At SCC, “StandUP” community service activities are an integral part of co-op life. Our StandUP Committee helps students and families find outreach opportunities that are right for them. As a volunteer corps, we are poised to make real change and introduce our children to the rewards of social action.
During the 2016-17 school year, we
Continued our monthly volunteer days at A Wider Circle, organizing donations in their warehouse and showroom
Raised funds for Star Gazing Farm Animal Sanctuary through the creation (sheep-to-shawl class) and sale (to co-op members) of hand-knitted bunnies
Raised funds for the Montgomery County Humane Society, by collecting shoes for Funds2Orgs
Raised funds for a homeschool robotics team-sponsored GoBabyGo Workshop, to retrofit toy ride-on cars for young children with significant mobility issues
Added signatures to the children’s butterfly parachute for the People's Climate March
Protested Citibank funding of the Dakota Access Pipeline
Packed Comfort Cases for foster children, contributing needed items and handmade bookmarks
Additional drives provided
The Essentials to those in need via A Wider Circle
Winter wear for Langley Park fire survivors and newly arrived immigrants
Holiday gifts for the children of teenage parents attending college, via Generation Hope’s “Adopt a Scholar for the Holidays” program
Music, used music players and computers to the Springvale Terrace Retirement Community
Supplies to animals in need through the Humane Rescue Alliance
During the 2015-16 school year, we
Raised funds for the Flint Child Health and Development Fund through an information / bake sale table at the Takoma Park farmer’s market
Organized donations at A Wider Circle’s warehouse and showroom
Worked with residents in the Peace Garden and Community Room at Sibley Plaza public housing
Made over 100 holiday cards for residents of the Armed Forces Retirement home
Offered gardening and other support to Tifereth Israel, where we rent space for our classes
Further drives provided
Winter wear to those in need via the Takoma Park Police Department and A Wider Circle
Halloween candy to troops via Operation Gratitude
Non-perishable Thanksgiving food items to those in need via A Wider Circle
Holiday gifts to children via the Foster & Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center
Toys, games and books, mother/baby and personal care and household items to those in need via A Wider Circle's "mini North Pole"
Books to children through Books 4 Kids at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Books to inmates at the Maryland Correctional Institution in Jessup
Diapers to babies via the DC Diaper Bank
Bras to the braless via homeless shelters in Montgomery County and DC
In 2015-16, SCC teens also enjoyed a StandUP lecture series with calls to action, including
Shujaa Graham - exonerated death row inmate, exoneration advocate and former Black Panther
Aline Magnoni - Cultural Anthropologist and LGBTQI rights activist
Quinn Miller of HousingUP! - following his talk on homelessness in DC, teens volunteered with after-school tutoring, hosting a Play Day at a traditional housing facility, and working at HousingUP summer camp
Andrew Kutt - Founder and Director of Oneness Family School, on mindfulness and social responsibility