Organization - Greenbrier Learning Center

Greenbrier Learning Center's mission is to promote education, youth leadership and strong families through structured enrichment programs beyond the school day. Utilizing a community-driven approach, we foster academic achievement and personal growth among our after-school students, act as a resource for youth and adults, and increase collaboration among service providers in Northern Virginia.

Description:
The Greenbrier Learning Center (GBLC) works with the children and families of the Columbia Heights West and Village Pike Neighborhoods at two site, Greenbrier Baptist Church and Virginia Gardens Apartments, and serves children from Carlin Springs, Campbell, Claremont, and Randolph Elementary schools. Through its afterschool program, Learning ROCKS!, GBLC provides academic support through tutorials, homework help, and other activities that challenge the children to learn and explore new subjects. Learning ROCKS!
also focuses on strengthening the interpersonal skills of the children and giving them hands-on experiences.

Learning ROCKS! Summer Camp fills the gaps between the end of school, summer school, and the new school year with three sessions of camps. The curriculum is developed to meet the needs of the children enrolled in the program. The camps provide a safe place for the children to be, as well as academically enriching activities, social interaction, and exposure to the community around them through field trips and guest speakers.

To support the Learning ROCKS! afterschool and summer programs GBLC utilizes the talents of six AmeriCorps Members in its Learning Links AmeriCorps Program. Learning Links provides a critical link across three main aspects of a child's day: school, after school, and in the community. AmeriCorps members not only coordinate and support the Learning ROCKS! afterschool program, but also provide direct service support twice a week to the four schools GBLC serves: Carlin Springs, Campbell, Claremont, and Randolph Elementary Schools.

Greenbrier's Learning Center' s Parent Connection at is held at both site, Greenbrier and Virginia Gardens and provide an opportunity for adults to engage in workshops and community meetings. Our workshops fall into four main categories: Healthy Lifestyles, Positive Parenting, Education, and Community and Safety. The topics are determined by the needs and interests of the participants.

The Arlington After-school Networking Group is a coalition of organizations, agencies, and individuals who collaborate to improve the opportunities for Arlington youth during after-school hours. The goals of the group are to increase awareness in the Arlington community of the importance of after-school programs, and share curriculum ideas and best practices among service providers.

History:
Originating from the requests of parents, teachers, and community members seeking after-school, academic tutoring for the children of our neighborhood, the Greenbrier Learning Center (GBLC) opened its doors in 1994. The Arlington Community Foundation, the Greenbrier Baptist Church, and several local corporations partnered to create GBLC, which found a home in the centrally located Greenbrier Baptist Church. While GBLC is not a faith-based organization, the use of the church for one of the elementary programs and our main office has given us both visibility and credibility in the community.

Contact person: Jordan Gurganus, (703) 379-6488 ext: 104, (email)

Address:

5401 S. 7th Road Arlington, VA 22204 (See a map)

Directions:

GLC is located on the 3rd Floor of the Greenbrier Baptist Church. We are at the corner of S. Greenbrier St. and S. 7th Road near the intersection of S. 7th Road and S. Carlin Springs Road.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Ballston,   Walk distance (in minutes): 30 min.   Nearest Bus Stop: ART Bus 41/75, 1 minute walk