SHAPING FUTURES IN CLAY: THE IMPACT OF CLAYWORKS AND THE GREATER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Clayworks’ support of the Greater Enrichment Program is quietly transforming the lives of hundreds of children through creativity, community, and compassion. Charlotte’s Greater Enrichment Program (GEP) is a nonprofit organization, supported primarily through a grant from the City of Charlotte’s Neighborhood and Business Services, that is dedicated to supporting at-risk elementary-aged children through high-quality after-school and summer enrichment programs. The partnership of Clayworks and GEP exemplifies how art and education can intersect to empower under-resourced youth and foster lifelong growth.
Founded in 1975, GEP has served over 10,000 elementary-aged children from Title 1 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), offering academic, cultural, and social instruction in a safe and nurturing environment.
Under the leadership of Bronica Glover, who has been with the organization for 25 years and served as executive director for the past decade, GEP has evolved to meet the changing needs of its community. Today, it operates in five CMS schools serving 300 students through year-round programming that includes after-school sessions and a six-week summer camp.
Clayworks has become a cornerstone of GEP’s enrichment offerings. Through a no- cost partnership model, Clayworks provides hands-on clay clubs to GEP students who might otherwise lack access to such creative experiences.
These clubs operate in six-week rotations, targeting specific grade levels with one-hour sessions where students create multiple clay projects. The works are fired and returned to the students, giving them a tangible sense of accomplishment. The impact is profound. As Bronica Glover shared, students from under-resourced backgrounds deeply value the opportunity to work with clay. It fosters creativity, builds confidence, and introduces these young students to new modes of expression. Each Clayworks session is staffed by two teachers, ensuring personalized instruction and engagement. The patience and adaptability of Clayworks instructors is consistently praised by GEP leadership.
The sustainability of Clayworks model hinges on our commitment to accessibility. By offering programming at no cost, Clayworks removes financial barriers that would otherwise exclude many students. As Bronica Glover emphasized, even a modest fee could prevent participation for families facing economic hardship.
The partnership between Clayworks and GEP is not just functional—it’s foundational. Clayworks proactively coordinates programming with GEP each year, and their collaboration is considered a staple of GEP’s enrichment model.
Together, Clayworks and GEP are shaping more than clay—they’re shaping lives. Through art, education, and community service, they offer children not just enrichment, but empowerment. Their work stands as a testament to what is possible when creativity meets compassion, and when partnerships are built on purpose.
