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.
Signature Programs:
Students Taking Action for Change (STAC)
Students Taking Action for Change (STAC)
Flex your leadership muscles and get political! STAC teaches teens how to create change in their community through the many avenues of advocacy- gov and politics, lobbying, journalism, and more. Through STAC, teens will develop an understanding of the political process, gain real life skills in lobbying and public speaking, and advocate for change at the grassroots, local, state, and federal levels.
Program Update:
The STAC curriculum will now be broken into multiple, topic driven “pop-up” series and intensives throughout the school year. Teens will be able to sign up for one or multiple series based on their interests. Each will dive into a different topic surrounding advocacy, politics and making change. Program gatherings have the flexibility to take place in person or virtually as COVID-19 restrictions allow.
STAC Pop Up Series: Rep US- Explore Election 2020
In this Fall STAC pop-up, teens will explore topics surrounding the 2020 election. Learn about the role of money in politics, the ins and outs of campaigning, what the electoral college really does, and more. Stage your own presidential debate, join our live election watch party and then debrief the results! Online registration required to participate.
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
Registration: Closed
STAC Pop Up Series: Lobbying 101- How to talk to State Lawmakers
Are you ready to make REAL change? In partnership with the Baltimore Jewish Council, STAC’s winter pop-up series will give you the opportunity to impact our state as you learn about and get involved in Maryland’s legislation process. This 4-week series is designed to expose you to the systems of government at the Federal and State levels, a variety of public policy and social justice issues, and the Jewish values that inform our community’s advocacy around these issues. During the series you’ll select a bill to lobby for or against in the State House and we’ll give you the tools to write effective, persuasive, and passionate testimony to share with state decision-makers.
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
Registration: Register HERE
STAC Short-Term Intensive: Advocacy in the Digital Age
In this 6-week STAC Intensive, teens will learn the power of media advocacy. By exploring various mediums such as investigative journalism, social media leveraging, and podcasting, teens will learn new ways and important skills to raise your voice and make an impact for a cause you care about!
Dates: 6 Weeks: Wednesdays April 14 – May 19, 6:30-8:00pm
Grades: 9 – 12
Cost: $400 (ask about our special discount for STAC alum)
Community Service Hours: 10 Hours
Registration: Register HERE
CLICK HERE to hear more from STAC alum featured on the “Pull Up A Chair” Podcast!
For more information, please contact
Cody Gelvar at cgelvar@4frontbaltimore.org
Social Innovation Fellowship
Social Innovation Fellowship
The Social Innovation Fellowship is a hands-on entrepreneurship program that inspires and empowers Jewish teens to be changemakers in their community. Under the guidance of innovation experts and local mentors, fellows will develop an entrepreneurial mindset and skill set to create and implement their own social enterprise to tackle problems in our community. The fellowship offers a real-world, resume-building experience that includes a kick-off innovation boot camp, workshops, mentoring sessions, and a final Demo Day pitch competition.
Program Update:
The Social Innovation Fellowship will now be offered as a 12-week short term intensive, from December – March, 2021. The 2020-21 program will not include overnight retreats or international travel. The program will have a blended curriculum of virtual meetings and in person gatherings, as covid-19 restrictions allow. PLUS get a taste of SIF in our 1-day virtual Hackathon pop up!
Social Innovation Pop Up Event: Virtual Hackathon
Join Jewish teens from around the country for this one-day event to learn how to become a young social changemaker and use innovative thinking to turn problems into opportunities.
Facilitated by entrepreneur and VC investor Henrik Scheel of Startup Experience, teens will go through the entire entrepreneurial process to create innovative solutions to our world’s most pressing issues. Develop your entrepreneurial mindset, boost your creative capacity, and work with teens from around the country, while learning how to use business to make a positive impact in our world! This program is now in partnership with 7 teen organizations from Boston to LA!
Program Dates: Sunday, October 25, 2020, 1-5pm ET
Grades: 9 – 12
Cost: $25 – NEW LOWER PRICE thanks to our national partners!
Registration: Closed
Social Innovation Fellowship – Short-Term Intensive
Under the guidance of innovation experts and local mentors, social innovation fellows will develop an 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 world. A fast-paced version of our traditional fellowship, this 12-week intensive will place teens in startup teams to create and develop a social startup idea to pitch at our culminating Demo Day pitch competition. In the process, teens will also get the chance to meet with real social entrepreneurs, get hands-on experience in business building, and learn how entrepreneurship can be a Jewish endeavor.
Program 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
Applications are Now Closed
For more information, please contact
Diana Solomon at dsolomon@4frontbaltimore.org or 410.500.5985
Diller Teen Fellows
Diller Teen Fellows
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 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.
Diller Teen Fellows: Year-long Cohort
Program Dates: September 2021 – September 2020
Grade: 11th Grade
Cost: $3100 (Financial aid available)
Community Service Hours: 20-30 Hours
Apply now!
Want to learn more?
Diller Info Session: April 19 & May 3 | 7:00pm
Learn more about the Diller Teen Fellows Program and how you can have a year that will impact a lifetime!
RSVP now!
