Greater Baltimore Cares was recently invited to participate in ceremonies at Baltimore’s Living Classrooms Foundation, an amazing facility doing amazing things in mentoring. Some of the area’s most engaged mentoring organizations were represented and were given the opportunity to showcase their mentoring programs to Prince Edward, the Queen of England’s youngest son and Prince Charles’ brother. Prince Edward was in Baltimore encouraging young people to take part in a special program he spearheads called the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award founded by the Queen’s husband Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The Duke of Edinburgh program challenges young people to complete community service projects, physical activities and learn new skills, all in the hope of building confidence and self-esteem. The program was recently brought to Baltimore. The program provides a balanced program of activities that develops the whole person – mind, body and soul – in an environment of social interaction and teamwork.

Taking part builds confidence and develops self-esteem. It requires persistence, commitment and has a lasting impact on the attitudes and outlook of all young people who do their DofE.

It was great to witness what a committed group of people with good community partnerships can do towards improving the lives of children and young adults. With tough economic times ahead for the foreseeable future and a highly competitive employment environment young people need every skill and dose of self confidence they can get their hands on so that they can participate successfully as members of the community. Children from difficult backgrounds face even greater challenges and organizations such as the Living Classroom Foundation and ours are doing their part one child at a time.

Many thanks to Bernard Sims, from the Family League of Baltimore for the invitation and all of his hard work over the years he has put in towards saving the most vulnerable children amongst us.