Over the last four decades Living Classrooms Foundation has built and expanded impactful programs across Baltimore and Washington, DC. Our education, workforce development, health and wellness, and community safety programs are helping build safer and more resilient communities every day.

Our success and growth would not be possible without your partnership and generosity. Through your support Living Classrooms has been able to serve over 25,000 youth and adults this year as well as host over 450,000 visitors at our sites in both Baltimore and DC. However, Living Classrooms has endured significant federal and district funding cuts that directly impact our community. Programs such as Operation Respond, which provides resources to community members in Baltimore who have experienced gun violence, and critical green job training on Kingman and Heritage Islands in Washington, DC have been affected by these cuts.

We need your help, now more than ever, to maintain these programs and continue providing crucial resources to our communities. Supporting our Annual Fund ensures our ability to continue providing programming and resources. You can also support our Tomorrow's Promise Campaign, which sustains and scales our programs in both cities allowing us to expand and serve more community members.

Thank you for your continued support of our mission!

The Hank Entwisle Band and the Morgan State University Choir will perform at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall supporting Living Classrooms Foundation and our Ascend through Music Program. Ascend through Music provides free music education across Baltimore and Washington, DC, allowing students to express themselves and be creative. The concert will be held on February 28, 2026, at 8:00pm and will feature 80 voices and 40 instruments. We hope you will join us for a night of music and community fellowship. This event is free though you must register to attend. A suggested donation of $100 per person is encouraged and appreciated. Reserve tickets here.

To learn more about the Hank Entwisle Band and see past performances with the Morgan State University Choir, check out their website.

On December 4, Living Classrooms Trustee and Under Armour's founder and CEO, Kevin Plank, was honored with Living Classrooms' Legacy Award. The Legacy Award recognizes individuals whose exemplary leadership and dedicated service have significantly advanced the mission and impact of Living Classrooms Foundation. Under Armour and Living Classrooms have been partners for over 25 years fueling opportunities, building stronger communities, and inspiring the next generation through innovative programming. Under Armour has been the lead supporter of Living Classrooms' UA House at Fayette community center since first serving as the lead donor for the center's renovation nearly a decade ago.

Kevin's commitment to Living Classrooms' mission and Baltimore's communities has impacted countless lives, including one of our current Crossroads Charter School students and UA House at Fayette participant, Kyius Gross who spoke at the event: "Under Armour didn't just build a building, they built a place where kids like me can grow, try new things, and dream big. So, thank you Under Armour. And thank you, Mr. Plank, for believing in Baltimore and believing in us. Because of you, kids like me have a place that feels like home, and a place where our dreams can begin."

Historic Ships in Baltimore held a memorial ceremony aboard the Coast Guard Cutter on December 7th to honor those who served in World War II. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter WHEC-37 is the last warship still afloat to witness the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The ceremony included a volley salute, a memorial wreath drop performed by veterans of the ship, and Living Classrooms/Historic Ships staff member Brian Auer playing Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. Scout groups from Maryland and Virginia slept aboard the ship the night before, and then raised the flag during the ceremony. The keynote speaker was the 45th Commanding Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Yard, Captain Emily Tharp; and Delegate Mangioni emceed the event. We are grateful to all of the veterans for their sacrifice and service to our country.

On November 19, our Crossroads School welcomed Joy Thomas Moore back to our East Harbor campus for her second visit. Ms. Moore spoke with students about her new book, a collaboration with photographer Carol Highsmith that tells Maryland’s story through powerful images, and engaged students in a thoughtful Q&A.

Our middle schoolers came ready with great questions, asking about Ms. Moore’s writing process, her college experience, and what it has been like raising her son, Governor Wes Moore. Throughout the conversation, Ms. Moore encouraged students to take ownership of their own stories by making thoughtful, positive choices.

The visit was made even more meaningful by the presence of Crossroads alumni who had been students during Ms. Moore’s first visit in 2011. They shared their journeys since middle school, reflecting on their goals, challenges, and accomplishments. While their paths have been different, each echoed the same message of staying focused on personal goals and making choices that support them.

