The Children's Guild - 2023 Annual Report

A Message from Our President & CEO

I am filled with immense pride and gratitude that we accomplished what
we said we would do for children and families throughout the past year.
Our journey, powered by strategic partnerships with foundations, government
partners, donors, volunteers, and community organizations, has allowed us to
provide individualized transformational experiences to children and families.

Our schools and programs, complemented by wrap-around services, are designed to meet the unique needs of those we serve. At The Children’s Guild, we strive to ensure that every child, regardless of their unique challenges, is equipped with the resources they need to navigate their personal growth journey. This mission is made possible by the support of our donors and partners, whose collective efforts have advanced our mission and increased our organization’s capacity to do more.

The year 2023 was marked by countless success stories that resonate with our core mission. Witnessing our students overcome hurdles and achieve academic and personal milestones is a profound source of inspiration, prompting us to foster greater innovation in our approach. We are excited for you to explore these inspiring stories within our annual report.

These success stories are only a glimpse of the daily commitment and dedication of our staff at The Children’s Guild. Every stride made by a student is a collective accomplishment, and I celebrate our staff’s passion, innovative strategies, and tireless dedication, which are the cornerstones of our ability to transform challenges into opportunities for enrichment and learning.

As we celebrate our achievements, I extend my heartfelt thanks to you, our valued supporters and partners, who have walked this path with us for over 70 years. Your belief in our mission, trust in our organization, and generous contributions have been instrumental in helping children, families, and communities thrive. As we build on last year’s milestones, I commit to continuing to steer The Children’s Guild forward as we break down barriers, inspire change, and build a world where every child can realize their potential.

Thank you for joining us on this remarkable journey.
Jenny Livelli Signature
Jenny Livelli, President and CEO, The Children’s Guild

Our Values Set Our Standard

Our dedicated staff has diverse backgrounds and a wide array of experience as educators. They are trained to meet their students and families with a personalized approach, offering the kind of support and tangible resources that make a real difference. At our schools, learning knows no bounds, ensuring every student has the chance to thrive.

I realize that teaching is my calling.
Despite the most challenging
situations, I want to help others.

Curt Cruz
Teacher at The Children’s Guild
School of Prince George’s County

In 2023, there were ~2650
students enrolled across all The Children’s Guild schools and nearly 30 in TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), our teen work-study program.

Every child should experience the joy of a playground. The Orokawa Foundation is thrilled to support this amazing project, which promotes sensory exploration, sparks students’ creativity, and helps them develop a passion for learning beyond the classroom.

Samantha Cleland Manekin
Executive Director
The Orokawa Foundation

Student Wellness Extends Beyond the Classroom

In 2023, we unveiled The Orokawa Foundation Playground at The Children’s Guild – Transformation Academy, a project brought to life with support from The Orokawa Foundation, a state grant, and the collaborative efforts of our community.

With the help of Maryland Governor Wes Moore, our partners, staff, and students, we celebrated the grand opening of The Orokawa Foundation Playground located in Baltimore, MD. The custom-designed play space features 25 inclusive features, ensuring a fully accessible and sensory-rich experience for students with diverse learning needs, including those with sensory, autism, and hearing challenges. This initiative reflects our commitment to creating environments where all students can thrive through active play and interaction.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2023, approximately
1 in 36
children in the United States were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The Children’s Guild has three non-public schools equipped to serve students with autism spectrum disorder in creative ways: The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore, The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County, and The Children’s Guild – Transformation Academy.

A Child’s Environment Should Support Their Learning

In honor of Louise G. Goldberg, a former dedicated teacher and board member of The Children’s Guild, generous donors helped create a vocational room at The Children’s Guild – Transformation Academy. The Louise G. Goldberg Vocational Room offers students with moderate to severe learning disabilities pathways to skill development and job readiness-enhancing their employability and overall quality of life. From basic food prep to cleaning to counting money, Transformation Academy students are learning life skills that would be difficult to gain elsewhere.

This new space represents a significant milestone in our commitment to providing an inclusive educational environment. This space supports the social, emotional, and sensory needs of our students on the autism spectrum, empowering them to thrive.

Vesna Grujicic
Principal of The Children’s Guild
– Transformation Academy

According to the Autism Society, nearly
70%
of young adults on the autism spectrum are either unemployed or not pursuing higher education after high school. At all three of our non-public schools, we have opportunities for our students to learn career skills they can use after high school.

