Past Grants

BioTechnical Institute of Maryland, Inc.

For continued support of the BioSTART and Laboratory Associates Programs. BioSTART, a 12-week bridge program, has been developed to introduce Baltimore residents to bioscience terminology, employment possibilities, laboratory procedures, and laboratory math. Upon successful completion, students move on to the Laboratory Associates Program that includes nine-week laboratory classes, followed by three-week internships. The internships qualify the applicants for entry-level laboratory positions with average starting wages of 12 per hour, plus benefits.

Seedco (Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation)

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.

CASA of Maryland, Inc.

For continued support of the Baltimore Worker Employment Center for day laborers and low-income workers. The formal hiring center, where day laborers can have a safe, organized way of finding work rather than waiting on a street corner, will enable more than 250 workers a month to find temporary jobs, 100 workers to find permanent positions, and more than 500 workers to obtain identification cards.

Suited to Succeed

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.

Center for Urban Families

Ninth-year support of STRIVE Baltimore, a job training and placement service for unemployed and underemployed men and women. STRIVE prepares participants for the workforce thorough a three-week intensive workshop focusing on job readiness. The STRIVE model emphasizes attitudinal training, job placement, one-on-one and group counseling, parenting skills, and case management.