SHEPHERDS AND WOLVES LITERARY PROJECT, INC. 

Shepherds and Wolves Literary Project is a Maryland non-profit organization which I founded to enhance the lives of underprivileged children in Baltimore, through the study of the literary arts. My wish is to use these forms of art to improve literacy, language and communication skills in urban communities.

Literacy builds experience. Children expand their horizons through imagined experiences created through story-telling. They visit new places, gain new experiences and meet new people. They learn about the past as well as the present, and learn about a variety of cultures including their own. They discover the common goals and similar emotions found in people of all times and places.
Without the  experience of story-telling, art and drama, children never reach their potential of learning, understanding and self-acceptance. Multi cultural learning helps bridge the gaps created by racism, classism and poverty. Giving a child hope that he/she can achieve anything is part of Shepherds and Wolves Literary Project's mission.

Shepherds and Wolves Literary Project is a state recognized non-profit organization created to promote literacy, language and the love of literary arts to underprivileged children in Baltimore, MD. We believe that a sincere commitment to improving literacy in urban communities has lasting social and economic benefit. Shepherds and Wolves Literary Project believes – unequivocally – that there are no greater resources than our children and their future. By encouraging literacy, we hold the keys to this future.

Shepherds and Wolves Literary Project was created to encourage and communicate the necessity of literacy, learning and language. We strongly believe that the study of literary arts prompts the understanding of words, expression and usage, and is what we will use as our platform as we instruct through not only lessons and workshops but also using drama and visual arts to bring life into words. 


We will schedule weekly workshops using rental space at the Baltimore Parks and Recreation centers. These workshops will be run by volunteer teachers, students and professional who have agreed to dedicate their efforts to further the goals of the organization.

These programs will consist of afternoon group sessions of reading, writing and study in an atmosphere where we will emphasize communal support of each child and facilitator during the program. We will provide lunches for each child and parent who participates and will enter the child into a free lifetime membership into Shepherds and Wolves and will automatically qualify him/her for admission into future specially organized events.

The Shepherds and Wolves Project will operate year round. From April thru September will be the months when we are in full operational mode, holding our free workshops (25-30 youth members per year), scheduling special outdoor events, literary and drama festival and meeting with parents of children involved. In September we plan to hold our year end awards     ceremony, where we celebrate the achievements of the youth members who have completed workshops, been chosen for publication in our newsletter and shown enthusiasm in reading and learning about the benefits found in study of literary arts.

During the late fall and winter months, October-March, we will refocus our strategies on small publishing of literary works by area writers, enrolling, soliciting interest from local legislature and fundraising drives.

All funds received from funding will be used to support  the spring and summer programs directed towards area youth for rental fees at the Baltimore City Parks and Recreation centers, monthly lunch meals for our day long workshops and  computers.

The overall success of the program will be measured by youth member participation and commitments from parents and volunteers. The goals of Shepherds and Wolves Literary Project are as follows:

1. Increase the literacy rate in Baltimore City through our training techniques.
2. Encourage the love of reading and comprehension of the youth here.
3. Encourage the importance of quality communication skills in urban communities.
4. Promote the study of foreign language courses offered in schools
5. Develop and nurture young talent in reading and discourse.
6. Secure funding to sustain the activities which drive our purpose.
7. Instill the importance of understanding and appreciation of the literary arts in area youth.