We are deeply grateful to Ms. Moore and our school community for creating a day full of encouragement, inspiration, and excitement for our Crossroads students.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our volunteers, Living Classrooms delivered 412 complete Thanksgiving meals to families across Baltimore - providing holiday meals for more than 3,200 people. Families received a full Thanksgiving meal (turkey with all the fixings) to celebrate the holiday at home with their loved ones.

A heartfelt thank-you to our amazing partners: The Agora Companies, Coffman Engineers, CohnReznick, Constellation, DAP, Henderson Wharf, Medifast, Morgan Stanley, Pandora, RevCycle, Ritz-Carlton Residences, STRUCTURAL, Under Armour, Wellpoint, Allianz, T. Rowe Price, Macks Jewish Connection Network, Patagonia, Tru by Hilton, and Klein's ShopRite.

We are grateful for every donor, volunteer, and community member who made this year’s Thanksgiving drive a wonderful success.

On December 11, Maryland State Senator Corey McCray visited our Fresh Start program to share his personal journey and path to success. In partnership with the MD Department of Juvenile Services, Fresh Start provides youth ages 16-19 who are not in school or working, with vocational, academic, and social skills training to help them overcome barriers to success and build strong futures. Senator McCray spoke candidly about the challenges he faced as a young person and how an electrical workers apprenticeship program, one parallel to Fresh Start, helped change his trajectory. Through learning a trade, organizing in his community, and building financial stability, he was able to purchase his first home at age 20, expand his real estate investments, and eventually launch a career in public service, including service in the Maryland House of Delegates.

Senator McCray's story offered students a powerful example of what is possible through perseverance, guidance, and access to opportunity. He also signed and gave each Fresh Start student a copy of his book: The Apprenticeship that Saved My Life. We are grateful to Senator McCray for taking the time to speak with our students, affirm their potential, and recognize the hard work and dedication they bring to their own paths forward.

'Tis the season! This month, over 200 Brown Advisory employees and over 50 Curio Wellness employees helped spread holiday cheer by purchasing gifts for 70 Living Classrooms families. Thanks to their generosity, 45 Ascend through Music Program students and 25 Crossroads School families received gifts to brighten the holiday season.

Thank you to all of the individuals and corporations who are making the holidays extra special for our students and families!

The USS Constellation is undergoing a vital preservation effort focused on its rigging, including the masts, lines, and structural elements above the deck. This work is essential to maintaining the ship’s safety, stability, and historical authenticity. Each component is restored using time-honored techniques by experts from around the country, reflecting the original craftsmanship of the vessel.

This project does more than preserve a National Historic Landmark. It also provides hands-on learning opportunities where participants develop transferable job skills in maritime trades such as rigging, carpentry, and restoration. To date, four young men have been hired as part of the restoration crew. By connecting historic preservation with workforce development, the USS Constellation continues to serve as a living classroom that builds skills, preserves history, and prepares individuals for careers in the skilled trades. Visit Pier 1 to see the progress firsthand and check out this video about the project created by Collin Dunn:

Micah, a former participant in Living Classrooms’ out-of-school-time programming, shares his experience with Living Classrooms Foundation:

"Growing up is hard for everyone, especially growing up in Baltimore. However, attending the UA House {a Living Classrooms community center} is an experience that not only elevated me, but also anyone I know who has attended. The number of friendships, memories and connections I’ve made because of the UA House is immeasurable. The UA House put me in a better position for success and taught me lessons that I will carry with me forever. I learned how to communicate properly, carry myself professionally, and set myself up for success, all while being able to have fun and still be a kid. Even after aging out of the core program, the community at the UA House has always backed me. It will always be one of the most impactful experiences that I’ve had, and I am always grateful for the UA House."

Stories like Micah’s are made possible by the generosity of our supporters. Thank you for believing in the potential of young people and the power of community.