Protect. Inspire. Nurture. Challenge. |
|
A note from our Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Dorothy Moulthrop |
|
As we wrap another successful school year at ODA, I remain grateful to our scholars, their families, our staff, and our school and community partners for their collective efforts to ensure our scholars thrive, both in and out of the classroom. I was also reminded of the critical role we play in scholars’ lives when I had the opportunity to accompany over 40 ODA scholars on a spring break trip to Washington, D.C. We visited historical sites and museums, and toured area colleges, most notably the Museum of African American History and Culture (MAAHC) and Howard University. I was particularly struck by the MAAHC and the range of emotions we experienced while there, from horror, pain, pride, and, most importantly, resolve to keep pushing for equality. As Ida B. Wells said, “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” |
|
One thing continues to stand out as I visit our programs and interact with our scholars: our future is in good hands. Our scholars are incredible; they’re smart, compassionate, and operate with curiosity at every turn. We should feel honored knowing that these bright young scholars will one day serve as leaders across Cleveland and beyond. Here at ODA, we feel privileged to work with them and support them along their journey.
As we look ahead to summer, I have two exciting announcements. First, ODA is celebrating our 30th anniversary this year! We hope you’ll take a moment to reflect upon your own experience with ODA and how you’ve supported us these last 30 years. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of people like you, so thank you for the part you have played in championing ODA!
Second, please send us all the good energy you can as we kick off summer camp NEXT WEEK! We have over 900 scholars (yes, it’s our biggest summer ever!) enrolled in ODA’s summer camp this year! Scholars will be engaging in activities from academics, to sports, to service learning and so much more. Keep an eye out for our July newsletter so see what it’s all about.
Please continue reading to learn a little bit more about how ODA wrapped up the school year, including our spring appeal campaign, where all donations are matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000!
Thank you for your ongoing interest in and support of our work; we appreciate you!
With gratitude,
Dr. Moulthrop
|
|
SPRING 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
COLLEGE VISITS
Open Doors Academy continues its mission to promote higher education to scholars in our programs. Every day, we work to protect, inspire, nurture and challenge our scholars to strive towards reaching their goals, whether it be to attend and graduate college, gain valuable skills at a trade school, or embark upon their career.
Each spring, ODA takes scholars on college visits, both locally across Ohio, as well as to surrounding states to expose our scholars to even more postsecondary opportunities.
For our first visit of the season, we took over 40 high school scholars to visit our nation's capital. Traveling to D.C. together (our first time since 2019!) gave our scholars the opportunity to meet and make new friends and the chance to visit national monuments, museums, and other exciting destinations across the city.
|
|
On our way to D.C., we stopped and visited Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, and then toured George Washington University and Howard University in D.C. Taking our scholars to Historically Black Colleges & Universities like Lincoln and Howard was important to us and to our scholars. We strive to open doors to a variety of opportunities for our scholars and felt strongly about including Howard on our “must see” list of colleges this season. We know how important it is for our scholars to see themselves represented in various roles, and college is no exception. Visiting Howard in person and getting an official tour from current students was both exciting and motivating to our scholars. We received a lot of positive feedback from scholars on the trip, and look forward to returning in the future. |
|
Here in Ohio, we also had the opportunity to take a different group of 37 scholars to visit Ohio University. Scholars toured the campus and attended the International Street Fair, where they got to experience college life firsthand. Scholars engaged with a variety of exhibits and booths with cultural displays, including food from around the world and cultural performances. |
|
END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATIONS
Here at ODA, we know how to celebrate! And the end of the school year gives us a reason to bring together families and community partners to celebrate the wonderful ways our scholars grew this past year. Thanks to a partnership with Say Yes to Education Cleveland, The Music Settlement, A.B. Hart Elementary School, Miles Park School, and Orchard S.T.E.M. School, our scholars had the opportunity to learn a variety of string instruments, the fundamentals of keeping the beat in drum classes, and more. Our scholars showed off their skills in a showcase and threw in a few skits along the way for some extra sweet laughter. Check out some of our highlights, below!
|
|
SPRING APPEAL
Help celebrate ODA's 30th anniversary by making a donation to ODA's spring appeal campaign! Every dollar makes a difference, whether it funds an afterschool STEM lesson like building roller coasters, a summer camp focused on conservation, or a family engagement effort that ensures our scholars and families have the resources they need. Donations are matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000! Thank you for your ongoing support!
|
|
Stay in the loop with ODA programming updates, pictures, scholar stories, and more by following us across our social media channels!
STAY CONNECTED
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
