Working To Enhance The Quality Of Life
In Baltimore And In Maryland.
Clergy United for the Transformation of Sandtown (CUTS) works across faith-based entities to improve the conditions in Sandtown-Winchester. Areas of programmatic focus include: housing, education, job training, youth programs and economic development. This grant supports CUTS’ efforts to secure professionalized staff whose work will focus on developing a sustainable revenue model that is centered around advancing programmatic priorities.
The Center for Urban Families (CFUF) is working with Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) to provide STRIVE graduates with better access to non-credit occupational skills training at BCCC. With funding from the Abell Foundation and the Kresge Foundation, CFUF and BCCC will launch BOOST, an initiative where STRIVE graduates will receive intensive case management as they complete noncredit certification programs in healthcare, transportation, IT, construction and human services at BCCC.
The Baltimore Welcome Center provides employment placement services for day laborers and low-income workers who begin to assemble early in the morning in the hope of being selected for jobs in construction, landscaping, home improvement, sanitation, and other day-to-day, physical labor-intensive jobs.
Byte Back is a Washington, DC nonprofit organization that trains low-income adults with no computer experience in learning the basic fundamental skills of how to turn on a computer, use a mouse and use Microsoft Office applications. Byte Back then works step by step with students to build upon those skills, preparing students to earn industry-recognized IT credentials. Byte Back has expanded to Baltimore, and with support from the Abell Foundation, plans to serve at least 100 Baltimore residents over the next year, placing 36 program graduates into jobs requiring IT skills. Byte Back pla
Over the past year, 49 individuals enrolled into BioSTART, with 43 students (or 88%) completing the six-week program. All 43 students enrolled in the nine-week Lab Associates program. Of these students, 14 completed training, and 20 are completing their internships. BTI estimates that 70% of the graduates will be placed into research laboratory and manufacturing technician positions at an average wage of at least $14.75/hour. In the coming year, BTI plans to train 45 Baltimore residents, maintaining high job placement and retention rates of all graduates.
Banner Neighborhoods provides low-income senior and disabled homeowners with home repairs, handicap modifications and tasks that involve climbing ladders or require heavy lifting. Relieving homeowners of the cost and difficulty of completing home repairs and maintenance enables them to age in place and retain their community ties and social networks.
In its sixth year, the Baltimore City Robotics League will continue to expand the STEM pipeline by sponsoring at least 90 FIRST Lego, Jr. FIRST Lego, VEX IQ, and VEX extracurricular robotics teams for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Directed by a City Schools Robotics Coordinator, The League provides intensive training/equipment for coaches; sponsors and provides fees for local, state and national robotics tournaments; and will launch a summer camp for the first time in 2020. The League expects to send 8 City teams to the World VEX Competition and the US Open Championships.
Sponsored by the Abell Foundation and Baltimore City Public Schools since 2004, Baltimore Kids Chess offers an academic extracurricular program that serves more than 750 children from kindergarten to 12th grade in 40 schools. Teams practice weekly under the auspices of trained chess coaches and compete in novice, local, state and national chess tournaments sponsored by the United States Chess Federation. Baltimore City chess players have gained acclaim for City Schools as a powerhouse; three Kids Chess League teams are expected to advance to the 2020 USCF Nationals.
Baltimore Green Space (BGS) is Baltimore’s environmental land trust. It promotes vibrant neighborhoods and a healthy environment through land preservation, research, and community advocacy. This grant provides support for BGS staff efforts to coordinate forest care education to at least 300 Baltimore City residents through workshops and continue to study the value of forest patches for storm water management, heat island effects, wildlife, and climate resilience.
In spring 2020, the Maryland Legislature will tackle the aggressive “Blueprint” educational policy and school funding formula recommendations from The Kirwan Commission. This session promises to be a once in a generation opportunity to reapply an equitable statewide educational funding formula, particularly for those children living in concentrated poverty.
