Keeping you Informed
As MIMA continues to support the city’s response to COVID-19, MIMA is providing monthly updates of information related to public services and resources available for our communities!
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.
The below image is available in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean and Arabic!
COVID-19 Vaccines
All Baltimore City residents ages 12+ are eligible for vaccination! To register for the vaccine, visit covax.baltimorecity.gov, available in English & Spanish. 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 leave a voicemail with the International Rescue Committee (571.412.1202).
Upcoming Vaccination Clinics
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Digital Harbor (1100 Covington Street)
Thursday July 22 from 10am-2pm
First dose Pfizer, second dose Moderna
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CASA (2706 Pulaski Highway)
July 15, July 29 from 4pm-8pm, Pfizer first dose
July 21 from 3pm-7pm, Moderna first and second dose
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John Ruhrah Elementary (701 Rappolla Street)
Thursdays July 15, July 22, & July 29 from 3:30-6pm
Pfizer first and second dose
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MegaMart (3400 Annapolis Road)
Saturdays July 10, July 17, July 24, & July 31 from 10am-12pm
Pfizer first and second dose
COVID-19 Testing
Check MIMA’s Facebook page every Monday for the upcoming week’s testing schedule.
Community Spotlight
Like many refugees, Mohammad arrived in Baltimore in 2016 with big hopes for his future. He worked with the International Rescue Committee to find his first job at a hotel where he honed his English skills and gained US work experience. Through IRC, Mohammad took a general apartment maintenance course at CCBC and started working at a hotel as an engineer. A year later, Mohammad tested and enrolled in a six month IRC-sponsored HVAC course with CCBC, along with four other clients. The classes gave him the skills to move into a role more aligned with his goals. He says, “The HVAC training is a good stepping stone to my goal. The classes were great – nice, smooth, and interesting. I learned a lot. Everything was so good.” With the help of his instructor, Mohammad quickly found a job at Baltimore Gas and Electric Corporation, where he now works as an HVAC technician. Mohammad says, “I would definitely recommend the training to other people and that’s because it is the number one fast growing field in the US and I have a good salary.” Still, Mohammad has big plans for the future. His eyes are still set on information technology, and he hopes to enroll in further coursework to enter the field.
Employers interested in hiring refugees can contact IRC’s economic empowerment team by emailing HireBmoreRefugees@Rescue.org
Refugees and asylees interested in career development services can fill out IRC’s appointment request form: bit.ly/IRCBaltimore
Upcoming MIMA Events
Eviction Prevention Program and housing Know Your Rights Facebook live series
Are you behind on your rent? Is your landlord threatening to evict you? Is your landlord discriminating against you? Is your landlord refusing to do repairs?
Join MIMA, CASA, Southeast CDC, Latino Economic Development Center, Public Justice Center, Baltimore Community Action Partnership (BCAP) Centers, and the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights to learn more about the Eviction Prevention Program and your housing rights! This series will take place on MIMA’s Facebook page.
- Spanish: July 27 at 12pm
- English: August 12 at 12pm
- French: August 19 at 12pm
Visit bmorechildren.com/residents for more information on the Eviction Prevention Program and to apply!
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Emergency Broadband Benefits information sessions in English, Spanish and French on MIMA's Facebook page!
Did you know the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program is open for applications? You may be eligible for a monthly $50 discount on your internet bill and $100 towards a device for your household. The program is open to low-income households, households who use certain assistance programs (food stamps, free school lunch, etc), and households who saw a decrease in income because of the pandemic. A social security number is not required. Households can qualify if one or more of their children receive benefits like food stamps, federal Pell grants for college, SSI, free school lunch. If you have a child in Baltimore City Public Schools, you qualify for this benefit! Visit getemergencybroadband.org to apply for the program! MIMA hosted information sessions with the FCC in English and Spanish, and will have one in French on Thursday, July 15th at 1pm on our Facebook page.
What’s Going On With Immigration Reform? Facebook live series
What has changed under the Biden Administration? How do immigrants protect themselves from fraud? How do you know if an immigration attorney or notario is trustworthy? Join MIMA, CASA, Esperanza Center, and University of Maryland Law School for an information session on what changes to the immigration system have been made in the past year, notario fraud, trusted service providers, and how to get involved in the fight for Congressional immigration reform. Sessions will be hosted on MIMA’s Facebook in English on July 29 at 12pm and Spanish on August 4 at 1pm.
