Creating Opportunities and Resources in Education Squared Inc (CORE2)
CORE2 is a re-launch of CORE, which was established in December,2008. Dr. Jeffrey O. Holmes and 5 board members: Dr. Yvonne M. Crawford, Mr. Eddie Scott, Pastor Jerome Holmes, Mrs. Vanessa Tyson, Mr. Marcus Williams Esq. This group led the original and continued mission to provide educational resources, support and advocacy for school-aged students, their families and those committed to serving them well.
Dr. Holmes has always carried a burden in his heart for the plight of African-American males. Academically, this sub-group continues to perform at the bottom of all standardized testing data, and is by far the student demographic with the highest suspension rates and referrals to special education. Dr Holmes has dedicated his career to changing these dismal outcomes. As principal of Longfields Elementary School, and with the support of three male teachers, Marquis Holden, Michael Brown and Jeremy Keys, in January 2008, he established Men of Tomorrow Mentoring program (M.O.T).lLater, with the support and leadership of Sylvia Watkins, and Lakeida Shearer, its sister organization Girls Empowered to Meet Success (G.E.M.S.) was also established. These groups were formed to strengthen each participant’s personal character, develop servanthood, and enrich and strengthen student’s social and academic skills.
When the original group of students began to transition from elementary to middle school, students and their families missed the support that M.O.T and G.E.M.S provided. The initial effort was to make both mentoring groups a community organization. The initial efforts were slow to take root. As Dr Holmes and the original leaders moved on to other schools, they attempted to replicate M.O.T and G.E.M.S in different schools Prince George’s County. However, the development loss its steam when volunteers began to pursue education and career opportunities. CORE was birthed to continue serving students after they transitioned to middle school through high school.
A CALL TO ACTION
The COVID-19 pandemic changed education forever. The learning and opportunity gaps for minority and low performing students were exacerbated with the loss of in-person instruction. The summer of 2020 further exposed the breadth and depth of prejudice, that has existed since the founding of the United States. The death of George Floyd and others at the hands of police, followed by the January 6, 2021, insurrection on the Capitol in protest of the 2020 election results presents a grave reality. These events became a call to action for Creating Opportunities and Resources in Education Squared (CORE2) to re-commit to the fight on behalf of our children. We are committed to educating, equipping and empowering children, their families and those committed in to serving them well.
