Let's start with the mission statement:

It is the mission of the Community Center at St. Frances Academy to distinguish itself in the city of Baltimore as a forward thinking, challenging, embracing and holistic place of service. The Community Center takes the "e" in St. Frances of Rome's name seriously. It stands for the responsibility and privilege to educate, edify, empower and entertain our God given neighbors of every race, age, religion and economic background. The Community Center seeks to represent the founding vision of Mother Mary Lange and the Oblate Sisters of Providence in these times.

The Community Center was opened in the winter of 2002. It contains 33,500 square feet of great, well-used space: a gymnasium, a multi-purpose room, a conference room, seven classrooms (three of which are computer labs), a state of the art kitchen, a weight room and a health suite which serves as the school nurse's office during the school year. Our ongoing programs include referral to a GED class, job hunting assistance, a nutritious & cost effective cooking class, an after school and summer camp for neighborhood children, voter registration and community mediation services. Special events of the Community Center are:

• Martin Luther King Day Jobs Fair,
• A Halloween Party and Haunted House,
• A Read-a-thon,
• Bea Gaddy Day Food Drive, and
• Summer Peace Camp for six weeks teaching non-violence and positive conflict resolution to area children.

An addition to the Community Center is a ceramic mural dedicated to the Oblate Sisters of Providence in the area right outside the building. A couple of summers ago (2004), stepping-stones and benches were added to the area near the mural to make it a place of relaxation and reflection on the historic struggle for civil rights. The mural is named after a poem written by Maya Angelou entitled, "And Still I Rise". Right next to that mural is one painted by staff and volunteers of Comcast Cable Company on its "Comcast Cares Day in April of 2010.  It helps us celebrate Comcast's very generous support of Peace Camp 2010 at SFA.

Most events and activities are free and open to the public, including to St. Frances Academy students and their parents or guardians. Students are always welcome to volunteer to help out with Community Center activities as part of fulfilling their community service obligation. Prior authorization from their teacher and the Community Center staff is required.

Five classrooms on the second floor of the Community Center are used by the school for instruction during the school day and the community uses two. St. Frances students and staff for Gym classes use the gymnasium during the day and athletic practices and events during the afternoons, evenings and on weekends. Space in the Community Center-Gymnasium is available for leasing to the public for a favorable fee. Contact the Community Center office for a fee schedule and to be scheduled. The Community Center offices are reachable at 410-539-5794, ext. 30 or 28.

The Community Center exists to serve the school and the community. Again, if you have any needs, questions or comments, the Community Center Director can be reached at 410-539-5794, ext 30. My assistant can be reached at extension is 28.


Ralph E. Moore, Jr.
Director of the Community Center