cassie Welch
Chris Toppe, PhD,
Senior Manager Nonprofit Strategy and Consulting
RAFFA, P.C.
Charles Rahmat Woods
Jazz Performer; Owner, Rahmat Shabazz Publishing
David Hickson
Head, Upper School, Sandy Spring Friends School
Mary Somers
Johns Hopkins University, Carey Business School
CALL FOR BOARD NOMINATIONS- 3 Seats Open
Skills Needed: Legal, Fundraising, Nonprofit Volunteer Management
PROJECT CHANGE Executive Staff
Robyn Holstein-Glass, Executive Director
Dorothy Kane, Program Manager
PROJECT CHANGE Youth Leadership
Josh DeMoya, President
Claire Hernandez, Vice President |
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