One of the most exciting transitions for Montgomery County kids who participate in the So What Else, Inc. after-school and summer programming happens when they age out as participants and become volunteer assistants, passing on their own experiences to the next group of kids. Not only do these young people benefit from the program, but they go on to meet their Student Service Learning hours, get valuable experience as mentors, and set themselves up for future success.
This is just one of the fantastic ways So What Else strategically creates a sustainable, lasting impact on underserved communities in Montgomery County, Washington DC, and Baltimore. “Our programming is intended to foster children’s imaginations and encourage community involvement,” says Nifemi Olugbemiga, Director of Youth Development MOCO. With locations across Montgomery County, So What Else inspires kids to see themselves in a different, more powerful light.
What began as programming offered to underserved kids has blossomed into much more. With an impressive array of offerings ranging from theater to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities, So What Else offers expansive opportunities for kids to learn life skills and have fun while doing it. Entrepreneurship is one of the program’s critical learning components where young people are taught to identify goals and figure out how to achieve them. Olugbemiga recounts an example of kids learning to make candles and selling them in a fundraiser. “These kids are learning critical entrepreneurial skills, problem-solving, and having fun at the same time,” she says.
So What Else also operates a Food Rescue Bank with multiple locations and home services. Since its inception in March 2020, the program has expanded to serve individuals through a walk-up food pantry, satellite distribution centers, a home delivery program for homebound clients, and by distributing food in bulk to other organizations. “We noticed kids in our programs suffering from hunger during COVID, so when we stepped in to fill that need, we found we could do so much to reduce food insecurity in our target local communities,” says Megan Joe, the Executive Director of the Hunger Relief Program. She is in constant collaboration with other organizations to make the most of all contributions.
The Food Rescue Bank and the Children’s Program have received incredible support from the community. From volunteers helping to lead the kids' programming to food drives and volunteer days packing grocery bags for the walk-up pantry, the organization has opportunities for people to get involved in a way that is both meaningful and best suited to their skills. Olugbemiga recalls the impact when a local actress who grew up to star in the latest production of the musical The Color Purple came to teach a class at the summer theater program. The experience gave the kids a vision of a positive future for themselves, she says. To learn more about how to get involved with So What Else, contact info@sowhatelse.org.
Pull Quotes: - Our programming is intended to foster children’s imaginations and encourage community involvement So What Else has provided approximately 50 million meals since March 2020. We saw kids in our programs suffering from hunger during COVID, and when we stepped in to fill that need, we found we could do so much more for food insecurity in our target local communities