Pen Lucy Action Network website FCFPLAN.ORG

Pen Lucy Action Network (PLAN) is a non profit community development corporation which is committed to serving Pen Lucy and its surrounding neighborhoods. PLAN’s mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ through the promotion of educational, social, and economic development by empowering people, families, and communities for a greater Pen Lucy and the surrounding neighborhoods. PLAN currently pursues its mission through several areas of focus, family and youth development, by offering a Learning Center, recreational sports leagues and yearly provision of school supplies, clothing and Christmas gifts at minimal or no cost to Pen Lucy residents. These opportunities allow for academic, athletic, social, spiritual growth as well as financial stability for area youngsters and their families.

LEARNING CENTER
The Learning Center provides opportunities for children to receive one-on-one tutoring in either math or reading. Students are matched with a committed volunteer tutor who meets with them once a week and provides not only academic help, but also spiritual guidance. Tutors lead by example, share their faith and teach students about following Jesus and being community leaders. Students who participate in the Learning Center program often improve by as much as one grade level in their reading or math skills over the course of the year. The learning center teaches children in the Pen Lucy community to work hard and to never give up when they are having difficulty in a subject. Through PLAN, the children are motivated to become better and more diligent students.

SPORTS LEAGUES
PLYP operates 3 sports leagues throughout the year - soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, and flag football in the spring. Volunteer coaches, referees, and parents all help to make this program a success, as students are taught not only the basics of the game, but also life skills such as cooperation, teamwork and good sportsmanship. At the end of the season, each child receives a trophy and team picture. Coaches conduct spiritual “huddles” which give the children an understanding of how God views our conduct. These values often translate from the sports game to the children’s every day lives.

NEIGHBORHOOD STORES
PLAN also maintains yearly Back-to-School and Good Samaritan stores. The Back-to-School store provides school supplies for elementary, middle and high-school aged children while the Good Samaritan store provides winter hats and gloves, and a Christmas toy selection for area children. Both stores offer these items at minimal or no cost to families from the Pen Lucy neighborhood and surrounding areas.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
PLAN needs your financial support and prayers as we continue to expand our services. If you would like to make a donation to this worthy cause, please make your check payable to Pen Lucy Action Network and mail to PLAN, 505 East 42nd Street, Baltimore, MD 21218.

Our History:
In 1998 the Pen Lucy Youth Partnership (PLYP), which now exists under the umbrella of PLAN, was founded through Faith Christian Fellowship Church to address the needs of children and youth in the neighborhood. FCF has been committed to Christian community development in the Pen Lucy neighborhood since its inception in the 1980's, and founded PLAN with these same principles in mind.

Pen Lucy Action Network was incorporated as a nonprofit community development organization the following year, 1999. Since that time, PLAN has provided oversight to the sports leagues and tutoring program, and implemented several other community development ministries, including a substance abuse and addiction recovery program, adult GED classes, and referral services to family counseling and other assistance programs.

Volunteers:
We are grateful for the many hours of service given by our faithful volunteers who come each session eager to either assist countless Pen Lucy children in reading and math skills or recreational sports or help needy families with our annual community stores! Nearly 100 volunteers help to make our programs successful by giving their time as tutors, coaches, referees, helpers in the office or for special events. The volunteers who work with us are committed leaders, who devote their time to Pen Lucy’s youth because they believe in PLAN’s mission and the strength of its goals.

PLAN’s Board of Directors:
Giles Reneau
Jeff Beans
Tim Cannon

PLAN’S PARTNERS
Faith Christian Fellowship Church
Baptist Family and Children’s Services
Loyola University
University of Maryland
Towson State University
Johns Hopkins University
Morgan State University
Coppin State University