Legal Aid Bureau, Inc.
$75,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Child Support/Barriers to Employment Project, an initiative to address the financial needs of noncustodial parents with child support obligations. The project will provide individual representation to at least 200 noncustodial parents and work with the Child Support Enforcement Administration to identify and implement changes in polices and practices so that case managers act in the best interests of the children.
Maryland Center for Arts and Technology, Inc. (MCAT)
$75,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
For continued support and expansion of job training programs for unemployed and underemployed youth and adults in Baltimore City. The center has developed customized health care and customer service training programs that consist of classroom training, employer-specific training, and paid internships. MCAT plans to recruit and train at least 160 individuals for positions in health care and other industries, and to maintain high placement and retention rates for all graduates.
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service
$50,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Baltimore CASH Campaign, an initiative to increase the use of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and free tax preparation services. Its goal is to complete at least 7,000 tax refunds for low-income taxpayers who are eligible to receive the EITC refunds. The campaign will focus on promoting asset development strategies, including the directing of refunds to individual bank accounts and savings for homeownership and post-secondary education tuition.
The Men’s Center, Inc.
$5,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
For the purchase of a vehicle, insurance coverage, and related expenses for the Fresh Food Recovery Program. The vehicle is to be used to collect day-old food from farmers’ markets and redistribute the food to area soup kitchens and other community-based organizations serving approximately 2,000 people each week.
The Men’s Center, Inc.
$5,000 / 2007 / Workforce Development
To hire a fund-raising consultant to assist with renovations for expansion of meeting space and the food distribution area.