Kathy Darby Community Outreach Fund
The Kathy Darby Community Outreach Fund (The Darby Fund) was established by Glen Echo Pottery in February 2016 as a living memorial to long-time instructor, volunteer, and Board member Kathy Darby. The Fund pursues two of Kathy’s great passions—her love of pottery and her desire to share that love through teaching youth and adults. The goal of the Darby Fund is to introduce people of all ages with limited access to the arts, to the world of pottery. There is a special emphasis on providing opportunities for youth. This is achieved through programs in which Glen Echo Pottery volunteers visit sites in the community, as well as conducting classes at Glen Echo Park. In addition, funding is provided for teens who show talent and enthusiasm for pottery but may not be able to afford tuition.
Our current community partners and activities include:
- Glen Haven Elementary School is a Title 1 school in Silver Spring with a diverse population. The Darby Fund provides a five session after school pottery program for third through fifth graders annually.
- A Wider Circle, the Silver Spring-based non-profit, provides wide ranging services at the Highland Dwellings community center in Southeast DC. In partnership with A Wider Circle, the Darby Fund offers two workshops at the community center yearly, one targeting children during the summer months and the other for all ages during the school year.
- Horizons of Greater Washington works with low income students to support them academically year-round and provide summer enrichment programs. Through the Horizons Program, children attend Glen Echo Park where the Darby Fund conducts a six-session pottery workshop for middle school students each summer.
- Two tuition-free scholarships are offered to qualifying students to attend ongoing teen pottery classes at Glen Echo Park. Scholarships are offered to students who attend our summer Horizons Program pottery workshop as well as other young people who express an interest in pottery.
The Darby Fund is supported financially through donations from individuals. If you would like to contribute, click HERE.