Past Grants

Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS)/ Academy for College and Career Exploration

To launch a Saturday Academy, an intensive weekly six-hour academic intervention during the school year to support struggling seniors. The goal of the effort is to realize a graduation rate of 90 percent of 12th graders for 2009, the first class that must pass the Maryland High School Assessments in order to graduate.

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

To provide funding in support of scholarships for placement of up to eight incoming ninth-grade students in Baltimore City foster group homes. Cristo Rey Jesuit High School functions in a small-school setting with about 110 students in each grade in partnership with corporations, and offers a rigorous curriculum, transportation, social service options for students and families, mentoring, and one-day-per-week paid internships.

Sinai Hospital of Baltimore

Toward support of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services’ Youth Achieving Potential program. The program offers career assessment, paid work experiences, and placement services for 80 high school seniors with special needs from four Baltimore City public schools. After being placed in jobs, participants receive six months of counseling to help ensure appropriate on-the-job performance.

Building STEPS, Inc.

For expansion of a science and technology college access program for an additional 20 underserved students in two to three Baltimore City public schools. Beginning in 11th grade, the program is designed to recruit students who have an interest in science, technology, and math, and who have average grades. During the course of the year, the students will be exposed to science and technology-based professionals through monthly off-campus seminar series. The seminars will be followed by placements in summer internships with companies focusing on science and technology. Throughout the 12th grade, STEPS will assist in the college application process and free SAT tutoring. After the students matriculate in college, the STEPS staff will maintain contact with them and encourage graduation, to ensure employment in promising science, technology, engineering, and math fields.

Lion Heart Project, Inc.

For the implementation of the Lion Heart Program, a mentoring program for 60 at-risk males at Harford Heights Middle School. After identifying at-risk students, the program provides information, resources, and support to help ensure good citizenship and on-time high school graduation.