Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
$74,799 / 2018 / Health and Human Services
The SPARC Center is a drop-in center designed to meet the needs of female sex workers and other vulnerable women in Baltimore City. Part of a federally-funded study that aims to reduce HIV rates by addressing drug- and sex-related risk behaviors, the center provides a range of health and social services to address the many challenges and barriers to service faced by female sex workers. This grant provides funding to hire a case manager so that the center can better meet clients’ mental health and social service needs.
Manna House, Inc.
$150,000 / 2018 / Health and Human Services
Manna House has provided meals and supportive services to the homeless and poor of Baltimore City since 1966. This grant supported renovations to their existing facility at 435 East 25th Street and two adjacent newly purchased buildings in the Harwood and Barclay neighborhoods. The project includes expanding the dining area to allow for a seating capacity of 60 clients, a build-out of new case management offices and toilet/shower facilities, and repairs to the basement.
Maryland Center for Adult Training, Inc.
$40,000 / 2018 / Workforce Development
The Maryland Center for Adult Training (MCAT) provides market-specific, technology-based, vocational training for the economically disadvantaged Baltimore City residents. Last year, MCAT enrolled 87 Certified Nursing Assistant/Geriatric Nursing Assistant (CNA/GNA) students. Of the 87 students enrolled, 74 students (or 85 percent) completed their certification training, with a grade average of 85 percent or higher. Of those graduates, 66 students (or 89 percent) became employed, earning an average annual salary of $23,207. MCAT also offered a Patient Care Technician training program, enrolling eight students. All eight successfully completed the training course, became nationally certified and are now employed, earning an average salary of $30,680. In the coming year, MCAT plans to train 45 students as CNAs/GNAs 15 students as Patient Care Technicians.
Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, Inc.
$45,000 / 2018 / Community Development
Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition provides research on economic rights and consumer protection issues; educates policymakers and the public about economic rights issues, and provides consumer awareness and education campaigns to individuals and organizations. MCRC serves low-income homeowners and renters through the Low Income Forgotten Tax (LIFT) program that helps them access the Homeowners and Renters Tax Credit programs and public benefits. This grant provided support staff and outreach expenses for the LIFT program.
Maryland Dental Action Coalition, Inc.
$45,000 / 2018 / Health and Human Services
The Maryland Dental Action Coalition (MDAC) is a statewide dental access advocacy group. In 2018, MDAC and other groups successfully advocated for the creation of a pilot project to provide comprehensive dental benefits to Maryland adutls who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. MDAC is launching a collaborative of professionals from the dental, health and social services sectors to provide support and guidance to the Maryland Department of Health as it implements the Medicaid adult dental pilot project. This grant supports the collaborative.
