Last Updated on May 8, 2025
Sandtown Connection
Ted Churn and Dan Matthews, Co-Leaders
Our Mission: Listen, Learn, Seek Understanding
Born from the aftermath of the 2015 unrest following Freddie Grace death at the hands of the police, CSC was founded by concerned Charlestown residents determined to make a difference. Ten years later the partnership continues collaborating with non-profit organizations in the Sandtown area of Baltimore City. They are New Song Learning Center (fundraising, tutoring), No Boundaries Fresh at the Avenue (food market}, Jubilee Arts (scholarships for classes in the arts), and Turnaround Tuesday (coaching and life skills to return to work.)
Board of Director meetings are open to volunteers and residents. Guests welcome.
| SCHEDULE | TIME | LOCATION |
| First Wednesday in even months | 11 AM – 12:30 PM | Brookside Classroom 2 |
Remaining Meetings for 2025: June 4, August 6, October 1, December 3
Our Story
Born from the aftermath of the 2015 unrest following Freddie Gray’s death at the hands of the police, cSc was founded by concerned residents determined to make a difference. A decade later, we continue our mission as a registered 501(c)(3) organization, guided by a committed Board of Directors. We support four non-profit community organizations: New Song Academy, No Boundaries Coalition, Jubilee Arts, and Turnaround Tuesday.
What We Do
cSc supports the organizations in the Sandtown community through:
- Volunteer Mobilization: Connecting passionate individuals with meaningful opportunities to serve.
- Fundraising Initiatives: Generating resources to fuel impactful programs.
Our Impact
For over 10 years, we’ve been:
- Fostering meaningful relationships between Charlestown residents and the Sandtown community.
- Supporting initiatives that create lasting positive change.
- Building bridges of understanding across diverse neighborhoods.
The Charlestown-Sandtown Connection (cSc) has a new landing page to make it easy to sign up for the quarterly newsletter. The link can be found on MyErickson > Clubs/Organization> Charlestown-Sandtown Connection or here on CCIcharlestown.org. Your name will go directly to the MailChimp website which is used for the newsletter.
Charlestown Sandtown Newsletter
Charlestown-Sandtown Connection table at the September 2023 Fruits of Our Labors
Join the Charlestown-Sandtown-Connection (cSc) School Supply Drive
From August 14th to August 18th, the annual school supply drive to benefit New Song Academy in the Sandtown community is back, and we need your help!
On Friday, August 18th, between 10 AM and 2 PM, we will set up collection tables at the Terrace, Fireside, and Cross Creek. These convenient locations will make it easy for you to drop off your donations and show your support for education.
If you’re unable to attend the event but still want to make a difference, don’t worry! Simply reach out to Donna Chesson or Dan Matthews and they will gladly arrange for pick-up of your donation. Contact information can be found in the Resident Directory, available on MyErickson.
Here’s a list of items requested this year: pencils, colored pencils, crayons, highlighters, backpacks, glue sticks, plastic rulers, scissors, colored construction paper, tissues, paper towels, post-it notes, band-aids, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes.
The dedicated teachers have a special request for individual packaged snacks such as pretzels, graham crackers, granola bars, and chips (please note: no peanut butter).
Also, plain white polo shirts and navy-blue hoodies in all sizes are needed as part of the uniform. A comprehensive list will be posted on the bulletin boards before the collections begin.
If you prefer to make a monetary donation, those funds will directly support teachers’ classrooms and allow them to purchase specific items their students need. Simply make your check payable to Charlestown-Sandtown-Connection. You can bring your donation to the tables on the 18th or send it to David Douds, Treasurer. Contact information can be found in the Resident Directory, available on MyErickson. You will receive a receipt for your records.
We can’t thank you enough for your support. By participating in the school supply drive, you’re not only providing essential tools for learning but also sending a powerful message of solidarity and hope.