Durant Center Hosts Back-to-School Giveaway
Not far from Suitland High School, the Durant Center hosted a back-to-school community day on the afternoon of Aug. 24 outside of their office on Silver Hill Road. The event, free to the public, included a backpack giveaway, a DJ, free haircuts, a moon bounce and tables with community resources such as the Suitland Civic Association and PGPD Explorers Program.
Over the course of the event, 1,000 backpacks were made available along with snacks and school supplies for attending families.
Throughout the event, Wanda Durant, executive director of the Durant Center and mother of NBA superstar Kevin Durant, took pictures with appreciative fans and talked at community tables when she had a spare moment.
“The possibilities education provides are allowing the young to imagine, to do whatever it is they want to do,” Durant told The Informer. “It opens opportunities to do the things they’ve dreamed, and to believe in themselves and go higher and farther.”
Durant is no stranger to philanthropy. The executive director, her family and the Durant Center, have previously dedicated funds to the Seat Pleasant Activity Center and to Bowie State University’s basketball arena, giving back to the rising generation of Prince Georgians.
Community leaders and members talked about the importance of the Durant Center’s work.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic. I’m interested and reassured in connecting with the community. We are building these students into well-educated citizens that will perform well into the future. A lot of people don’t believe Suitland is a good school based on what they think about the community and that’s just not true. This is a wonderful school,” said new Suitland High School’s new principal Maurice Wright, who was on hand for the giveaway.
“I was here from 2003-2007, and the students performed Spectacularly, and I expect these young folks to do the same. We’re operating off an ‘all-in theory.’ The community, the school, the students, and the educators are all working, making sure we all achieve excellence. We are all in!”
The Durant Center also runs College Track, focused on helping students both get into college and succeed academically while enrolled. They have provided over 300 scholarships, with the overwhelming majority being to first generation and low-income students.
Eight College Track students were celebrated during the community day, several of whom attended Suitland High School.
“We know that it’s important that youth have a foundation. Life is much easier when you get what you need,” said event volunteer Neven Milline. He expects that there will be another community event with the Durant Center this Thanksgiving.
“We’re working from the elementary kids all the way to the high schoolers to make sure their school needs are met,” said Milline.
PGPD, Jacob’s Ladder Team Up to Open Upper Marlboro Community Closet
The Prince George’s Police Department (PGPD) is partnering with Jacob’s Ladder Youth Foundation to open a community closet to provide clothing for those in need, especially students as the new school year ramps up.
“Kids might be at the bus stops and don’t have coats walking to school,” said Jacob’s Ladder founder Jarriel Jordan.
Jacob’s Ladder aims to help reduce poverty, unemployment, and crime.
“That’s when we come in and assist the community with these resources,” Jordan explained.
Donations are being collected at the Westphalia-Division VIII Patrol Station, located at 8803 Police Plaza in Upper Marlboro, and are welcome year-round. Unused toiletries, baby clothes, sweaters, jackets, suits, shirts, pants, and shoes are all accepted throughout the year.
“Going to school can be a very stressful time, so a lot of parents don’t have or don’t want to come out and say that they don’t have clothes,” said PGPD Community Captain Thomas Boone. “We want to give them the opportunity with the clothing closet… Partners such as Jacob’s Ladder say ‘Hey we’re here to fill in that gap.’”
For more information, contact the program coordinator at 301-516-5200.