Baltimore Under Ground Science Space
Baltimore Under Ground Science Space (BUGSS) is a nonprofit, community laboratory that brings together people from diverse backgrounds and approaches with the goal of advancing novel scientific, artistic and technological developments. This grant supports BUGSS’ partnership with the Open Insulin Foundation (OIF) in support of OIF’s mission to produce safe, affordable, high quality insulin for people living with diabetes. Grant funds will be used to purchase equipment and to support the salary of an OIF researcher who is conducting research focused on the production and purification of biosimilar insulin. This research will provide essential data that OIF will need to pursue approval of its biosimilar insulin from the Food and Drug Administration. If OIF secures FDA approval of its insulin, it will partner with a Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant laboratory in Baltimore City to produce affordable insulin on a large scale for insulin-dependent people with diabetes.
TurnAround, Inc.
TurnAround provides comprehensive, trauma-informed services to survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual abuse and assault, harassment, and human trafficking in Baltimore City and County. This grant supports TurnAround’s legal services program, which partners with Maryland Legal Aid and other legal service providers to provide legal advice and representation to TurnAround clients. Survivors of sexual assualt and domestic violence often have complex legal needs, and timely access to legal services, coupled with TurnAround’s case management support, increases the likelihood that survivors will obtain needed legal relief.
Soccer Without Borders Baltimore
Soccer Without Borders provides year-round soccer and academic support programs for refugee, asylum-seekers, and immigrant youth. Soccer Without Borders provides a safe and supportive environment for youth, as well as English language development, through its soccer teams. This grant supports the high school program, which serves up to 90 youth in Baltimore City.
Maryland Food Bank
The Maryland Food Bank (MFB) School Food Pantry Program operates food pantries in schools that serve large populations of families living in poverty. MFB has operated the program since 2005, providing easy access to supplemental food for families facing food insecurity. During the current school year, when most schools are closed, MFB has shifted to a “grab and go” food distribution model, where families can pick up bags of food at participating schools on a monthly basis. The program has also greatly increased the amount of food provided to families during the pandemic, distributing more than twice as much food during the first two quarters of FY 2021 compared to the same period in FY 2020. This grant supports MFB’s Baltimore City School Food Pantry Program.
Johns Hopkins University
Vision for Baltimore is an innovative, citywide partnership designed to improve vision screening and follow up care for Baltimore City public school students. The program provides expanded school-based vision screenings, eye exams and glasses, simplifying the process of obtaining vision care and increasing the likelihood that students who need glasses will get them. Partners in Vision for Baltimore include the Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore City Public School System, Johns Hopkins University, and Vision to Learn, a national nonprofit organization that operates mobile school vision treatment programs throughout the country. This grant supports Vision for Baltimore’s operations.