PROGRAM UPDATE
Program Update
4Front’s Signature Programs have always stood for fun, dynamic, high-quality learning experiences that allow teens to explore who they are, what they care about, and what they are capable of. Our programs utilize 5 distinct lenses to pursue justice and self-improvement – innovation, leadership, hands-on service, advocacy, and philanthropy. In the past, our signature programs have also shared a common format; cohort-based, year-long experiences that meet approximately once a month. As we prepare for the 2020-2021 programmatic year, we are excited to announce that we’re shaking things up!
At 4Front we’ve always strived to meet teens where they are, keeping teen choice at the forefront of our initiative, and catering to your diverse needs and interests. With that in mind, 4Front is happy to share that our signature programs will now be offered in varying formats, from one-off “pop-up” events, to short-term intensives, to year-long cohorts. With each format, teens will still receive the same thoughtful content, dedicated staff, and dynamic programming, while building their resumes and making new friends. These new offerings will also provide more flexible structures to fit both your diverse schedules and the societal changes from Covid-19.
Signature Programs will now be offered in the following three program formats:
Pop-up Series
These are our shortest duration programs, ranging from one-off, opt-in experiences up to 4 week series focusing on a specific topic. Pop-up series require registration only and offer low barrier opportunities for teens to explore signature program content.
Short-term Intensives
This format provides teens with shorter, multi-week programs options ranging from 6-12 weeks in length. Content in these programs will be condensed and move at a faster pace, meeting more frequently over the program duration. To participate in short-term intensives, teens must apply online and join 4Front staff for a pre-program consultation.
Year-long Cohorts
This format offers teens year-long, cohort-based experiences that will meet approximately once a month, most similar to our traditional format. To participate in our year-long cohorts, teens must fill out an online application and complete an interview with program staff.
4FRONT SIGNATURE PROGRAMS:
OPEN APPLICATIONS
Diller Teen Fellows: Year-long Cohort
Applications close May 12, 2021
Learn more in the Diller section below.
Applications close May 12, 2021
Learn more in the Diller section below.
DILLER TEEN FELLOWS
Open to teens in 11th Grade
UPCOMING PROGRAM:
DILLER TEEN FELLOWS: Year-Long Cohort
The Diller Teen Fellows is a year-long immersive leadership program inviting teens from six continents and 32 communities to step up, lead their communities, and repair the world. Diller will provide you with the tools, feedback, and guidance you need to experiment, collaborate, and grow as a leader, while exploring your own Jewish identity. You’ll connect with teens in Baltimore’s partner city, Ashkelon, giving you a new, broader perspective. The traditional program includes monthly workshops, weekend retreats, a 10-day seminar with Ashkelon teens in Baltimore and a three-week summer seminar in Israel.
PROGRAM UPDATE
Diller Program Update for 2021-2022:
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Diller Teen Fellows program has pivoted and altered out curriculum to match local restrictions on meeting in person, travelling, and more.
These restrictions have resulted in the past two cohorts participating in alternatives of our peak moments that require international travel. Although we’ve had to navigate uncharted territory, Diller has always been a year-long program and it is our goal for the 2021-2022 Fellows to develop leadership skills, connect in a global network of peers, and strengthen their Jewish identities. Throughout our year, Diller will follow guidelines to determine if, and when, in-person meetings and travel are possible.
For more information, please contact:
Cody Gelvar at: cgelvar@4frontbaltimore.org
Dates: September 2021 – September 2022
Grades: 11th Grade
Cost: $3,100 (Financial Aid Available)
Community Service Hours: 20-20 Hours
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Diller Info Session: April 19, 2021 & May, 3 2021 | 7:00pm
Learn more about the Diller Teen Fellows Program and how you can have a year that will impact a lifetime!
STAC: STUDENTS TAKING ACTION FOR CHANGE
Open to teens in grades 9 – 12
PAST PROGRAM:
STAC Pop-Up Series: Explore the Election 2020
Learn about the role of money in politics, the ins and outs and campaigning, what the electoral college really does, and discuss the key issues in the 2020 Election.
Dates: 5 Sessions | Thursday evenings | 6:30-8:30pm | Oct 15, Oct 22, Oct 29, Nov 3 (election night), Nov 5
Grades: 9 – 12
Cost: $200
Community Service Hours: 5 Hours
PAST PROGRAM:
STAC Pop-Up Series: Lobbying 101 – How to Talk to State Lawmakers
Designed to expose you to the systems of government at the Federal and State level, join us this session to learn about how to effectively advocate and lobby for pieces of legislature that you’re passionate about.