A Well-trained Staff Builds a Community Students Trust

The Children’s Guild DC Charter School (TCGDC) has a mixed community of students receiving general and special education, and the school prides itself on using culture and community to manage student behaviors so they can thrive in the classroom. TCGDC fosters a supportive environment that promotes strong relationships among students, families, and staff. The heart of our school is the belief that every student matters and every moment counts. Staff nurtures behaviors by striving to build a positive school culture each day, which provides a bedrock for learning. School-wide norms help students to feel a sense of safety and community to convey high behavior expectations and offer a balance of educational, social, and emotional needs. This approach enables TCGDC to meet the diverse needs of all students, fostering an environment where they can reach their full potential.

A recent survey by the EdWeek Research Center shows
70%
of educators say students are misbehaving more than the fall of 2019 – before the pandemic.

More Than Colorful,
Artwork Helps Communicate

Art is not just a form of decoration at The Children’s Guild schools; it is a fundamental component of the curriculum and overall culture. Intricately designed murals and interactive installations present in all eight of our schools are purposefully integrated to cater to the senses and offer visual stimulation to students. This sensory approach is significant for special education students, who often benefit greatly from hands-on learning and visual aids to comprehend and process information effectively.

At Monarch Academy Annapolis, students walk through an interactive sensory hallway outside the special education rooms, which offers students a space to decompress and rejuvenate as they take a few moments to push the buttons, make music, or turn the flaps. The school’s main hallway also features a unique Sensory Brain Path that engages students in sensory learning through interactive activities, like clapping their hands and having lights go off, that help them foster a deeper understanding and engagement.

Recent studies suggest the arts can promote health and psychological well-being and offer a therapeutic tool for many, e.g., adolescents, elderly, and vulnerable individuals.

Art and Psychological Well-Being:
Linking the Brain to the Aesthetic Emotion,
Frontier April 3, 2019

While art is important for all children, it’s crucial for kids with special needs. Artistic activities directly exercise and strengthen the cognitive and physical skills that generally challenge special needs children, such as oral, tactile, visual, sensory, and motor skills.

Rosa Clemens-Hines,
The Transformative Power of Art
for Kids with Special Needs

We Show Up for the
Whole Community

The Children’s Guild sponsored Autism Speaks Washington, DC, and Baltimore Walks in 2023. We believe in being active in the communities we serve and supporting families through advocacy and partnerships. Staff and families from The Children’s Guild’s schools and programs participated in the walk and helped other attendees through our booths at both events.

We show up at community events such as Autism Speaks to not only connect with new families we are not currently serving at one of our schools or through any of our supporting programs, but also to champion the causes of the communities we serve. Community events are an opportunity for the public to engage with our staff on a one-on-one basis and learn more about the wide range of resources we provide.

20+
staff from The Children’s Guild and our schools and programs volunteered as hosts or participated in the Autism Speaks Walks in Washington, DC, and Baltimore.

A Vision Beyond High School

The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore’s Career Center focuses on preparing students for life after high school. Teachers work with students on essential skills required for diverse career paths, whether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce. Mr. Randall Rykiel, a teacher in the career center, emphasizes the development of soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and work ethic, recognizing their universal importance in any job setting. Hands-on activities engage students with diverse interests and abilities and allow them to see the direct application of their skills in real-world scenarios.

I love seeing them excited to come to class and do the work. I love seeing that they’re able to communicate what career they want to do.

Randall Rykiel
Teacher, The Children’s Guild
School of Baltimore

Career and College Readiness Course | The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore

Tee Off for a
Great Cause!
Join us at our next Annual Golf Classic!

In 2023, the 16th Annual Golf Tournament at The Preserve at Eisenhower Golf Course was a tremendous success, raising over $87,000! The event was sold out, and it was truly a spectacular day. We owe this achievement to the incredible generosity and support of our golf chairs, vendors, golfers, and sponsors. Thank you all for making it possible!

Congratulations to the 2023 winners:

First Place
Mark Peck, Tom Burgoon, Chad Mathias, Mia Millette
Second Place
Todd Lamb, Mike Walsh, David Carroll, Kearny Raver
Third Place
Brian Partlow, Dan Westfall, Stephen Speck, Whit DeVoe

Longest Drive
Carl Wright
Closest to the Pin
Mark Burton
Putting Contest
George McDowell

We’re thrilled to announce a fresh venue for this year’s 17th Annual Golf Classic taking place on Monday, September 16, 2024. We’ve selected the renowned Renditions Golf Course in Davidsonville, MD, celebrated for its creative layout that features replicas of iconic holes from major championship course venues around the world. This course promises a fun and unique golf experience for all participants.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Learn More and Register

Why Support | The Children’s Guild

The Children’s Guild Achievements

400 Remarkable Students
graduated from our nine education
programs this year.

3,968 children were served in 2023.

4 articles on special education
were published in 2023.

The Children’s Guild moved its headquarters from Baltimore, MD, to Washington, DC.
This move is helping expand educational programs, increase and leverage new partnerships with regional and national organizations with similar missions, grow opportunities with donors, be more centrally located to staff and families, and bring vital, rewarding careers to the area.

