Suited to Succeed
$15,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
Toward operating costs of a program providing professional clothing to women in transition from unemployment or welfare-to-work. The program provides appropriate interview and workplace attire to 1,400 unemployed women seeking work. In exchange for selecting two outfits, the women are asked to donate one hour of time to help sort clothing. After their first interview, they may return to select two more professional outfits in exchange for a second donated hour. Once they obtain a job, they may return to select a fifth outfit in exchange for a third hour of volunteer time.
Seedco (Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation)
$75,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
For continued support of EarnBenefits Baltimore, a Web-based tool that helps individuals and families apply for 26 different federal, state, and city benefits, including Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan, Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Maryland Energy Assistance Program, and the federal Food Stamp Program. The program is designed to streamline eligibility screening application submission, and tracking of submitted applications. Seedco will work with five community-based partners to assist 1,540 individuals in receiving at least one benefit and 385 individuals in receiving multiple benefits.
St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, Inc.
$80,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Learn to Earn Program, a job readiness training program at the St. Ambrose Outreach Center. The program offers adult education, job-training, and placement services. Job training includes coursework in child care, medical terminology, certified nursing assistance, clerical, computer skills, and computer terminology.
Rose Street Community Center
$300,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
For continued support of rehabilitation services for ex-offenders, adults recovering from substance abuse, and at-risk youth. The center provides transitional housing and case management to as many as 30 men per week, linking them to employment opportunities, providing stipends for living expenses, and referring them to drug treatment and job training programs. An average of 35 at-risk youth and young adults participate in daily peer mediation activities designed to reduce gang-related shootings and homicides.
Paul’s Place, Inc.
$50,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
For support of the Hot Lunch and Ambassador programs for residents of Washington Village/Pigtown. Paul’s Place serves an average of 265 meals per day and more than 65 percent of the hot lunch guests use other supportive services or obtain referrals to other organizations. Approximately 30 guests participate in the Ambassador Community Volunteer Program, a pre-job readiness training program. For every hour worked, a participant earns points toward an incentive payment that can be applied to groceries, rent, or utility bills.