Waterkeepers Chesapeake
Guided by the view that judicial remedies due to environmental harms should be the same for everyone, regardless of income, race, or ethnicity, Waterkeepers Chesapeake, in partnership with Chesapeake Legal Alliance and Center for Progressive Reform, plans to research, draft and release a joint report on the legal hurdles to communities and individuals attempting to sue on pollution matters in Maryland. The report will document the challenges in meeting the standing requirements for suits on environmental matters in Maryland state courts despite broad rights intended by federal environmental legislation. The report will provide a series of policy recommendations that the three organizations will elevate with media coverage, outreach to community groups, and education of elected officials in the Maryland General Assembly.
UMBC Foundation
The UMBC Reach Together Program (RTP) provides high-dosage tutoring for 350 students across four schools in south Baltimore (Arundel, Cherry Hill, Lakeland, and Westport) during the 2021-2022 school year. Alongside the intensive tutoring at these four schools, the UMBC math project will provide teacher level coaching to an additional six schools.
STEM Champions of Baltimore Inc.
Over the past seven years, STEM Champions of Maryland has developed as a staging ground to prepare 375 students in 30 middle and high schools throughout the city for competition in numerous STEM based events as a part of the National Science Olympiad competition, the largest broad-based STEM competition in Baltimore. STEM Champions of Maryland trains teacher coaches to provide robust curricula and materials for each of the 18 Science Olympiad activities. STEM Champions also brings over 200 STEM professionals and volunteers together to work with teachers in afterschool practices and to facilitate the annual Citywide Science Olympiad competition.
The Samaritan Community
The Samaritan Community provides support to families and individuals who are in crisis, using an individualized approach that addresses the unique needs of each client. The vast majority of clients served are unemployed, and many have chronic illnesses, including mental health and substance use disorders. The center’s programs include a food pantry, emergency financial assistance, individual and group counseling, and referrals. This grant supports the Samaritan Community’s general operations.
Rose Street Community Center
Since February 2000, with support from the Abell Foundation, the Rose Street Community Center (Rose Street) has offered small weekly stipends to community residents in exchange for participation in daily community cleanups or gang mediation meetings. Last year, Rose Street served more than 120 people per week. Nearly 20% of those served each week (an average of 22 people) reside in Rose Street’s five transitional houses. Those residing in the houses participate daily in community cleanups. Once they have secured employment, Rose Street staff assists them in obtaining permanent housing. Roughly a third of those served each week (30 to 40 people) are in recovery or active addiction. They participate in a morning motivational meeting and receive a small stipend for bus transportation. Over half of those served each week (approximately 70 people) are high-risk youth ages 15 to 24. Rose Street holds morning meetings with the youth where the youth identify and de-escalate disputes. Rose Street also connects the youth to programs and services available in the community.