What’s New This Month?
July Produce Box Distribution Schedules
Check out our Facebook page for July produce box distribution schedules in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean and Arabic.
Featherstone Mexico Scholarship
In collaboration with the Consular Section of the Embassy of Mexico in Washington D.C., the William & Lanaea C. Featherstone Foundation is thrilled to provide five special $2,000 Featherstone College Scholarships to students who are Mexican nationals or students of Mexican origin living in the United States. This initiative is part of the Featherstone Foundation’s $68,000 College Scholarship Fund that will award 30 scholarships this year. Students must be enrolled (or accepted) at one of the partner institutions: Coppin State University, Morgan State University, or The University of Baltimore to be eligible. The application deadline is July 16. Find more information and apply here.
Small grants to support vaccination outreach efforts
Are you a community organizer or community organization putting on COVID-19 vaccination and education efforts in Baltimore City? You may be eligible for a small grant from $500 to $10,000 from the Baltimore City Health Department and Civic Works to continue that work! Several geographic areas with low vaccination rates and populations experiencing barriers to vaccination (including Latinx community members, immigrants, older adults, and pregnant and lactating women) will be given priority for funding. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis until all available funds have been distributed. Apply now!
2021 Baltimore Nonprofit Relief Fund accepting applications!
The Baltimore Civic Fund is accepting applications for the 2021 Baltimore Nonprofit Relief Fund. Tax-exempt organizations in Baltimore City are eligible for awards of up to $50,000 to address either past costs or future projected needs related to COVID-19. The application will close at 11:59 p.m. on July 23, 2021. Organizations can also request technical assistance by completing this form, and someone will reach out to assist.
Certified Community Health Worker Training
Become a certified health worker by taking a course offered through the Baltimore City Community College and CASA! Health workers serve as a bridge between communities, healthcare systems, and health departments. Make a difference in your community and register today! Register here.
BPD Equity Plan
Baltimore Police Department recently released their Strategic Framework for Advancing Equity. The report is available in English and Spanish.
COVID Restrictions Update
Effective July 1, Baltimore City has rescinded its previous health orders related to face masking, and residents will no longer be required to wear face masks in public settings, indoors or outdoors.
Southeast CDC Family Stability program reopening
The Family Stability program provides intensive case management and emergency financial assistance to families who are behind on their housing bills (rent and/or utilities) and are at risk of eviction and/or utility turnoff. Families receive intensive case management services and financial assistance. Participants must be Baltimore City residents and have a child in one of the following schools: Highlandtown 215 EMS, Highlandtown 237 EMS, John Ruhrah EMS, Tench Tilghman EMS or William Paca ES. Families must be behind on their rent, BGE and/or water payments, and the program is open to speakers of any language (English, Spanish, etc.).
Are you interested? Call the Southeast CDC to enroll at (443) 416-9788.
National Happenings
$250-$300 per child per month federal Child Tax Credit
The federal government recently increased the amount of the Child Tax Credit and will be issuing payments to families monthly. Most families will receive $250-$300 per month per child. If you have children and filed tax returns for 2019 or 2020 OR signed up to receive an IRS stimulus check, you will get this tax credit automatically each month. If you didn't file taxes in 2019 or 2020 OR didn't sign up for stimulus checks last year, you can still get the tax credit. Apply here.
Working families with children ages 0-5 will receive $3,600 per child per year. Working families with children ages 6-17 will receive $3,000 per child per year. 2 parent families making up to $150,000 are eligible. Single-parent families making up to $112,500 are eligible. The tax credit is NOT considered a public charge, and ITIN tax filers are eligible. Monthly payments start July 15!
Employment Opportunities
Constituent Services Associate, Mayor’s Office of Family and Child Success
Social Services Advocate, Tahirih Justice Center
Director, Soccer without Borders Maryland
Sports-Based Youth Development Associate, Soccer Without Borders Maryland
Database Manager, Maryland Office of Refugees and Asylees
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
Therapist Case Manager (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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