Keeping You Informed
MIMA has been providing ongoing updates throughout the pandemic. Starting today, MIMA’s COVID-19 update will transition to a monthly basis. For the latest multilingual information regarding the city’s response, follow us on Facebook.
 Mayor Scott's statement on AAPI Heritage Month
“Every Baltimorean should take a moment this May to celebrate the cultural traditions, ancestry, languages, and unique experiences represented across Baltimore's ethnic groups from Asia and the Pacific Islands. As we recognize their achievements and contributions, we must also acknowledge the increased racism and xenophobia that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have faced as a result of COVID-19. According to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, hate crimes against Asian Americans surged 150 percent in 2020, with a majority of those hate crimes committed against women. My administration has no tolerance for racially motivated acts of discrimination and hate crimes. I remain committed to ensuring that City resources and services are accessible and inclusive of all Baltimoreans, regardless of race, ethnic background, immigrant status or language.
I call on Baltimoreans to continue to stand in solidarity with our Asian American and Pacific Islander neighbors against xenophobia, gender-based violence, and discrimination. Let's stand united against bigotry and #StopAsianHate.”
Baltimore Sister Cities presents Our Home Too: Forum in Support of Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM), a time when we recognize the history and achievements of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Unfortunately, this year’s celebrations are marred by increasing rates of targeted violence against AAPI individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions are rooted in our Nation’s history of exclusion, discrimination, racism, and xenophobia. Please join Baltimore Sister Cities and MIMA in solidarity, community, and celebration as we honor the invaluable contributions of AAPI communities in Baltimore on May 27, 7:00 to 8:30 PM EDT. During this panel discussion we will explore what AAPI heritage means to all of us. How have AAPI communities contributed to Baltimore and American history? What are AAPI communities currently doing to contribute to culture, the arts, activism and public service in our region? What new directions are they calling for? Register for and find more info about this webinar here.
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Asia North 2021
Asia North is a collaborative community celebration that recognizes, showcases, and honors the art, culture, and Asian heritage of Greater Baltimore, especially the Korean history of Baltimore’s Charles North community. Join for a series of virtual events and exhibits!
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COVID-19 Updates
MIMA has been working in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department, CASA, Esperanza Center, and International Rescue Committee (IRC) to facilitate call centers for speakers of languages other than English, canvass high-risk neighborhoods, and facilitate vaccination for our most vulnerable immigrant communities.
Check out the graphic below, which will be released in multiple languages on MIMA's Facebook page soon!
 COVID-19 Vaccines
Vaccine clinics with openings for any Baltimore City resident 18 years+ THIS WEEK:
All Baltimore City residents age 16 and up can pre-register for a vaccine appointment! To register for the vaccine, visit covax.baltimorecity.gov, available in English & Spanish. If you are unable to register through that website, you can also call to make an appointment! Spanish speakers can call and/or leave a voicemail with the Esperanza Center (667-600-2314) to sign up for a vaccine appointment. If you leave a voicemail, you will get a call back within 24-48 hours. Speakers of all other languages can text or call the International Rescue Committee (571-412-1202).
All Marylanders age 16 and up can register for a vaccine appointment with the State by visiting covidvax.maryland.gov or calling 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829) to allow them to contact you when vaccine appointments are available, including at the M&T Bank Stadium mass vaccination site.
Residents 60 years or older can call Maryland Access Point hotline at 410-396-2273 to sign up. Telephonic interpretation should be available. Visit Baltimore City’s COVID vaccine website for more information and updates. The state has created a tool to help you find vaccines as they become available via the state’s website.
Have questions about the vaccine? Check out Vaccine FAQs in English, Spanish, French, Korean and Arabic on our Facebook page. Recordings of COVID-19 vaccine information sessions in English and Spanish and a town hall for immigrant youth are on our Facebook page!
Testing
Check MIMA’s Facebook every Monday for the upcoming week’s testing schedule.
What’s New This Month?
Emergency Broadband Benefit $50 monthly discount on internet
The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible families and households who are struggling to stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households can also receive a discount of up to $100 for the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. A household is eligible if one of the members of the household has an income that is below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines, receives free-reduced school lunch, received a Federal Pell Grant last year, or participates in several other government assistance programs. For more info and to apply beginning May 12, please visit: getemergencybroadband.org.
May produce box distribution schedule is now available!
Visit our Facebook page to view the produce box distribution schedules in English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Korean.
P-EBT cards are back!
The Maryland Department of Human Services is restarting the P-EBT card program. Families with children in BCPS schools and/or who receive free-reduced lunch are eligible for a benefit of $375 per eligible student per month to purchase food. If you already have a P-EBT card, it will be reloaded. If you do not have a P-EBT card, contact your school to make sure that they have the correct address, and you will receive a card in the mail. Visit dhs.maryland.gov/p-ebt for more information.
Skilled Immigrant Task Force survey
Are you an immigrant looking for employment opportunities? Fill out this survey to share your experiences seeking and securing work. Your responses will help the Maryland Skilled Immigrant Task Force, of which MIMA is a member, identify and reduce challenges immigrants face in finding and getting jobs in Maryland.
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Baltimore City HeadStart, free preschool for low income families, is now enrolling children ages 3 to 4 for Fall 2021!
Looking for child care for your 3 to 4 year old child starting in the Fall? Check the income limits to see if you are eligible. Find more information here. Visit bit.ly/bc-head-start to register and find a daycare near you. Head Start is NOT a public charge.
Join MIMA for our Biweekly Update call!
MIMA has been inviting stakeholders and community partners to join a call every other Friday to share information that may benefit community members. Join us on May 21 at 11:30am via Microsoft Teams here or call-in:+1 667-228-6519, code: 192 572 409#.
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National Happenings
CASA, Mayor Scott and MIMA call for national immigration reform
On April 26, MIMA joined CASA at City Hall on their Relay Across America to call on national leaders to incorporate a pathway to citizenship for immigrant essential workers, DACA, and TPS holders. CASA’s Relay Across America culminated in a rally on May 1 in Washington DC.
Biden Administration changes the public charge
The only public benefits that are considered in the public charge test are cash assistance programs that provide on-going payments (SSI, TANF, General Assistance) and long-term institutional care paid at government expense (by Medicaid). The following programs are not considered public charges: Medicaid and other health care (except for long-term institutional care), SNAP, Public Housing, COVID testing,treatment and vaccines, pandemic economic impact payments (stimulus checks), pandemic-related one-time financial assistance, EITC and child tax credits, WIC, CHIP, free or reduced school lunches, food banks, and shelters. The public charge rule only affects people who will apply for a family-based green card. Get the facts, information is power! Get a free benefits screening at www.keepyourbenefits.org to see if the rule changes affect you. Find more information, including graphics in other languages, from Protecting Immigrant Families.
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Employment Opportunities
Energy Program Technician 2, Mayor's Office of Children and Family Success
Maryland Refugee Organizer (Part-time, Remote, Maryland based), Church World Service
Language Specialist, International Rescue Committee
Outreach Programming Assistant (Bilingual Spanish/English preferred), Enoch Pratt Free Library
Therapist Case Manager (Bilingual- English/Spanish), Healthcare for the Homeless
Pediatric Registered Nurse (Bilingual- English/Spanish), Healthcare for the Homeless
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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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