Educate
It is no secret that education is a powerful antidote to poverty. Yet the schools in our neighborhood are seeing their budgets cut and community centers where afterschool programs once thrived have been closed. In Pontiac, as many as 37% of adults over 25 do not have a GED. Enter the Baldwin Center’s education focused programs.
After School Enrichment
We believe kids need a safe, warm place to “come home to” after school every day. During the school year, our state licensed program welcomes over 60 neighborhood elementary and middle school students. We offer a hot meal, tutoring, homework help, and enrichment and recreation activities. The volunteers in our program through make a tremendous difference in the lives of Baldwin kids.
Summer Enrichment Day Camp
Baldwin Center keeps kids learning and engaged with a 7-week summer program that draws more than 60 students from kindergarten through 6th grade. In the mornings we hold reading and math tutoring sessions, provide a healthy lunch, and then enjoy the afternoon with arts & crafts, outdoor sports, and field trips to area museums and outdoor attractions.
Overnight Camp
Through a partnership with Detroit Conference United Methodist Camps children from the summer enrichment program attend Camp Kinawind in Boyne Falls, MI. The youth are able to go hiking, swimming and enjoy a variety of traditional summer camp experiences in a small group setting.
Trips for Kids
Bike rides and trips to county parks are the highlights of summer for many kids, but inner city children seldom have the opportunity to experience them. Twice a month from May to November Baldwin’s Trips for Kids chapter organizes outings to that brings kids and mountain bikes together at local parks. REI of Troy donated brand new bikes to this program.
Urban Garden
This growing, youth-focused program combines lessons in horticulture and entrepreneurship. With guidance from master gardeners, our youth plan, prep and plant vegetable in our summer vegetable patch and our winter hoop houses. At harvest time, they sell their produce at local farmers markets.
Girl Scout Troop
By building strong girls, we are building a stronger future for our community. What better way to do that than to start a Brownie Troop for 2nd and 3rd grade girls right here at Baldwin Center. Ours is a new but growing band of courageous young women.
Adult Education
For adults, the first step toward a better future is passing the GED. We offer adult basic education classes and GED preparation to neighborhood adults. We also have a new computer lab that allows adults to work toward their adult education goals.