For more information, please contact
Cody Gelvar at cgelvar@4frontbaltimore.org
Peer Leadership Fellows
Peer Leadership Fellows
4Front’s new Peer Leadership Fellows program trains and empowers teens to be communal connectors! Fellows will learn how to build relationships, engage their peers in meaningful, identity-based conversation, and connect their social networks to the vast menu of opportunities available to teens in the Baltimore Jewish community and beyond. Fellows meet monthly (in real life and virtually), building a team of leaders helping to strengthen the community and each other.
Open to sophomores and juniors, Peer Leadership Fellows begin their year with an immersive leadership training experience. In the months that follow, Fellows will also receive training on social network mapping, community organizing, and peer-to-peer engagement following the nationally recognized Hillel campus curriculum. Peer Leadership Fellows is a legitimate, resume-building internship! Fellows receive a $500 annual stipend which represents a commitment of approximately 10 hours each month. Each Fellow is charged with building relationships with uninvolved Jewish teens in their own communities. Serving as a conduit to a plethora of communal opportunities, the Peer Leadership Fellows strive to advance Jewish values in the context of their relationships.
Peer Leadership Fellows: Year-long Cohort
Program Dates: (New Dates) August 2021 – May 2022
Grades: 10 & 11
Applications: Applications opening Spring 2021
For more information, please contact
Sam Kahan Strakes at sstrakes@4frontbaltimore.org
Teen Service Council
Teen Service Council
Teen Service Council is a great first step towards identifying needs in your community and making a real difference. This program offers opportunities for exciting, hands-on service learning to give back to your community. Through Teen Service Council, participants will learn about the many needs in our community, work with organizations addressing those needs, and make their own impact!
Program Update:
Teen Service Council will now be composed of several individual pop-up events throughout the year. Teens will be able to sign up for these service projects individually as we offer various ways to give back to the community. The types of service projects and level of hands-on interaction will be based on the current COVID-19 regulations at the time of each project. Stay tuned for more details and upcoming Teen Service Council pop-up projects!
Teen Service Council Pop-Ups
Pop Up #1: November 8th | Harbor Cleanup with The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore
Sunday November 8th, 10am-12:30pm at the Canton Waterfront
Grab your friends and join us as we volunteer with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore in their public oyster garden and rain garden to help learn about and restore the Chesapeake Bay!
Grades: 9-12
Cost: $25
Community Service Hours: 3 hours
Registration: Closed
Pop Up #2: January 17th | MLK Day of Service
Sunday, January 17th 1-3pm – Online
In partnership with JVC’s MLK Day of Service, our winter Teen Service Council pop-up will give teens the opportunity to experience a truly unique and enlightening service-learning activity by participating in the Factuality, The Game– a crash course on structural inequality in America.
In Partnership With: Jewish Volunteer Connection, Elijah Cummings Youth Program, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Achshav (a program of Beth El and Chizuk Amuno Congregations), Oheb Shalom Har Sinai Congregation, and Beth Israel Congregation
Grades: 9-12
Cost: Thanks to our local partners, this is now a FREE opportunity for teens!
Community Service Hours: 2 hours
Registration: Register Here
Pop Up #3: March 14th | Virtual Muffin Day
Sunday, March 14th, 12:00-2:00pm – Your Kitchen!
Join us for our annual muffin baking party! National Muffin Day is a baking extravaganza that brings awareness and funding to issues surrounding homelessness in America and the great organizations tackling it. Join 4Front’s virtual baking party and learn directly from individuals who have experienced homelessness firsthand.
Grades: 9-12
Cost: $25
Community Service Hours: 3
Registration: Register HERE
Pop Up #4: May 2nd | Food Insecurity
Sunday, May 2nd, Time & Location TBA
Join 4Front’s fourth and final TSC pop-up of the year as we learn about food insecurity in our community. Stay tuned for more project details to come as we get closer to spring.
Grades: 9-12
Cost: $25
Community Service Hours: 3
Registration: Register HERE
For more information, please contact
Sam Kahan Strakes at sstrakes@4frontbaltimore.org
FUN(d): A Teen Giving Circle
FUN(d): A Teen Giving Circle
Want to make a difference in the community? Put your money where your mouth is! Make an impact with thoughtful, strategic, and inspired giving to causes you care about. Teens in FUN(d) will experience the importance of philanthropy and fundraising using their personal passions while engaging in a group allocation process. Experience what it means to be a philanthropist and why it is so important to give back to the community. Learn how to think outside of the (tzedakah) box!
Program Update:
FUN(d): Teen Giving Circle will now be offered as a short term intensive, from March– May, 2021. This year, FUN(d) will feature seven sessions spread throughout the three months and will focus our fundraising and allocation efforts toward community covid relief, giving participants the ability to respond to real time community needs. The program will have a hybrid curriculum of virtual meetings and in person gatherings, as covid-19 restrictions allow.
FUN(d) will run from March-May, 2021 with meetings approximately twice a month. The majority of our sessions will convene on Sunday afternoons, with the exception of virtual site visits and our check presentation ceremony.
FUN(d) – Short-Term Intensive
Program Dates: 6 Sessions- Sundays, March 21 – May 16, Check Presentation Wed. May 26
Grades: 9 – 12
Cost: $350 ($250 for program fees, $100 towards communal fundraising goal)
Community Service Hours: 10 Hours
Registration: Register HERE
For more information, please contact
Sam Kahan Strakes at sstrakes@4frontbaltimore.org or 410.843.7477
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”