Mission

The mission of the Bel Alton High School Community Development Corporation is to rehabilitate our former High School and to establish programs that help people with low income improve the quality of their lives. Workforce development, jobs creation and health promotion are the primary means to accomplish our mission.

Jobs Creation

Our first workforce development and jobs creation program was the establishment of Miss Motley's Cafe, made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Employment opportunities at the Cafe include head cooks, prep cooks, waiters, cashiers, and dish washers. Job applications are available at the Center.

Bioethics Research Center

Our current health promotion program is a Bioethics Research Center that helps people understand ethics in medical research involving clinical trials and informs them of the availability nationally of clinical trials in cancer and other chronic illnesses. The program is made possible by a grant from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Prior health programs funded through grant funds included a Cancer Network Program and the University of Maryland Statewide Health Network, both of which focused on cancer prevention information and services for minorities and people in rural areas.

Bel Alton Regional Dental Center

We have received funding for a Regional Dental Center to be opened in November 2012. Our full service dental office will serve adults and children throughout Southern Maryland on a fee for service basis. The Dental Center Director is Dr. Willie Winfree, D.D.S, MPA.

State Grant to Support Children in Title I Elementary Schools

Over 700 Title 1 students in Charles County will be screened and treated as appropriate.

Over 2,000 families in Charles County will receive dental care and preventive care information.

Over 2,000 Title 1 students and their families in St. Mary's and Calvert Counties will receive dental care education information.

Increased access and participation in dental screening and dental care in Southern Maryland.

Increased basic knowledge and preventive dental care throughout Southern Maryland by utilizing collaborative partnerships of faith-based, school-based and community-base organizations and health providers.

Improved overall wellness of children and assistance in eliminating protentially chronic diseases and the incidence of mortality.

Job Search Lab

A Job Search Lab is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 10am to 2pm. Job seekers can apply on line for job openings throughout the Metropolitan Washington Area and beyond. Jobs openings may be in the private sector or at the local, state and federal levels. The Lab is located at the lower level of the building and can be accessed from the south parking lot.

Membership Drive

We have launched a major effort to increase the membership of our Community Development Corporation (CDC) to secure more volunteers to help us move our organization to a higher level. We are reaching out to friends of our CDC who can enhance our initial major effort of renovating the school by working with us to expand our jobs creation, workforce development, and health promotion efforts on behalf of low-income residents of Charles County. We are also in need of assistance from people with business and resource development skills that can help us meet our facility operating costs. A membership form is enclosed by which you can join our organization. Dues are $50.00 a year. You may join online or by regular mail. If you wish, you may also volunteer for specific duties with respect to any of our named focus areas. Some professional skills that we critically need include accounting, word processing. business administration, early childhood education, adult education, grants writing, technology training, restaurant management and marketing, events planning, building management, and commercial construction management. We sincerely need your help if we are to sustain our efforts at helping those less fortunate. Please join us!

Donations

We welcome donations to our organization that will help us maintain and expand our program offerings and help us achieve our mission more readily. All board members are senior citizen volunteers who have worked with the CDC for over 19 years. Several board members also serve as staff. We need more volunteers to help us, as well as donations of $5, $10, $15 or whatever you have in your heart to give. Renovating our school has already made a big difference in improving the appearance and adding value to the Bel Alton community. However we must do more. With your financial support we will. Make a donation today. If you prefer to contribute by mail, send a check to Bel Alton High School Community Development Corporation, 9501 Crain Highway, Bel Alton, MD 20611. You may also donate online.