Dr. Katina Webster, principal of The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore, testified before the Maryland Senate on Maryland Senate Bill 311, which pursues a pay increase for special education teachers.
This bill was passed and is now law in Maryland.

Monarch Academy Annapolis
exceeded its application goals
for the 2024-2025 school year during Anne Arundel County Public Schools Lottery season.

Monarch Academy Glen Burnie and Monarch Global Academy Laurel each earned
4 out of 5-star rating
from the Maryland State Department of Education.

The Children’s Guild Recognitions

A program of The Children’s Guild Workforce Development department, TranZed Apprenticeships, was named as an Apprenticeship Ambassador by the US Department of Labor. Apprenticeship Ambassador organizations help the department promote and support Registered Apprenticeship opportunities nationwide.

The Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s County and The Children’s Guild School of Baltimore both received recertification of approval of the “Placement of Students with Disabilities in Nonpublic Schools Amendment Act of 2006” and the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations from the Washington DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

The Children’s Guild’s Treatment Foster Care program and Outpatient Mental Health Clinic (OMHC) received a three-year recertification from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). A CARF accreditation is an assurance for families that we strive to offer the highest-quality services.

Celebrating Seven
Decades of Impact

In 2023, The Children’s Guild marked a momentous milestone: the 70th anniversary of our founding. This occasion gives us a moment to reflect on and celebrate our rich history of making a difference in the lives of children and families. For seven decades, we have been at the forefront of offering comprehensive support through our special education and charter schools, school-based mental health services, treatment foster care, autism services, family mental and behavioral health services, and workforce development programs.

Our journey over the years has been one of innovation, compassion, and unwavering commitment to those we serve. We have witnessed countless stories of transformation, resilience, and hope — stories that underscore the importance and impact of our work.

As we honor our past, we are also firmly focused on the future. We remain dedicated to providing tangible resources to those we serve. The foundation laid over the past 70 years provides a strong base from which we can grow, adapt, and continue to make a meaningful difference in ways that meet the needs of our communities. As we step into the next chapter of our story, we do so with gratitude for the past, excitement for the present, and optimism for the future.

Message from the Board Chair

As board chair, it is both a privilege and a responsibility to share our journey over the past year. I extend my gratitude to each of you — our generous donors and partners — for your support and commitment. Together, we have navigated challenges, celebrated achievements, and made a profound impact on the lives of those we serve.

Under the leadership of Jenny Livelli, The Children’s Guild’s President and CEO, and the strategic direction of our board, we’ve achieved significant milestones that directly reflect our mission in action. These accomplishments, highlighted throughout this report, are evidence of the collective efforts of our incredible team and the transformative power of our work. We faced our share of challenges this year, but it was through resilience, innovation, and a shared commitment to our mission that we turned obstacles into opportunities. This adaptability is a core strength of The Children’s Guild and a key reason for our impact.

Financially, we remain committed to the responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. Our financial health is strong, ensuring that we can continue to invest in programs and initiatives that drive our mission forward. Looking ahead, we are excited by the opportunities to grow. Our strategic priorities are clear, and with your continued support, we will expand our reach, innovate our services, and transform more lives.

I invite you to join us on this journey. Your involvement is vital as we work to break down barriers and build brighter futures for the children and families we serve.

Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your belief in our mission.
Andrew Hahn Signature
Andrew Hahn, Board Chair, The Children’s Guild

The Children’s Guild Board Members

Andrew Hahn, Board Chair
Eric Collier
Sonjie DeCaires
Julie Dwyer
Shawn Hart
Dr. Sundra Ryce Hardy
Dr. Kandace M. Hoppin
Howard Kurman
Keri Lowry
Jerry Partlow
Robert Seabrooks
Judy Shaw
Neil Young

The Children’s Guild DC Public
Charter School Board of Directors

Robert Seabrooks, Board Chair
Ladayta Artis*
Mayra D. Figueroa-Clark, LICSW
Cleopatra Green-Clark
Myesha R. Holmes*
Yolanda Lusane, Ph.D., PT, CAPM
Rev. Charles W. McNeill, Jr.
Jessica Rios
Angelo Wong, III
*Parent Representative

Monarch, Anne Arundel Board of Directors

Dr. Kandace M. Hoppin, Board Chair Carley K. Czyzewski, Vice Chair
Rotunda Floyd-Cooper
Janine Fratantuono
Dr. Sissy Jimenez
Brittany Jones*
Rashida Kimbrue Major
Kevin Martin*
Ray Szyperski
Annie Wilmoth
*Parent Representative

The Children’s Guild
Senior Leadership

Jenny Livelli, M. Ed., President and CEO
Elizabeth Garcia, LCSW-C, MSSA, MNO, Chief People Officer
Hughes Johnson, MS, Chief Operating Officer
Chris Zimmerman, Chief Financial Officer

Monarch, Anne Arundel Board of Directors

Employee Engagement
and Partnership

We enhance employee engagement by actively incorporating diverse perspectives in decision-making processes. This inclusive approach allows The Children’s Guild to customize its services to address the unique needs of the communities we serve, ultimately contributing to a thriving overall community. This is achieved through regular activities, such as the monthly DEI Council meeting, and ensuring comprehensive representation from all facets of the organization within the council.

