r.e.e.l., National Organization of Minority Architects and Southeast White House Host Summer Camp for East of the River Youth
ANACOSTIA, WASHINGTON, D.C.(August 3, 2011)-- Empowering youth through exposure of professional careers while promoting leadership, service and academic excellence is at the center of the new East of the River Career Exposure Camp taking place August 4-6, 2011 at the Southeast White House, located in the Randall Highlands neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Created through a partnership between River East Emerging Leaders (r.e.e.l.); Washington, D.C. Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (DCNOMA); and the Southeast White House (SEWH), a dozen incoming seventh and eighth graders will take part in the three-day camp targeted at young teens residing in Ward 7 and 8 communities. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of science, math, reading, creativity and critical thinking skills and encourages the pursuit of undergraduate and graduate education.
“We are proud to partner with DCNOMA and the Southeast White House to bring this amazing opportunity to East of the River youth,” said r.e.e.l. President Charles Wilson. “We want our campers to leave the experience empowered to become future designers and builders in our community.”
Campers will participate in hands-on activities in architecture, math and science as well as group projects and presentations. Students will also learn to value leadership, service and respect for themselves and others. The program will include career exploration and academic skill development. On the final day, participants will tour the National Building Museum and the Howard University School of Architecture and Design.
“It’s important to expose young students to a wide variety of careers and mentors,” said Bernard Suber, president of DCNOMA and volunteer coordinator of the camp. “By introducing camp attendees to the architectural profession, we’re not only building new skills but enhancing creativity as well.”
r.e.e.l.’s Leadership and Engagement Committee (LEC) developed the East of the River Career Exposure Camp along with partners DCNOMA and Southeast White House. The committee also worked with community stakeholders, parents and camp sponsors to make the camp a reality.
“Our youth are so talented and smart; we want to build on that by exposing them to infinite possibilities,”said Kellie Armstead, chair of LEC and administrative coordinator for the camp. “We want our youth to think critically, solve problems and become the next generation of innovators and builders."
**NOTE TO MEDIA: Due to age of the camp participants, coverage and interviews will be tightly controlled. Media interested in covering this activity must schedule in advance.
About Washington, D.C. Chapter, National Organization of Minority Architects
The Washington, D.C. Chapter, National Organization of Minority Architects’ mission is to serve and promote the interests of underrepresented groups within the design profession and community at large. DCNOMA accomplishes these goals through professional development programs, public advocacy, and community service projects, partnerships with allied organizations, student support and promotion of the design profession to the youth of today. http://dcnoma.noma.net
About Southeast White House
The Southeast White House’s mission is to serve as a refuge, resource center, mentoring center, training group and gathering place for individuals and groups serving the needs of the Randle Highlands, Hillcrest, Penn Branch, Congress Heights, and Fort Dupont communities in Southeast Washington, D.C.www.sewhitehouse.org
About River East Emerging Leaders
Conceived by a group of concerned citizens from Washington, D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8 communities, the River East Emerging Leaders (r.e.e.l.) is a nonprofit organization created to engage and empower the East of the River community by strengthening bonds between residents, businesses and government; stimulating interest in East of the River neighborhoods, and fostering dialogue that leads to solutions for community growth and investment. To learn more about r.e.e.l., visit www.reeldc.org.