Keeping Teens Safe, while driving - In Reach Partners for Free Driver's Education

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for US teens. In Reach would like to help change this statistic. We are excited to announce our new online free driver's education program for teens, and others, preparing to learn how to drive. Visit our dedicated site for access to Maryland permit practice tests and more information on the Maryland licensing process. 

Join In Reach in helping our teens and others prepare to take and pass their MD state written driving exam. We have partnered with driving-tests.org to bring residents in Maryland one site where they can practice and get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

DID YOU KNOW?
- There are 26.6 Million Teens in the US;
- Automobile accidents are the #1 cause of death for US teens;
- 95% of teens use the internet; 75% have broadband at home;
- 40% of all teens fail their permit exam on the first try; and,
- Lack of preparation and failure to study is the #1 reason cited for exam failure.

Maryland ranked seventh best in safer places for teens to drive according to a study by WalletHub. Let's do our best to stay in the Top 10 and move closer to the top spot by keeping our teens safe while driving especially during the summer months when they drive more and are supervised less.

Passport to Summer Week 2014

The Kickoff - Summer Learning Day

In Reach kicked off its Passport to Summer Week Program by holding its 2014 Summer Learning Day activities on Monday, June 24, with its Girls of Worth Literacy Club. The exciting day, which engaged 14 girls in a series of sessions in preparation for their week long travels, included a speaker who delivered a superb workshop, Dreams to Reality: Finding Your Passion and Purpose to Create Your Plan.

The purpose of Passport to Summer week was to encourage girls, who are rising seventh graders, to use the summer to continue their learning by exploring all of the amazing resources the Washington DC Metro Area has to offer (free Smithsonian museums, the best museums in the world) and to read and write to strengthen their comprehension and vocabulary skills. Each girl was given a travel journal and encouraged to record not just their experiences during the week; but, also to continue capturing their thoughts throughout the summer.

Although In Reach's programs are located in a suburb right outside of Washington, DC, many students do not have an opportunity to experience its many monuments and rich resources. Our student's Passport allowed them to enter the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum and the National Aquarium in Baltimore; the National Museum of American History and the first day of the annual Smithsonian Folk Life Festival on the National Mall; and, last but certainly not least, Luray Caverns in Virginia where girls not only learned about stalactite and stalagmite formations but found their way out of a maze and challenged themselves on a rope course.

The Girls of Worth Literacy Club is held in partnership with William Paca Elementary School in the city of Landover in Prince George's County, Maryland. It is an after school transitional program for girls in their last year in an elementary school setting. Its purpose is to prepare girls for middle school by engaging them in fun, hands-on and confidence building activities that strengthens them academically and further develops their 4C's - communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity - 21st century "super" skills.

Everyone had a great time! See the proof right here.

And the 2014 Amazing Parent Award Recipients Are . . .

The Third Time Really is a Charm--Recognizing Prince George’s County Parents

Hyattsville, MD | On June 6, 2014, In Reach, Inc., held its Third Annual Celebrating Amazing Prince George’s County Parents Awards Program, an event honoring outstanding parents with children currently enrolled in a Prince George’s County Public School. 

“I am very pleased with our third annual celebration of Amazing Parents and congratulate each nominee and their nominator for being simply amazing,” said Executive Director, Ms. Toni Smith.

Congratulations again to our three 2014 Amazing Parent Award Recipients:

Ms. Alexia Clark, recipient of the Parks and Recreation Amazing Parent Award for being an awesome and dedicated bridge builder in the lives of children.

Mr. Jeff Warner, recipient of the In Reach, Inc. Amazing Parent Award for being an all around selfless individual, active in the school and community, and an incredible parent who best demonstrates a well-rounded presence.

Ms. Diane Traweek, recipient of the Ingrid M. Turner Amazing Parent Award for demonstrating a strong sense of community as a volunteer, coach and mentor.

In Reach would also like to thank all 32 of the 2014 nominees: Mr. Samuel & Mrs. Fatima Alfa, Ms. Alexia Clark, Mr. Willie & Mrs. Roberta Cooper, Mr. Jeffrey & Mrs. Bobbie Dewhurst, Ms. Monica Ferguson, Ms. DeLisa French, Ms. Cynthia Gray, Ms. Karen Hackett, Ms. Lorrie Ann Hyatt, Ms. Erica Johnson, Ms. Tarsha Deanna Jones, Ms. Sharon M. Lewis, Ms. Ana Moran, Ms. Josephine Moss-Nelson, Ms. Alicia Nelson, Ms. Anabel Nolasco, Ms. Lisa Ojeda-Brown, Ms. Mary Pollard-Jamison, Mr. Michael B. Rather, Ms. Elizabeth Santos, Ms. Deidra Speight, Mr. Terry & Mrs. Lori Thomas, Ms. Diane Traweek, Mr. Jeff Warner, Ms. Christine Monaco Williams, Ms. Andrea D. Williamson, Mrs. Geiner Janet Winkey, and Ms. Tia Yisrael.

