AOBA scholars participate in a successful academic and career preparation program with special emphasis on leadership and community service. They will have the opportunity to interact with professionals in the apartment and office building industry as well as college staff through summer internships, leadership seminars, mentoring programs, and academic and career counseling.

The Southern Management Scholarship for Study at American University
This scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to deserving business students from Prince George's County. All Prince George's County residents admitted to an undergraduate degree program at American University's Kogod School of Business are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Scholarships begin at $5,000 per academic year. Recipients are also eligible for paid internships at the Southern Management Corporation's headquarters in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

Rising Star Scholarship
Good for any accredited university, college, technical or vocational school, this scholarship is available to SMC residents and children of Southern Management team members, ages 17 - 24, for an amount up to $1,500. All young adults are encouraged to apply regardless of their career aspirations.

• Mentorship: Since 2000, Southern Management team members have had the opportunity to mentor students at public schools in the county where they work. Employees can mentor for a total of four hours per week while still earning their normal compensation.
  
  
• Spruce Up Our Schools: This program is designed to provide residents with a better atmosphere while they are attending school. Southern Management adopts several schools each year and works with its principal and the school district to make minor modifications for an overall facelift. These cosmetic changes range from painting and landscaping to appliance donations and wall murals.
  
  
• Summer Basketball League: During the summer months, Southern Management transports the youth of our communities to the Capitol Sports Complex to enhance their basketball skills. This mentorship experience continues to inspire young athletes to attain positive sportsmanship and winning strategies while competing for the championship at no cost
  
  
• Affirm Program: Southern Management connected with Pride Youth Services to provide adolescent females a 12-week mentorship experience. This program provided participants with strategies to avoid negative peer pressure (substance and gang-related activities), build sound decision-making skills, foster self-esteem, and understand the power of knowledge coupled with the importance of excelling in school.
  
  
• Junior Achievement: Southern Management joined Junior Achievement's initiative to bring the real world in the classroom by allowing its team members to teach students an economy driven curriculum for one hour in the public schools. During the five to 10 weeks period contingent upon the grade level, the student will gain information relative to the economics of life (i.e. foreign currency, balancing a checkbook, budgeting, etc).
  
  
• Life After High School: April 18, 2007, Southern Management Corporation sponsored the Life After High School workshop for the students of Potomac and Central High School. The workshops offered senior students workshops highlighting College Preparation, Interviewing Skills, and Resume Writing.
  
  
• Even Start Family Literacy Program: Southern Management partnered with the Prince George's County Public Schools Even Start Family Literacy Program in an effort to provide parents and their children the opportunity to build upon their comprehension of literacy and basic education. This program offers parental education and General Education Development (GED) training along with encouraging interactive parent and child relationships.
  
  
• Teacher's Appreciation Week: Since 2002 Southern Management has recognized the teachers throughout Prince George's County during Teacher's Appreciation Week with apple shaped souvenirs filled with treats, personalized chocolates, lanyards or messengers bags.
  
  
• Holiday 4 Kids: Southern Management celebrates the beginning of the holiday season with its residents through a festive party complete with dancing, singing, and gift giving. This program has been in existence since 1995 and continues to expand to include more Southern Management communities every year.
  
  
• Dictionary Initiative & Spelling Bee: Since 2004, Southern Management partnered with the Indian Head Highway area Action Council to deliver thousands of dictionaries to 3rd grade students throughout the County. Thereafter, Southern serves as a co-sponsor for the annual Spelling Bee held at the Best Western at Potomac View.
  
  
• School Supply Drive: Before going back to school, Southern Management provides student residents of several communities with new backpacks and grade appropriate school supplies.
  
  
• Almost Home: Formed through a partnership with several elementary and middle schools, the Almost Home program provides after school tutorial programs in several Southern Management communities. The Almost Home Center offers an alternative location for residents' children to do their homework after school where they can receive quality instruction and assistance as well as a nutritional snack.
  
  
• Dress Down 4 a Cause: This quarterly fundraiser gives Southern Management team members the opportunity to wear jeans, sneakers and khakis in exchange for a $5 donation that is donated to a worthy cause. Thousands of dollars are rasied annually throught this Southern initiative.
  
  
• Fair Housing Poster Contest: Started in 1999, Southern Management created this drawing contest in an effort to teach elementary, middle, and high school students about the importance of Fair Housing and how it relates to their community. It is Southern's belief that if children understand what Fair Housing means, then future residents will not have to experience housing discrimination. In 2000, Southern Management combined their Fair Housing efforts with the Human Relations Commission of Prince George's County. Each year, winners of the contest are announced during the Human Relations Commissions' Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. In 2007, Southern Management sponsored its own Fair Housing Poster Contest with the grand prize of a laptop computer.
  
  
• Dental Van: Southern Management has teamed up with Colgate Palmolive to provide dental screenings for children in elementary school. This program keeps parents abreast of any dental problems and, through the help of the local health department, assists families without dental insurance in addressing these needs.
  
  
• Head Start: This program was instated to provide three- and four-year olds with a "head start" before entering Kindergarten. Southern Management spent approximately $60,000 renovating a space to house the program that is provided free of charge.
  
  
• Darrell Green Youth Life Learning Center: In 2004, Southern Management partnered with Darrell Green to support and advocate for the academic enrichment of our youth through renovating space to house the Darrell Green Youth for Life center. This comprehensive after school and full summer program services are provided free of charge.
  
  
• Hoops 4 Kids: In 2005, Southern Management created its' own in-house basketball tournament that would give team members the opportunity of having a great time while helping to raise money for our scholarship program.
  
  2007 Hoops 4 Kids Sponsors include: MVP Jersey Sponsor: Derick Associates / Slam Dunk Food Sponsor: Dominion Towing / Championship Sponsor: Towing by TRP / Three Point Shot Referee Sponsor: Adilio's Carpet / Free Throw Venue Sponsor: Painter's Touch / T-Shirt Sponsor: Honor Pest Control / Half Court Shot Sponsor: Aspen Grove Thirst Quencher Sponsor: Reliable Painting / Courtside Trophy Sponsor: Habana Cleaning / Program Sponsor:
  LKA
  
  
• Prince George's County American Red Cross: For several years, Southern Management has supported the efforts of Prince George's County American Red Cross by helping to raise funds and donating $10,000 annually.
  
  
• Catholic Charities: A part of the Langley Park Outreach Center, these charities provide a variety of services to the public including English classes, counseling, free legal advice, clothing, career-related counseling, and more. Many Southern communities offer discounts to Catholic Charities participants.