Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, Inc.
$35,000 / 2020 / Health and Human Services
In 2019, Del. Lorig Charkoudian (District 20) introduced legislation in the Maryland General Assembly to limit hospital debt lawsuits for patients owing less than $5000, along with other medical debt lawsuit reforms. The bill did not pass in the abridged session, in part due to concerns that a prohibition may result in unintended consequences for Maryland’s cost-of-care model.
With this grant support, Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition will oversee an econometric research study by health economists at Boston University to calculate the likely effects of a cap on hospital lawsuits at different thresholds. The study’s findings will inform future legislation on medical debt lawsuits in Maryland.
Youth Empowered Society, Fiscally Sponsored by Maryland Philanthropy Network
$40,000 / 2020 / Health and Human Services
Opened in 2012, the YES Drop-In Center serves unaccompanied homeless youth ages 14 to 25, offering counseling, peer support, connections to resources and a safe place for the youth to meet their basic needs. YES staff and partner agencies provide employment counseling and job placement support; assistance accessing housing and public benefits; case management; tutoring; health care; pro bono legal services; and parenting support. In FY 2020, the YES Center served 201 youth. This grant supports the centers operations.
Youth Baltimore Uprise, Fiscally Sponsored by Bmore Empowered Inc.
$10,000 / 2020 / Education
Youth Baltimore Uprise (YBU) is a nonprofit, mentoring organization operating in West Baltimore. The program is targeted at building leadership, social awareness, and social emotional skills for thirty middle school aged youth who live in the Sandtown/Winchester neighborhood. The mentorship component of Youth Baltimore Uprise entails regular connections between the six founding members and the thirty students they support. Student participants will regularly have guest speakers addressing a range of topics. Each month, students participate in a field trip, providing an opportunity for hands on learning outside of the community.
Women’s Housing Coalition
$25,000 / 2020 / Criminal Justice and Addiction
Founded in 1979, the Women’s Housing Coalition (WHC) has been at the forefront in the development of housing options and services to low-income and homeless women. Support from the Abell Foundation will bring high speed internet access to its Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units. The majority of the funding will support the physical wiring of the buildings, and courses to help residents with finding employment and educational offerings such as GED courses.
Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, Inc.
$35,000 / 2020 / Community Development
Locally, outfitters, kayak clubs, and the Baltimore Department of Recreation & Parks have seen an increased demand for paddle sports. There are currently no clear instructions and limited guidance for safe paddling in the Baltimore Harbor. With infrastructure, information, and programming the Baltimore Harbor can become an accessible destination for paddlers. This grant provided support for costs associated with the creation of a Master Plan for water trails and paddle craft access points in the Baltimore Harbor.
