2024 in Review

 BARD is a private college in the public interest. Their approach is unique and benefits from many years of growning trust in the program. They link higher education, civic participation, and responsibility to connect the underserved in our communities, such as the incarcerated, to education. "Bringing college into a prison is transformatice, giving [them] the opportunity to change their life's trajectory."

Over the years BARD has worked closely with state and prison officials to establish themselves on 11 campuses currently serving and coaching over 600 individuals through their college education. BARD offers Associates and Bachelors degrees, Education Fellowships, Career/Professional Development as well as Reentry services.

Many graduates return to BARD as teachers and administrators. Others go on to other careers, but continue with the BARD community by coaching others and networking job placement opportunities. 

To experience BARD watch Ken Burns' "College Behind Bars" presented by PBS.

 www.bpi.bard.edu

In 2009, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor founded iCivics, a free online curriculum for students of all ages to learn and explore the US government system. There are games and instruction for students, study plans and resource materials for teachers, opportunities for administrators to get involved and discussions for those who wonder why we need civic education. "Something special happens when we have confidence in our democracy".

First, iCivics offers parents a resource to help them make an argument in favor of teaching civics in school. Then the site provides the how by offering a broad range of course tools about all levels of government: the Constitution; the divisions of power and responsibilities between the legislative, executive, and legal branches of our Federal government as well as immigration issues and discerning credible newsfeeds from other sources. iCivics also discusses the pros and cons of different kinds of government structures around the world and what does or doesn't work about each of them.

www.ed.iCivics.org and www.Vision.iCivics.org

 The world of Jazz St Louis is defined by the principals of apprenticeship: "the way of Jazz". From the youngest student to world-class visiting musicians like Wynton Marsalis, their world is defined by the experienced mentoring the less experienced in every way: music, academics, coping, and life in general.

Beyond the world-class performing studio and lounge where students and professional musicians play fo the community every night, JazzSTL provides free lessons, practice rooms, music library and recording studios (for college audition tapes). But most importantly, a common space for students to hangout safely, get help with their homework, and receive support for just growing up. 

www.jazzstl.org

For the last couple of years we have been supporting MarketPlace of Ideas for Kids, a North Dakota foundation which presents 12 Technology skill days each year to 3-8th graders throughout the area.

The focus is 21st Century skills of collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking.  Reaching over 6000 students annually, MPK's goal is to expose preteens to money management, STEAM based and safety careers by getting theirs hands into the real job guided by those already working in the field.  Students may also pitch a new business idea or invent/engineer new products to compete in the

"Hall of Great Ideas". 

www.marketplaceforkids.org/