Community Partners are essential to the ongoing work of the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP). We partner with numerous nonprofits across the region to assist the work of our BCP’s network of neighborhood conversion charter public schools. Our partners, like Bon Secours Community Works, improve the lives of students, teachers/staff, and families.
Bon Secours Community Works has partnered Frederick Elementary School for over five years, a continuation of Bon Secours’ enduring service to West Baltimore. In 1881, the Sisters of Bon Secours arrived in Baltimore from Paris to begin their work in the U.S. They opened their first hospital in the region in 1919 and served Baltimore City’s community health needs for a century through the Bon Secours Baltimore Hospital, which became Bon Secours Mercy Health in 2019.
Bon Secours Community Works, the community development arm of Bon Secours, was established in 1991. The nonprofit addresses the needs of the West Baltimore community in three core service areas: Economic Development; Youth and Family Services; and Housing and Community Development.
Frederick is one of four community schools in the neighborhood that partners with Bon Secours, explains Jeff Johnson, Community Schools program manager. Working collaboratively with Justin Brown, Community Coordinator at Frederick, Bon Secours provides a range of services from Student Academic and Wholeness Support and healthcare to working with families who are facing eviction or are unhoused.
At Frederick, Bon Secours:
Sponsors a Resource & School Choice Fair for Students/Parents and 5th Grade Graduation & Sneaker Ball Celebration for Bon Secours’ partner schools. - Hosts a “Principals’ Cohort” to strengthen the engagement and relationships between our Principals as well as to ensure the specific school needs and community needs are aligned with that of the Principal’s.
- Helps tackle the pressing chronic absenteeism challenge by funding Frederick’s Kids Korner Store.”To assist Principal Jackson with attendance incentives, we purchased school supplies and trinkets for the store,” explains Mr. Johnson. Kids earn the chance to “shop” for items, based on attendance. “Our Community School Coordinator also supports the school by making home visits or wellness checks for students who are chronically absent.”
- Hosts a father’s group called “A Few Good Men” for mentoring resources.
- Refers Frederick families to Bon Secours’ many emergency resources and services
- Hosts an Annual Teacher Appreciation event every May.
Every Frederick student and family may take advantage of the Bon Secours services at the nearby Bon Secours Community Resource Center, which was dedicated for the late Rep. Elijah Cummings in October 2024.
We have a huge amount of resources to share with schools. It makes for a stronger, safer community when resources are accessible, whether they be focused on students’ academics or parents’ needs. Bon Secours really points to the direct needs of the family. We are going to do whatever we can to fulfill whatever areas of support Frederick School needs.
Thank you, Bon Secours Community Works, for your wonderful support.
For more information, contact Bon Secours at Community_Works@bshsi.org.
Interested in partnering with BCP schools? Learn more and read about other community partners.
