"Whatever excuses others may have had for conditions in their cities - we have none."
— James W. Rouse
Each year, Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, in partnership with Enterprise, organizes a day of volunteerism to celebrate and honor the legacy of James W. Rouse. At this annual event, now in its eighth year, we pay tribute to Jim Rouse’s boundless enthusiasm, his belief in the great potential of our cities, and his conviction that all people should have the opportunity for a dignified life.
The Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello Community (CHUM) contains many gems; top among them Shepherd's Clinic, Youth Dreamers, Baltimore City College, Stadium School, and Abbottston Elementary. Coincidently, their adjoining campuses form one large community hub. Our service project will strengthen that geographical connection with a master landscaping plan that further unites the campuses. In the process of planning for and implementing our JWR Service project, we hope to strengthen the ties between these organizations and with the surrounding community.
Our plan was motivated in part as a response to community concerns about an unsafe lot on this campus that both children and community members utilize as they travel to their homes, between schools, to Youth Dreamers, Shepherd's Clinic and to the bus stops on Kirk Avenue. Our aim is to increase the visibility of the area and activate it with landscaping and in so doing, foster the safety of the area.
On August 20, a volunteer crew of 50 from Enterprise tackled the first phase of the project by clearing much of the overgrowth in the lot and removing weed-filled fences. On October 11 volunteers will continue to cut down trees and remove the remaining overgrowth that blocks the visibility of that area.
At the same time EDSA is developing, on a pro bono basis, a master landscaping plan for the area that unites all the campuses and builds and strengthens the ties between all participating organizations. We will select elements from that master plan to implement on our service day.
Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse has a long-standing and prestigious record of success as a unique urban development and construction company. Known for conquering challenging locations as a multi-role developer and construction manager, the firm has an intentional focus on neighborhood transformation, historic adaptive reuse and urban mixed-use projects.
Enterprise is a leading provider of capital and expertise for affordable housing and community development. Enterprise works with partners – developers, investors, government, community-based nonprofits and others – to reach their common goal.
Youth Dreamers - They are a youth-run non-profit organization. Their mission is to decrease the amount of violence in the community by creating a youth-run youth center.
Shepherd's Clinic - The Shepherd's Clinic, Inc., a non-profit, inner-city health clinic, provides primary health care to individuals who do not have health insurance and are not eligible for government-assisted health care, such as Medicare or Medicaid.
Baltimore City College - The Baltimore City College (BCC), also referred to as The Castle on the Hill, historically The College, and most commonly City, is a public college-preparatory magnet school in Baltimore, Maryland.
Coldstream - Homestead - Montebello Community Corporation (CHMCC) - Nestled between serene Lake Montebello, invigorating Clifton Park, and traversed by scenic Olmstead Brothers designed boulevards, is the community of Coldstream - Homestead – Montebello. Rich in diverse housing stock, this north east Baltimore community is filled with natural beauty and marked by the enduring spirit of the residents who are the force behind the community's renaissance. Their energies are channeled through the (CHMCC) a leader in community empowerment.