Community Service and Public Speaking

Upon their return from Israel, the students begin their senior year of high school and Year 2 of the JHLEP in which they utilize the tools gained during the previous year. Throughout this year, students apply to college, improve their oral and written communication skills and commit themselves to community service.

In 2008-2009 programmatic year, the students participated in over 60 speaking engagements throughout the Maryland area.  Speaking engagements included: the W.E.B. DuBois Circle, the Congressional Black Caucus, 100 Black Men of America, Hispanic Youth Institute Diversity Day, Jewish Teen Leadership Council, Youth Leadership Support Network, 3rd Annual Powered By Me Conference, Maryland State Department of Education School Safety Conference; and Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County schools and churches.

The ECYP community service initiative creates a forum that provides our students with opportunities to utilize their leadership skills and make a meaningful contribution to society while teaching them the benefit of giving to those around them.  ECYP student community service hours can be applied to their state graduation service learning requirements, and also assist them in gaining admission to college by demonstrating their ability to make a long-term commitment and highlighting their non-academic activities.

The Elijah Cummings Youth Program also gives students a chance to help and inspire younger students. ECYP has partnered with Baltimore’s Department of Recreation and Parks for a program in which our participants mentor and tutor elementary and middle school students bi-weekly at various recreational sites in Baltimore City.