A fierce advocate for children, Avis White Thomas founded the Village connection based on the legacy of the matriarchs in her family – her mother, Juanita White, and maternal grandmother, Emma Tillman Williams. The Village Connection’s (TVC) roots go back generations during which the foundation of giving back to the community was firmly established. Thus, TVC embraces a legacy of more than 60 years of sharing, giving, and community service. TVC is dedicated to education, public service, and cultural enrichment for youth. TVC’s mission is to enlighten, excite, and expose our youth to the benefits and rewards of Higher Education through:
a) Sharing information and experiences that influence academic ability and achievement.
b) Providing a safe, welcoming environment where youth can learn about, and appreciate, their history.
c) Sponsoring college tours that expose students to their higher education possibilities and potential.
Mission Statement
To provide a personalized and supportive tour experience that inspires our youth to realize that through higher education, they can impact the world as committed, informed, and effective leaders of tomorrow. We enlighten, excite, and expose our youth to the benefits and rewards of a college education through:
- Tours of College Campuses
- College Prep Summer Camps
- Mentors and Community Service activities
- ACT/SAT Workshops
- Essay Writing Workshops
- Financial Aid Workshops
Since 2006, TVC has
- Sponsored Heritage Programs
- Arranged Talent Shows
- Mentored Students on College Tours
- Participated in the People to People Student Ambassador Program
- Promoted World Travel and Cultural Enrichment
Annual Activities
- Saturday Spanish Classes
- Kwanzaa Celebration
- Annual Bag Lady One Day Retreat
- Cook-out for HBCU Tour Participants and Families
- Summer Camps and Fall Saturday Schools
- The Connected Village Newsletter
Avis White Thomas, founder of The Village Connection, firmly believes that with an inspired heart and a trained mind, our youth can go anywhere their imaginations lead!
1501(c) 3 Status Applied For
CyberWorld Educational Foundation, under the directorship of Jamil Hameed, has been sponsoring College Tours, World Travel for students for more than 15 years. Mr. Hameed has personally led more than 3,500 students on tours of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and been involved with the early enrollment of more than 500 students. Mr. Hameed has also led delegations of students to Europe, Russia, Africa, Japan, and the Middle-East. Mr. Hameed also serves as a Program Director for The Village Connection.
Mr. Hameed has been providing his services from the passion he holds within his heart. "Students learn tremendously from first hand exposure to the college experience and World travel to different cultures. We are talking about lessons that cannot be taught from a book, or expressed properly in a lesson-plan, or video, or audio context. These kids feel, live, and touch what teachers can only talk about, and this is what keeps me passionate about what we do!"
Vision of TVC and CWEF
The Village Connection and CyberWorld Educational Foundation share a vision that our youth reach their full potential as well educated, emerging entrepreneurs with a strong foundation of history, knowledge, skills and abilities.
- June 2008 Cook-out for all HBCU Tour Recipients and Parents details (TBA)
- College Prep Summer camps July 7-18 and 21- Aug 1(for details go to camps page)
- Fundraiser with the Washington Baseball & Softball Academy, details (TBA)
- HBCU Goes Ivy League College Tour in September 15-19
- Southern HBCU College Tour November 9-14
- Potomac H.S. Golf tournament/All Class Reunion, date Fall (TBA)
- Summer Camps, and Fall Saturday Schools, TBA.
- Begin Monthly email "TVC Connected Village Newsletter" date (TBA)
- Spring 2009 HBCU College Tours (Details TBA)
- April 5-10 HBCU Southwestern College Tour
- April 27-31 HBCU IVY-League College Tour
- June-July College Prep Summer Camps and College Tours (Details TBA)
- August 9 - 14 Student Ambassador Travel to Africa
HBCU TOUR GOES TO AFRICA Itinerary
(right click to download) - August End of year Banquet/Fundraiser (Details TBA)
Information Sessions
1) Saturday July 12, 2008 from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon at Matthews Memorial Church (MMBC), 2616 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Washington, DC 20020
2) Saturday August 16, 2008 (MMBC) 10:00 am from 12:00 noon at Matthews Memorial Church (MMBC), 2616 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Washington, DC 20020
3) Saturday September 27, 2008 at (Clinton/Surrats Library, 9400 Piscataway Road, Clinton, MD 20748 (Meeting Room) 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
4) Saturday October 18, 2008 from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon at Matthews Memorial Church (MMBC), 2616 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Washington, DC 20020
You may also contact Avis White Thomas at 202-657-1235 or Jamil Hameed at 216 849-9400 for additional information.
| A Village Connection Contact P.O. Box 1232 Temple Hills, Md. 20748-3615 Phone: 202-657-1235 Fax: 540-301-0520 Email: the_village1@msn.com |
CyberWorld Educational Foundation and Tour Director Jamil Hameed Phone: 216-849-9400 Fax: 301-464-3098 Email: macstires@hotmail.com |
|
| Program Coordinator Vincint Thomas Phone: 202-244-7735 Cell: 202-459-7073 Email: vincintthomas@aol.com |
Youth Advocate Armand Thomas Phone: 301-437-6411 Fax: 301-423-4847 Email: armtho@msn.com |
|