Beacon
House
is
a
neighborhood
based
organization
that
supports
at-risk
youth
and
families
of
the
Edgewood
Terrace
community
in
Washington,
D.C.
Beacon
House
offers
educational,
cultural,
recreational
and
athletic
programs.
Founded
in
1991
by
Reverend
Donald
E.
Robinson,
a
Unitarian
Universalist
(UU)
Minister,
Beacon
House
provides
a
wide
range
of
opportunities
for
learning
to
increase
the
likelihood
of
high
school
graduation,
and
eventual
involvement
in
higher
education,
vocational
training,
or
other
productive
adult
work
paths.
Beacon House
serves
approximately
400 children
per year,
ages 5-18,
with a
variety of
programs.
Other than
occasional,
nominal
fees, Beacon
House offers
its programs
for free to
any and all
children.
Beacon House
is not
faith-based
and does not
espouse any
religious or
political
beliefs.
Our primary focus is
on academic
enrichment. Each
day during the
school year,
children come to the
center after the
school day ends to
get a nutritious
meal or snack and
get help with their
day’s homework
assignments. In the
evening, children
and youth
participate in
structured tutoring
programs designed to
improve reading and
math skills. Under
the guidance and
supervision of our
staff, volunteer,
trained tutors work
individually with
each child on
mastering the
essential academic
building blocks
needed for the
children and youth
to succeed in
school.
In addition to our
academic and feeding
programs, Beacon
House offers an
array of programs
designed to afford
our children and
youth varied and
enriching
experiences.
Throughout the year,
under the
supervision of our
Athletic Director,
we offer children of
all ages the
opportunity to
participate on
football, baseball,
basketball and
cheerleading teams.
Our Teen Director
oversees mentoring
programs for our
older youth,
preparing them to
successfully
graduate high school
with plans to attend
college, a
professional school,
or enter the work
force in gainful
employment. Our
annual low cost
summer camp for 150
children, ages 5-13,
combines fun with
learning, and gives
our 14-18 year olds
their first
employment
experience as camp
counselors.
These, and many
other activities,
are managed by a
committed, dedicated
staff most of whom
have been with
Beacon House for
many, many years and
who are trusted and
valued members of
the Edgewood Terrace
community.
Congresswoman
Eleanor
Holmes
Norton,
speaking
at
Beacon
House's
Tenth
Anniversary
Celebration,
had
the
highest
praise
for
Beacon
House.
She
stated:
"I
want
to
encourage
your
work
not
only
because
what
you
have
done
here
is
magnificent,
but
because
I
want
to
encourage
other
communities
around
this
town
to
do
what
Beacon
House
has
done.
I
can't
thank
you
enough
for
the
way
you
focus
on
education.
You
have
found
a
way
to
make
education
come
alive
in
so
many
ways
for
your
children."
Beacon House
is supported
by
contributions
from local
and federal
governments,
foundations,
individuals,
churches and
corporations.
Beacon House
is a 21st
Century
Community
Learning
Center, and
is listed as
one of the
top local
charities in
the
Catalogue
for
Philanthropy.
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