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LearnBetterTogether!
Building Stronger Communities Through Education and Collaboration
The LearnBetterTogether! Initiative is a community-focused effort led by BTS to combat child poverty and improve educational outcomes in the Greater Glenarden Community. With over two decades of experience in the area, BTS is partnering with local organizations to create a holistic, collaborative framework that integrates education into every aspect of community life. Learn more about how this initiative empowers all community members through access to tailored services and learning opportunities.
What is the LearnBetterTogether! Initiative?
The LearnBetterTogether! Initiative is a comprehensive community development effort led by Better than School (BTS) to address child poverty, uplift families, and improve educational outcomes in the Greater Glenarden Community, which includes parts of Landover and Riverdale. Identified by the state of Maryland as an area with high concentrations of children living in poverty, the region has long faced systemic challenges. The LearnBetterTogether! initiative seeks to break this cycle by empowering individuals and families through education and collaborative services.
Our Mission
At its core, the LearnBetterTogether! Initiative is about creating lasting change by ensuring that learning opportunities are accessible to every community member—children, parents, and partners alike. Through a holistic approach that addresses housing, economics, health, and education, the initiative empowers individuals and strengthens the fabric of the community.
BTS and its partners are united in the belief that education is the key to transforming lives. Through this initiative, we aim to create pathways for success by providing tailored services to meet the diverse needs of Glenarden’s residents.
How We Do It
The LearnBetterTogether! initiative is built on four key pillars:
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Education at the Core framework: From early childhood programs to youth development and adult education, we aim to ensure that learning is a lifelong process. LearnBetterTogether! Education is woven into every facet of the community.
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Collaboration & Partnership: Collaboration is at the heart of this initiative. We work closely with local schools, community organizations, housing authorities, and healthcare providers to align services and resources. Our partners play a critical role in helping us deliver targeted interventions and programs that make a tangible impact on the lives of Glenarden residents.
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Community-Driven Development: The LearnBetterTogether! initiative recognizes that sustainable community development requires more than just addressing immediate needs—fostering local ownership. We engage community members in every step of the process, ensuring that programs are responsive to the community’s unique needs and priorities.
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Holistic Support: The initiative is designed to address educational needs and broader social determinants of well-being. Through partnerships focusing on housing, health, and economic security, LearnBetterTogether! ensures that families have the support they need to create a stable, nurturing environment for learning.
Programs & Services
LearnBetterTogether! offers a wide range of programs and services that target key areas of community development:
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Early Childhood Education: Engaging young learners with foundational skills that set them up for long-term success
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Newton’s Thinkers Program: A hands-on, project-based learning experience for students, integrating STEM and real-world problem-solving.
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Afterschool Academic Support: Tutoring and personalized academic assistance that complements in-school learning.
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Health & Wellness Initiatives: Partnering with healthcare providers to address the health needs of families, including nutrition, mental health, and wellness programs.
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Housing Stability Support: Collaborating with housing authorities to provide families with stable living conditions that support academic success.
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Economic Empowerment Workshops: Offering financial literacy programs, job training, and career development opportunities to help families achieve economic security.
Impact & Vision
The LearnBetterTogether! Initiative is more than just a project—it’s a long-term vision for the Greater Glenarden Community. By providing an ecosystem of support, this initiative aims to create lasting change for generations to come. Our approach combines academic growth with community well-being, recognizing that both are essential to breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering a thriving, resilient community.
Our vision is to create a community where every child has the opportunity to learn, every family has the resources they need to succeed, and every partnership is focused on improving outcomes for all.
Other Focus Areas in Prince George’s County
Beyond Glenarden, BTS is actively exploring partnerships with Connect & Serve, the United Way of the National Capital Area, and other community organizations to expand our educational services into additional high-poverty areas of Prince George’s County. By collaborating with these organizations, we aim to spread the mission of the LearnBetterTogether! initiative and extend our reach to more communities in need.
How To Get Involved
Whether you're a local business, organization, or individual, there are many ways to get involved:
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Partner with Us: We are always looking to expand our network of community partners who share our mission.
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Volunteer Opportunities: Join us in making a difference by volunteering your time and skills.
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Donate: Support our programs by contributing to our efforts to reduce child poverty and improve education in Glenarden.
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Interested in joining us? Reach out here to learn more about partnership opportunities.