New Life Food Pantry, Inc.
New Life Food Pantry distributes up to 100,000 pounds of food during single day community markets. Grant funds will support costs associated with a pilot camera project.
Maryland Access to Justice Commission, Fiscally Sponsored by Maryland Bar Foundation
The COVID-19 pandemic has broadsided the economy and led to the filing of an unprecedented volume of civil legal actions, such as missed rent payments; disputes over medical and consumer debt; the need for protective orders; applications for unemployment insurance; drafting of wills or dealing with probate. Under this grant, the Task Force will identify, research and discuss opportunities to improve the civil legal aid delivery system, including addressing inequities in the judicial system, creating a better system of resources and warm referrals; building a triage system to provide targeted help; and engaging more pro-bono and reduced fee assistance for civil legal problems, culminating in a final report of recommendations to be completed by December 2020.
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake
Habitat Chesapeake has a 38 year track record of assisting lower-income families, primarily headed by middle-aged African-American women, in becoming first-time homeowners in historically disinvested neighborhoods. Interest in homeownership through Habitat is high. In FY2020, Habitat received more than 800 pre-qualification questionnaires. Grant funds will support costs associated with the rehabilitation and construction of 10 homes in three neighborhoods that have benefitted from significant investment by Habitat over the years: Pigtown, Woodbourne-McCabe, and Pen Lucy.
City Life Community Builders
City Life Community builders is renovating and selling 53 market rate houses just south of the Henderson Hopkins School. Grant funds will be used to support down payment and closing cost assistance for police officers and others working in security staffing in the neighborhoods surrounding their Henderson Crossing redevelopment project.
Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition, Fiscally Sponsored by Digital Harbor Foundation
The Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition (BDEC) was formed in March 2020 to help provide digital access for those without in Baltimore in the wake of COVID-19 shutdowns and closures. To date, this volunteer-led effort has focused its efforts in four areas: (1) access to devices; (2) greater Internet connectivity; (3) digital skills training and support; and (4) advocacy. While volunteers continue to be engaged and committed to the Coalition’s goals and priorities, the Coalition’s work demands are steadily growing and requires dedicated staff time. Grant funds will be used to support costs associated with the hiring of a full time staff position to expand the capacity and elevate the work of the coalition.