As we closed up 2018, we were so thankful for the many ways that you all supported our collective work to support our schools and the community. Together we provided 22 gift cards for Thanksgiving meals, lots of toys for Jefferson families and a Christmas Eve dinner for Edgewater Police officers. You also helped us raise over $11,000 for our work supporting cradle to career education work in the Edgewater area. Thank you!

The new year has brought some transitions to the Edgewater Collective. Our vision has always been to focus specific resources on the Jefferson Success Pathway through May 2020 in order to realize significant gains in academic achievement and workforce readiness. While we have taken on new initiatives in the last few years, including the Gina Hartley Scholarship, Jefferson Booster Club, and Jefferson Community Garden, the vision has remained on completing the Pathway and then transitioning to an all volunteer led organization.

As of January 1, I transitioned from the role of Executive Director to a volunteer role as the Board President. We are looking at various grant opportunities to continue our collective work supporting cradle to career education.

We know that our work to support schools, students and families in our area is not complete so we are committed as a board to continuing this work. I am currently working to complete our 2017-2018 Jefferson Community Report and show the growth and opportunities in our local schools. We will also continue our work supporting the Jefferson Booster Club, the Jefferson Community Garden and the Jefferson Community Center as well as continuing the Gina Hartley Scholarship.

As we make this transition to a volunteer led organization, there will be more ways for you all to connect to this work and continue the grassroots focus of connecting our community to our schools. Join us for the following upcoming meetings:

Edgewater 5k Planning Meeting
Monday, January 28
7-8 pm at the Edgewater Library (1800 Harlan Street)

Edgewater Collective Community Board Meeting
Monday, April 1
7-8 pm at the Edgewater Library (1800 Harlan Street)

We are so thankful for your support over the last six years and hope you will continue to partner with us as we continue this important work to see all students in the Edgewater area succeed from cradle to career.

Sincerely,

Joel Newton
Edgewater Collective