WASHINGTON, DC — Partners for Livable Communities, a national civic organization, honored Experience Corps Baltimore with the Bridge Builders Award at a 10th anniversary celebration in Washington, DC, recently. The award recognizes exemplary individuals and organizations who build bridges of understanding across divides–social, economic, regional and racial–to improve their communities.

This year´s awardees include Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and California Speaker of the House Fabian Nunez for collaborating across party lines; Christine Todd Whitman and Parris Glendening for co–creating the Governors´ Institute on Community Design across partisan lines; and a Texas oil company and environmental advocates that worked together to spearhead a new model for environmental responsibility.

In Baltimore, Partners for Livable Communities honored the Greater Homewood Community Corporation and Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health for their decade–long effort to build Experience Corps from an idea into a thriving organization of 400 adults working as classroom assistants in 20 city schools.

In describing the work of the two groups, Partners President Bob McNulty said, "This creative partnership does not involve the most ´natural´ of partners, with a local community group collaborating with researchers from one of the world´s most renowned universities. But Baltimore´s ´town–gown´ alliance has provided a new model for how committed groups can come together to improve the quality of life for all citizens, both young and old."

Experience Corps Baltimore has achieved "gold standard" status, McNulty added, by demonstrating evidence of success. Hopkins research shows that Experience Corps improves student achievement, reduces school suspensions, and improves the health of the Corps members themselves.

"Experience Corps is in high demand because of its impact on student achievement," said Sylvia McGill, director of Experience Corps Baltimore, which is hosted by Greater Homewood. "It´s also great for our members. Research shows higher test scores for students and improved health and self–esteem for older adults."

"Experience Corps inspires these kinds of collaborations because the program can both engage, and benefit, so many different aspects of the community," aid Michelle Hynes, director of Experience Corps. "We´re so proud of our partners in Baltimore, who have led the way for other cities to join them in creating new ways of working together." For more information on the Bridge Builders Awards program, visit http://www.livable.com/bridge_builders/index.htm.