The Art of Helping

HELPING OTHERS is the fourth “step to democracy” in Civic Circle workshops, a civic skill we call: Join! In January, our students learned about the legacy of Martin Luther King, and his maxim that “Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve.” Students learned about service-learning in Maryland, and did a volunteer activity coordinated by the nonprofit group Kits to Heart, which gives curated “care kits” to cancer patients and their loved ones. Students reflected on what it would be like to…

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Hooray for the Humanities!

THE CIVIC CIRCLE EXTENDS GRATITUDE to the generous funders who have recently stepped forward to support our ongoing expansion in 2024. We are thrilled to be among 95 nonprofits awarded $10,000 apiece for operating funding through the Maryland Humanities Marilyn Hatza Memorial SHINE Grant Program. SHINE (Strengthening the Humanities Investment in Nonprofits for Equity) is the perfect acronym for this program, which helps us all shine a light in the darkness through the humanities. WE ALSO THANK THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES COUNCIL of Montgomery County for its recent…

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Expressing Thanks, Inviting Generosity

OUR “CIVIC SPARK” CELEBRATION featured many highlights, including inspiring comments from a robust array of community and civic leaders. Michele Waxman Johnson shared her plans to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary throughout Maryland as head of the Maryland 250 Commission. (We all got to practice saying “Semiquincentennial!”) Michele Waxman Johnson Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich spoke of his own years as a teacher, and of the importance of starting lessons in civility and respect at a young age.…

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Sponsor “The Civic Spark” and Inspire Democracy!

THE BRIGHTEST SPARK in The Civic Circle’s Season of giving is right around the corner, and now is the time to register for or sponsor our December 17 celebration “The Civic Spark: Lighting the Future.” Sponsors at all levels enjoy free attendance at the event, and receive opportunities for social media shout-outs, program listings and logo displays, all while helping to inspire democracy through the arts and build youth civic power. You can help underwrite our AmeriCorps team member, sponsor an assembly show,…

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