TMA Loyola University: Strong Schools

The Strong York Road Schools AmeriCorps VISTA project supports literacy achievement and family engagement at two Title I elementary/middle schools in Baltimore¿s Govans community. The VISTA works through Loyola University Maryland¿s Center for Community, Service, and Justice (CCSJ) in partnership with Govans Elementary and Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle School.

At Govans, the VISTA manages the Community-Engaged Literacy Program (CELP), which trains Loyola students to tutor young readers using research-based strategies. In this final year, the focus is on transitioning CELP into a sustainable, student-led model. The VISTA will partner with the CCSJ Service Coordinator intern to implement peer leadership structures, document training and communication systems, and oversee a full handoff to Loyola staff and student leaders.

At Walter P. Carter, the VISTA supports a family engagement ecosystem built over the previous two years. This includes co-coordinating PTA events, supporting the school pantry, and finalizing documentation for family outreach, volunteer coordination, and event planning.

Throughout the year, the VISTA will also host a culminating event celebrating the Strong Schools VISTA legacy and contribute to a transition toolkit for Loyola and its partners. The VISTA¿s work will ensure the sustainability of core program components and deepen the university¿s civic engagement footprint in the Govans community.