By Megan Catherwood For Middleburg Life
Moore, Clemens & Co
ML
Savings & Solutions with 105 years of Insurance Service
M i d d l e b u r g
Windy Hill’s Family Program Coordinator Making a Difference
Middleburg
Leesburg
C. Fred Kohler 540 687 6316
Why, oh why, didn’t you call Moore, Clemens?
L i f e
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fresh and invigorating breeze has arrived at the Windy Hill neighborhood in Middleburg. Thomas Garnett, Family Programs Coordinator, has circulated new energy around the Windy Hill Foundation’s efforts to encourage self-improvement and self-sufficiency among its residents. While many are familiar with the decades-long initiative to provide safe, decent and affordable housing to lower income families in the Middleburg area, this other aspect of the foundation’s mission is perhaps less broadly known. Garnett centers his attention on two priorities. First, develop strong educational programs. Second, build a “one big family” environment. “This position appealed to me because it offered flexibility to create something new . . . and respond to the needs of the people living here,” Garnett told Middleburg Life. “The foundation and its board are very supportive and very people-focused.” The Winchester resident has been on the job for close to two years and the results are promising. One young woman, Alexius Simms, is a first generation college student who just started
Thomas Garnett on the job
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Village Community Room, and, most importantly, many volunteers from the broader community. “We rely heavily on their help and can always use more,” Garnett said. Garnett stays in close contact with teachers and guidance counselors, and spends a considerable amount of his time in the local schools, tracking student progress and making sure his plans and programs relate to expectations. In addition to SAT prep, after-school tutoring for elementary age children and homework help for middle and high school students, there is weekly Story Time plus a new Reading Buddies program pairing kids, grades one through five, with peers from the Hill School. Health and Wellness classes and Financial Management Workshops in partnership with TD Bank are also offered. Camp is a summer staple, along with the community garden. To help nurture a positive atmosphere, there are now regular potlucks, cookouts, game nights and movie nights plus a family field trip for every season. Outings have Courtesy of Windy Hill Foundation included Funland in Fredericksburg, the Windy Hill children thriving with new programs Marine Corp Museum and a Washington Wizards game. The new and expanded programs are availat Norfolk State University. She benefitted from able to residents and their children free of charge, Garnett’s help with SAT preparation and strength- thanks to the generosity of Windy Hill Foundaening her grades, plus a first-ever college tour he tion supporters. organized for students and parents. She’s believed Seventy percent of the 125 residents who to be the first Windy Hill resident in eight years to live in the three Windy Hill communities on enroll at a four-year university. either side of Route 50 take part in programs. Another resident recently graduated from Thirty-eight residents are children, nearly all of Job Corps-DC’s culinary arts program. Two high school age, and Garnett said every child particischool seniors — both with GPAs over 3.0 — are pates in one way or another. currently immersed in the college application Garnett incorporates conflict resolution process. into his work. His graduate program practicum Working directly with the students is what helped lead peace-building workshops in RichGarnett most enjoys. mond’s inner-city high schools. “They’re very passionate about their futures “I tell them people will provoke you,” he and every single student — all ages, even elemen- said. “The way in which they carry themselves, tary — says ‘I want to go to college.’ That was not treat situations and people, show resiliency . . . in the conversation here before. My own back- it all matters. We have zero tolerance for bullyground helps me connect with them. I was born ing, and the kids work together to write up and in a third world country and had to work hard for take ownership of what is acceptable language everything.” and behavior here. It’s very pleasing to me to be At 14, he came to the United States from involved in their transformation. I look forward Liberia, arriving in Delaware for his high school to it every day.” years. He went on to Delaware State University “Transformation” was what launched the and then graduate school at Eastern Menno- Windy Hill movement back in the 1980s, when nite University for a master’s degree in Conflict Rene Llewellyn first had the vision to remodel the Resolution. rundown houses of tenants living along Windy “I tell students just show the effort, the Hill Road. Her legacy continues with the building resources are here for you,” he said. of new homes, new hope and now, with Thomas Those resources include a dedicated study Garnett on the scene, so much more. n space with six computer stations in the Llewellyn
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