Judge Katie O’Malley Visits City Springs for ERIN Talks Kick-off

City Springs Elementary/Middle School has enjoyed a multi-year-rich partnership with the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and their work around implementing the ERIN Talks program for middle-school aged Scholars. 

ERIN stands for Empathy, Respect, Integrity. No More Sexual Assault and was founded in 2019 by the Erin Levatis Foundation. The program was created in memory of Erin Levatis, a victim of sexual assault and, at the time of her death, was preparing to enter the Carey School of Law to advocate for survivors of sexual assault. 

The program at City Springs and in other Baltimore City Public Schools selects a specific grade within the middle school years to receive a series of ERIN Talk lessons focused on understanding healthy relationships. City Schools Board Member, Commissioner Ames Messinger has also been an integral part of the partnership over the past several years. 

The lessons are typically led by law students under the guidance of Nancy Schertzing, director, Restorative Approaches in Education, Center for Dispute Resolution at the Carey School. This year, Stephanie Watkins, the City Springs guidance counselor, has been trained to implement the ERIN Talks program alongside Ms. Shertzing and the law students for the 7th grade. 

On. Oct. 8, Judge Katie O’Malley visited City Springs to see the kick-off ERIN Talks session. She is CEO of the Women’s Law Center of Maryland, former Baltimore City District Court Judge, and First Lady of Maryland while her husband served as Governor from 2007 to 2015.

Thanks for visiting, Judge O’Malley, and thanks, Carey School of Business and Ms. Watkins, for bringing this important program to our Scholars.