NOW ACCEPTING Nominations for Hispanic Heritage Awards!
Nominate an emerging leader, educator, service provider, or volunteer whose efforts deserve to be recognized through this simple online form. Nominations must be received by Wednesday, September 25.
Mayor Young Issues Executive Order to Support Immigrants
 On Wednesday, August 7, Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young was joined by community advocates as he announced a new Executive Order titled, “Advancing Public Safety and Access to City Services.” This Executive Order served to expand citywide antidiscrimination policies, stating that “No City Department, agency, officer or employee shall act with bias against any individual based on actual or perceived . . . citizenship or immigration status.” Additionally, no City official should ask about citizenship or immigration status unless required to do so by state or federal law.
During the press conference, Mayor Young also reaffirmed his commitment to keeping families together by continuing to provide legal representation to community members facing deportation hearings through the Safe City Baltimore initiative. “Immigrants who call Baltimore home should not live in fear of family separation for the simple fact that they cannot afford an attorney.”
This Executive Order and Safe City Baltimore are critical to ensure that Baltimore City remains a Welcoming City to all. The Executive Order also builds upon the recent Baltimore City Police policy that prohibits officers from cooperating with ICE on civil immigration matters. Mayor Young continues to demonstrate leadership on issues facing immigrants and commitment to welcoming policies and practices. Thanks, Mayor Young!
New American Leadership Institute Applications are NOW OPEN!
Are you an immigrant or refugee leader who would like to learn about the structure of local government, hone leadership skills, network with peers, and identify new opportunities for civic participation? Then apply today at mima.baltimorecity.gov/nali, or share the application with someone who you think would be a good candidate! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will close on Monday, September 23 at 5 PM.
MIMA en Español
Su Factura de Agua y ayuda disponible para pagar su cuenta
Snapshot of Our Community
Soccer Without Borders Baltimore Turns 10!
Soccer Without Borders (SWB) Baltimore celebrated its 10th anniversary in August. SWB provides afterschool and summer programs that support refugee, asylee, & immigrant youth on and off the soccer field. Off-the-field programming includes academic support (tutoring and mentoring), civic engagement, and college preparatory guidance.
The 10th anniversary celebration was hosted at Brown Advisory in Fells Point and featured food by the Mera Kitchen Collective and music by Conjunto Bruja.
MIMA wishes Soccer Without Borders a very happy 10th anniversary and looks forward to the next 10 years of partnership in serving our newcomer communities!
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Partner Spotlight
Water Billing is Back!
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The Department of Public Works was affected by the cyberattack in May 2019, meaning that City Residents did not receive water bills in May, June, or July. The Department of Public Works recently resumed issuing water bills in batches of 10,000 bills per day. Given that these bills cover several months and include a rate increase that was slated to begin in July, they are significantly higher than a typical monthly bill. As such, City residents can request a payment plan that will spread the bill out over several months by calling 410-396-5398, and residents can call or visit any of the City’s CAP centers to apply for water assistance programs.
MIMA & the Department of Public Works published a one pager with key information related to water bills, including a diagram to help residents understand their bill. These documents are currently available in 3 languages (Spanish, French, & English) on MIMA’s website and will soon be translated to Korean & Mandarin. Follow MIMA on Facebook & be the first to know when these additional translations are released.
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National Happenings
Public Charge Rule
On August 14, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security issued the final rule changing the definition of “public charge.” Although the rule is not in effect until October 15, 2019 (some jurisdictions have filed a lawsuit to block the new rule, and additional litigation is expected. Thus, legal challenges could delay the implementation), it is already impacting immigrants as many may decline services out of fear that they or a family member will suffer immigration consequences. If enacted, the rule will negatively impact low and moderate income individuals’ ability to be approved for a green card. Mayor Young objects to the new rule, stating, “The Department of Homeland Security’s public charge rule will force families to choose between the things they need and the people they love. We oppose this move.”
What can you do?
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Grant Opportunities
Baltimore Community Foundation - LGBTQ Fund: $5,000 - $25,000 grants will be considered for organizations submitting proposals for an organization-specific or collaborative project benefiting the LGBTQ community or raising awareness. Application info sessions will be held at the Baltimore Community Foundation, 2 East Read Street, 8th floor Levi Conference room on Sept. 4th at 2:00 pm and Sept. 9th at 9:30am. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to attend one of the sessions. Applications are due no later than September 27th.
Family League - Expanded Youth Program Request for Applications: Through this funding opportunity, $1.5 million will be invested in programs to improve outcomes for young people in their schools and their communities. These funds will support Out-of-School Time (OST) programs operating in community-based settings which are serving school-aged youth (grades K-12) and young adults up to age 24. The deadline to apply is September 16th at 4:00 pm.
GKV Foundation – How to Fund a New Arts Education Initiative: Grants between $15,000 and $50,000 will be offered to support individual development and related community impact through the use of a broad range of artistic media. Letters of Interest are due October 1.
The Kresge Foundation – Developing Supportive, Aligned Public Policy: The Foundation works with local, state and national partners across sectors to address structural barriers and advance policy solutions that move people out of poverty and toward intergenerational cycles of success. The deadline to submit a proposal is on September 30 at 11:59 p.m.
Calendar of Events
Malian Day 2019 by AMAB
September 2, 12PM – 8PM
Druid Hill Park, 3001 East Drive
Little Italy Madonnari Arts Festival
September 6, 10AM
Germano’s Piattini, 300 S High St.
Baltimore Ukrainian Festival - Saturday Shows
September 7, 12PM – 4PM
2401 Eastern Ave.
Friends of Asian Art: Adding Flowers to Brocade
September 12, 6:30PM – 7:30PM
Walters Museum, 600 N Charles St
Roots & Raíces Festival 2019
September 13-14, 6PM – 10PM
Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave.
Mexico Independence Day
September 14, 12:00PM – 9:00PM
Patterson Park, 2900 Eastern Ave.
Polish Fall Festival
September 15, 1:30PM – 2PM
Holy Rosary Church, 408 S Chester St
18th Annual Pigtown Festival
September 21, 12PM – 7PM
Pigtown Main Market 763 Washington Blvd
Charm City Night Market
September 21, 3:00PM – 11:00PM
200 Park Ave.
Mueveton 5K + Baby Fest
September 21, 9PM – 12PM
2806 Eastern Ave.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
September 23, 12PM – 1:30PM
Sacred Heart of Jesus, 600 S Conkling St.
Parade of Latino Nations & Community Cultural Event
September 29, 11AM – 6PM
Patterson Park, 2900 Eastern Ave
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Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
100 N. Holliday Street, Room 250
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-396-8056
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