Empire Homes of Maryland
$150,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
Capital funding toward the completion of Restoration Gardens, a 43-unit permanent supportive rental housing development in the lower Park Heights community, to serve homeless, at-risk young adults, ages 18 to 24. These affordable units will be subsidized by Section 8 vouchers. Referrals to supportive services, such as job training and placement, substance abuse treatment and mental health services will be provided to enable the residents to gain the stability and skills needed to live independently.
The Downtown Sailing Center
$30,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
For support of the center’s outreach programs, which include an Accessible Sailing Program for persons with physical disabilities, as well as sailing instruction programs for children from disadvantaged communities. The program utilizes volunteers to help maintain optimum instructor-to-sailor ratios, and teaches safety, self-confidence, communication, leadership skills, and teamwork.
Catholic Charities/The Samaritan Center
$100,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
Two grants for continued support of eviction prevention and traveler’s aide programs administered by The Samaritan Center. The center provides direct financial assistance to homeless and low-income individuals in Baltimore City, helping them avoid eviction and utility termination, and providing transportation vouchers to those stranded in Baltimore without lodging. Clients are referred to other counseling services to obtain income support, such as food stamps, Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credits, and referrals to job training and placement.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County
$50,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
Toward the implementation of Project Learn, an after-school mentoring program for 300 at-risk youth in the O’Donnell Heights and Brooklyn/Curtis Bay communities. Project Learn activities include Power Hour—the first hour of the afternoon activities set aside for children to complete homework, receive tutoring, and work on computers, as well as art activities, health education, and recreational activities. In addition, the program emphasizes parent involvement in club activities.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Maryland, Inc .
$100,000 / 2008 / Health and Human Services
For continued support and expansion of the Amachi mentoring program for 650 children of incarcerated parents. The program is designed to match the children with caring and responsible adult mentors while, at the same time, providing case-management support for families, guardians, and volunteers. The program will continue to collect data on outcomes, including school performance, substance use, delinquent behavior, relationships with peers and adults, and degree of achieved self-confidence.