Dates: 4 Sessions | Wednesdays | Feb 3, Feb 10, Feb 17, Feb 24 | 6:30pm- 8:30pm
Grades: 9 – 12
Cost: $200
Community Service Hours: 5 Hours
SIF: SOCIAL INNOVATION FELLOWSHIP
Open to teens in grades 9 – 12
PAST PROGRAM:
SIF Pop Up Event: Virtual Hackathon
This one day experience will give teens the opportunity to go through the entrepreneurial process to create innovative solutions to our world’s most pressing issues!
Dates: Sunday, October 25, 2020 | 1:00-5:00pm ET
Grades: 9 – 12
Cost: $25
PAST PROGRAM:
SIF – Short-Term Intensive
Under the guidance of innovation experts and location mentors, fellows will develop a entrepreneurial mindset and skill set to create and implement their own social enterprise to tackle problems in our community and work towards Tikkun Olam, repairing our community.
Dates: 12 Sessions | Sundays December 6, 2020 – March 7, 2021 (no meeting Dec 27 & Jan 3 for winter break) \ 11:00am-1:00pm
Grades: 9 – 12
Cost: $800 (financial aid available)
Community Service Hours: 10 Hours
TSC: TEEN SERVICE COUNCIL
Open to teens in grades 9 – 12
PAST PROGRAM:
TEEN SERVICE COUCIL POP-UP #4: Food Insecurity | Sunday, May 2, 2021 | 11:00-1:00pm | Great Kids Farm
Join 4Front’s fourth and final TSC pop-up of the year as we learn about food insecurity in our community. We will have the opportunity to volunteer with Great Kids Farm and lend some helping hands around the farm! We will gather in-person for this outdoor volunteer experience, with masks and social distance enforced.
Grades: 9-12
Cost: $25
Community Service Hours: 3
PAST PROGRAM:
TEEN SERVICE COUCIL POP-UP #2: MLK Day of Service
Teens will have the opportunity to experience a truly unique and enlightening service-learning activity by participating in Factuality, The Game a crash course on structural inequality in America.
PAST PROGRAM:
TEEN SERVICE COUCIL POP-UP #3: Virtual Muffin Day
Muffin Day is a baking extravaganza that brings awareness and funding to issues surrounding homelessness in America and great organizations tackling it. Join 4Front for a virtual baking party and learn directly from individuals who have experienced homelessness firsthand.
PAST PROGRAM:
TEEN SERVICE COUCIL POP-UP #1: Harbor Cleanup with The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore
Grab your friends and join us as we volunteer with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore in their public oyster garden
FUND[d]
Open to teens in grades 9 – 12
PAST PROGRAM:
FUN[d]: Short-Term Intensive
Throughout this intensive, teens will focus on fundraising and allocation efforts toward community COVID relief, giving participants the ability to respond to real time community needs.
Program Dates: 6 Sessions | Sundays | March 21 – May 16, 2021 – Check Presentation Wednesday May 26, 2021
Grades: 9-12
Cost: $350 ($250 for program fees, $100 towards communal fundraising goal)
Community Service Hours: 10 Hours
Peer Leadership Fellows
Open to teens in grades 10 – 11
UPCOMING PROGRAM:
Peer Leadership Fellows: Year-long Fellowship
Throughout the year, fellows will meet monthly (both in person and virtually), beginning with an immersive leadership training experience and followed by monthly training seminars and individual check-ins. These experiences provide opportunities for real-world skill building in social network mapping, community organizing, and peer-to-peer engagement following the nationally recognized Hillel campus curriculum.
Program Dates: September 2021-September 2022
Grades: 10 & 11
Stipend: $500 for approximately 10hr/month
“STAC has been a great way for me and my peers to openly share our thoughts about what’s going on in our world. It allows us to talk about politics in a non-judgmental way and meet people with differing viewpoints about some of the issues we face. It also has made us aware of how important our voice is in the community.”
“One of the reasons I like Diller Teen Fellows is because I have made new friendships and strengthened old ones. We are a close cohort and it makes our activities really fun.”
“Fun(d) has not only helped me develop skills in fundraising but also in advertising. I plan on studying social justice and political science in college and I believe that knowing how to sell ideas and target specific appeals will help me in my future careers.”
“My experience in the Social innovation Fellowship was amazing. I learned so many new skills about entrepreneurship and life that I can use in the future.”
“My favorite part of Teen Service Council was making muffins for the homeless and having the opportunity to deliver them. I also enjoyed buying food at Wegmans for families and being able to have a different perspective about different lifestyles.”