“I commend and applaud In Reach, Inc. and the efforts of Executive Director Toni Smith for recognizing and celebrating Amazing Parents in Prince George s County. Parents are the most important role model in their child’s life and the nominees for the Amazing Parent award have certainly set a tremendous example. They have provided outstanding community service and invested time in our schools through their work in parent teacher associations, youth groups and mentoring programs all while raising and supporting their own children in every aspect of their lives. Congratulations to all of the Amazing Prince George’s County Parents,” commented Council Member Ingrid M. Turner, Esq., (District 4).  

In Reach thanks all of the individuals and sponsors who helped make the Third Annual Celebrating Amazing Prince George’s County Parents Awards Program a success especially Ms. Ingrid Harrison on behalf of Council Member Ingrid M. Turner; Ms. Shawna Fachet of the Prince George’s Department of Parks and Recreation; Ms. Amber Waller, Prince George’s County Board of Education, District 3; and In Reach's Board of Directors.

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In Reach, Inc., is a tax exempt 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization designed to prepare students for college, work and life. Founded in 1999, In Reach envisions healthy, productive and prepared young adults in every family. To learn more about our work, visit www.inreachinc.org.

The Third Time Really is a Charm!

On Tuesday, May 20, 2014, In Reach held its final program event for the 2013-2014 school year with partner William Paca Elementary School in Landover, MD for the Girls of Worth Afterschool Literacy Club. Above is a video that was shown during the program that captures our work with the students during the year.

The Girls of Worth (GOW) Literacy Club is a free after school transitional program for fifth or sixth grade girls in an elementary school setting. Its purpose is to prepare girls for middle school by engaging them in fun, hands-on and confidence building activities that will strengthen them academically and further develop their 4C's - communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity - 21st century "super" skills. 

At the center of programming is the Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet. The Kindle Fire is used to introduce girls to a breadth of educational resources to encourage a continuous interest in learning, expand their thinking, and increase their knowledge about future college and career opportunities particularly in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Congratulations to our 2014 Amazing Parent Nominees!

In Reach is pleased to present the 32 amazing parents nominated for its Third Annual Celebrating Amazing Prince George's County Parents Awards. 

Join us on June 6 for the announcement of the Award Recipients.

  

 Dr. Samuel & Fatima Alfa

Alexia Clark

Willie & Roberta Cooper

Jeffrey & Bobbie Dewhurst

Monica Ferguson

DeLisa French

Cynthia Gray

Karen Hackett

Lorrie Ann Hyatt

Erica Johnson

Tarsha Deanna Jones

Sharon M. Lewis

Ana Moran

Josephine Moss-Nelson

Alicia Nelson

Anabel Nolasco

Lisa Ojeda-Brown

Mary Pollard-Jamison

Michael B. Rather

Elizabeth Santos

Deidra Speight

Terry & Lori Thomas

Diane Traweek

Jeff Warner

Christine Monaco Williams

Andrea D. Williamson

Geiner Janet Winkey

Tia Yisrael

Congratulations to our very own Sagen Kidane!

We are so very proud of our very own, Sagen Kidane, for being selected at the Prince George's County Public Schools' Scholar of the Week, March 10-14.

Sagen is an excellent student and amazing young lady. An active member of the Youth Ambassadors @ Parkdale High School since her sophomore year, she also was a participant in In Reach's Quantum Project during middle school. We are so excited for Sagen and look forward to supporting her through the next chapter of her life as her high school years soon come to a close and she prepares to head off to college in the fall.

Read the full PGCPS write-up.

What are you waiting for? Nominations are now open!

In Reach's 2013 Amazing Parent Award Recipients

In Reach, Inc., is now accepting nominations for its Third Annual Celebrating Amazing Prince George's County Parents Awards. The Awards are open to parents with children (K-12) attending a public, including charter, school in Prince George’s County and honors parents who are making a difference in the life of their child, whether at their child's school or in the community. Parents who are nominated are invited, with a guest, to a delicious dinner and recognized on stage. Nominated parents may be selected for one of three Amazing Parent awards which comes with, in addition to the previously mentioned, a trophy and other rewards. Honorees and Award Recipients are announced in all publicity materials including website, social media and press.

Nominations close on Friday, April 4^th.

Nomination form: www.inreachinc.org/2014_nomination_form.pdf

Help make the third year a charm and nominate an amazing parent today.