Strategic Plan Implementation

In 2023, The Children’s Guild continued in our efforts to meet and exceed the priorities set in our strategic plan, guided by a clear vision and committed efforts across various fronts. Our strategic initiatives this year were designed to not only advance our mission but also to solidify our foundation for future growth and impact.

Partnerships and Community Engagement

A cornerstone of our strategy this year has been the development and reinforcement of partnerships with key organizations and stakeholders within the community. A highlight of this effort was our collaboration with The Orokawa Foundation, which generously contributed to two significant projects in 2023: the creation of an adaptive playground and the development of a vocational training classroom at The Children’s Guild – Transformation Academy. Such partnerships demonstrate our commitment to utilizing community resources effectively for community care and education. In addition, our engagement with the Maryland state government, and particularly the support received from the governor’s office, played a crucial role in enhancing our outreach and elevating our organization’s work and impact within the community. We also worked to form local partnerships, such as our connection with Civitan International’s local Baltimore Club. Community partnerships allow us to support more families through shared resources.

Financial Stability and Growth

Understanding the importance of a healthy financial foundation, we focused on enhancing our organization’s financial position. This involved both optimizing our existing resources and exploring new avenues for funding. Through targeted efforts, we aimed to ensure the sustainability of our programs and the scalability of our impact.

Engagement and
Fundraising Activities

Our strategic plan also emphasized the importance of engaging our supporters and the wider community through meaningful events. The successful organization of fundraising events, such as our Annual Golf Classic, not only served as vital revenue streams but also as platforms for engaging the community with the growing needs of the populations we serve.

Operational Excellence
and Innovation

At the operational level, we are committed to continuous improvement and innovation in our service delivery. This included refining our processes and ensuring that our programs are accessible and responsive to the needs of those we serve.

The strategic steps we’ve taken have not only strengthened our organization but also deepened our impact on the children, families, and communities we serve. Our journey in 2023 was marked by collective effort, resilience, and a shared commitment to our mission. With a solid strategic foundation in place, we look forward to building on these successes and exploring new opportunities for growth and impact in the years to come.

Grants Awarded
January–December 2023

Pre-K Expansion Grant / Monarch Academy Annapolis – MSDE funds awarded to offer a lower-income preschool program for 120 students in 6 classrooms.
Pre-K Capacity Grant / Monarch Preschool College Park – MSDE funds awarded to offer a lower-income preschool program for 20 students in 1 classroom.
Capital Award / Monarch Preschool College Park – MD government monies awarded to fund a playground for the preschool.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables / The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School (TCGDCPCS) – TDB OSSE funds awarded to serve fresh fruits and vegetables at the school.

National School Lunch Program – TBD OSSE funds awarded to serve fresh fruits and vegetables at the school.
E-Rate CAT 1 / All Schools & Programs – Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Funds awarded for discounted telecommunications services, internet access, and internal connections.
Protecting Against Hate Crimes (PAHC) Grant / Monarch Academies – Funds awarded by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention to conduct safety and security projects at schools.
Hate Crimes / TCG Non-public Schools – Maryland Center for School Safety (MSDE) awarded funds for safety and security projects at each school.

Laurel Racetrack Impact Award / Monarch Global Academy – Funds awarded for a Library Beautification Project, which included a new ADA-compliant circulation desk and mobile shelving.
Nonpublic Aging Schools Grants – Funds were awarded to the two nonpublic schools for capital projects.
Summer Accelerator Grant / TCGDCPCS – Funds awarded to support a 6-week summer program that focused on math and language arts for approximately 25 students.
Nonpublic Schools Safety Improvement Grant – Funds were awarded to the two nonpublic schools for safety/security projects.

Capital Grants

Capital Award / Transformation Academy – MD state monies awarded for several major projects in support of Transformation Academy.
Capital Award / Monarch Academy Annapolis – Funds awarded to renovate the current gymnasium at Monarch Academy Annapolis and create The Honorable Michael E. Busch Recreation and Arts Center, a community center that will offer both a recreational space and a performing arts space in Anne Arundel County.