Past Grants

Year Up Washington, Inc.

Toward continued support and expansion of the Year Up Baltimore program, a workforce development initiative for up to 64 at-risk young adults ages 18 to 24 in Baltimore City. Year Up provides one year of information technology training. During the first six months of the program, participants are paid weekly stipends and attend classes. For the next six months, students are placed in paid internships and are then assisted in finding professional level jobs.

Housing Authority of Baltimore City

To provide the Vehicles for Change program with cars and driver’s education for 50 families participating in the Housing Authority’s Special Mobility Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Job Opportunities Task Force

Toward continued support of the JumpStart Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program for 70 Baltimore City residents. The 13-week program has been designed to provide low-income city residents with training in handling tools, construction math, and safety, as well as an introduction to the carpentry, electrical, and plumbing trades. Approximately 70 percent of program graduates are placed into employment, with 25 percent enrolled in apprenticeships.

Art with a Heart

For support and expansion of the 2011 Summer Job Program, a visual arts program for 50 at-risk youth from the Rose Street Community Center, Paul’s Place, and the Raynor Brown Elementary/ Middle School. Students receive a stipend of $10 a day to create more than 200 marketable pieces of art during the four-week program, and work in the HeARTSware store, for a minimum of four hours, selling their artwork as a job-readiness experience.

Job Opportunities Task Force

For continued support of the Baltimore CASH Campaign, an initiative designed to increase the use of the Earned Income Tax Credit. The campaign plans to serve 9,000 residents while operating 15 to 17 free tax preparation sites. Plans call for strengthening and expanding its financial education program to help clients save more of the money they earn; enrolling tax filers into public benefits programs through EarnBenefits; and building assets of low-wage tax payers through savings accounts and the purchase of savings bonds.