Johns Hopkins University Hosts a Special High School Graduation

Baltimore, MD – On Thursday evening, June 28, 2007, participants of the Baltimore City Youth Opportunity program who thought they would never wear a cap and gown, marched across the stage of the Johns Hopkins University’s Shriver Hall  to receive their Maryland State High School diplomas. All of these youngsters dropped out of high school and have since overcome remarkable odds to achieve their educational credentials. The Honorable Judge David W. Young, Circuit Court for Baltimore City, provided the graduation address, and each graduate received a citation from the Baltimore City Council. Proud parents and relatives were joined by City Councilman, Vernon Crider and a representative from the City Council President’s office and staff from the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development.

Administered by the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) in partnership with the Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC), the YO! Baltimore programoffers a broad menu of educational, work-readiness, health education, career and personal development resources and activities for Baltimore City youth and young adults between the ages of 16 and 22 who are disconnected from education and the mainstream economy.

“Giving these young people a second chance to succeed academically and providing them with the tools to become productive members of our workforce just makes good sense,” said Karen Sitnick, director of the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED).

Davon Ellerby proudly walked across the stage to receive his diploma. A prime example of how the YO! Baltimore helps youth refocus their lives, Davon lives with his mother, stepfather, siblings and two cousins in an economically challenged neighborhood—where there are many boarded-up buildings.  Life hasn’t been easy for him to say the least. Like many of his peers, he dropped out of school, and like his brother, he was headed for jail.  After he was arrested for substance abuse, he decided it was time to turn his life around. He found out about YO! Baltimore through his parole officer and signed up to participate. The program offered him assistance in gaining employment in high-growth industries, and allowed him to complete the requirements for his high school diploma through an on-line credit-recovery process called Novel.  Davon’s decision to change his life helped inspire other members of his family, and now Davon’s incarcerated brother and his mother have also earned their high school diplomas. He has obtained employment at Civic Works, and is on track for moving into a responsible life as an adult.  Davon is a shining example of how positive change can occur when the opportunity is available.   

YO! Baltimore has proven extremely successful in working with disconnected youth. Since 2000, the program has reconnected over 250 school dropouts to alternative learning opportunities that have enabled them to earn their diplomas. Many have subsequently enrolled in postsecondary education. YO! Baltimore has also placed thousands in meaningful employment.

“YO! Baltimore participants often live in poverty and suffer from low expectations, substance abuse, early pregnancies, and emotional instability.  With the support and guidance of caring adults, they work hard to overcome their challenges,” said Ernest Dorsey, Director of YO! Baltimore. “It’s a crucial step on the road to a successful future.”