Keeping you Informed
As MIMA continues to support the City’s COVID-19 response, we are providing monthly updates related to public services and resources for our communities.
In Support of Ukraine
Did you know Baltimore City has a Sister City in Ukraine? The Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee (BOSCC) was established in 1974 and is the City’s second oldest relationship.
Ukrainian immigrants began settling in Baltimore during the 1880s, especially in Highlandtown, Fells Point, and Patterson Park. During the early 1900s, many Ukrainian immigrants worked for steel- and glass-makers; what was previously the beating heart of the Baltimore economy. Many more fled to Baltimore both during the first and second world war and came through not only Ellis Island, but the Port of Baltimore as well.
In response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, BOSCC has been leading efforts to provide aid to residents of Odesa impacted by Russia’s invasion. For more information on how to support BOSCC, please visit the BOSCC website.
Updates from the MIMA Office
Welcoming our new Deputy Director
MIMA is excited to welcome a new member to our team!
In her role as MIMA’s Deputy Director, Masuma "Missy" Lonczak oversees language access program implementation and supports the development of the office’s strategic plan. She also supports in the coordination and implementation of initiatives including the New American Leadership Institute and the annual Immigration Summit.
Missy has previously served as a Program Administrator at Johns Hopkins University and worked with the Food Policy Team at the Baltimore City Department of Planning. In addition to double majoring in International Relations and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies at Goucher College, she holds a master’s degree in Public Administration, Management and a paralegal certification from Marist College. Born in Bangladesh, Missy grew up in Baltimore and is proficient in Bangla. Missy comes to the office with experience in program development and coordination and project management, as well as partnership- and relationship-building. Missy is passionate about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) work and is very excited to join the MIMA team to do the work that is close to her heart.
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Volunteer with MIMA
Got language skills? We're looking for volunteers to support our communities by helping to translate text from English to Arabic, French, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and other languages. Sign up through the MIMA Volunteer Application and contact us for questions.
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COVID-19 Updates
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The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) continues to encourage people to get vaccinated and get booster doses if eligible.
Second booster doses
A second booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna is now recommended for individuals 50 years and older AND individuals 12 years and older with moderate to severe immunocompromising conditions. The second booster dose should be given at least 4 months after the first booster for these specific groups. For more information, visit BCHD’s COVID-19 booster doses page.
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Updated Baltimore City COVID-19 Dashboard
BCHD’s new Baltimore City COVID-19 dashboard is now live, incorporating new data sources and metrics.
Getting vaccinated while pregnant or breastfeeding
Pregnant people have a higher risk of serious complications from COVID-19, so it’s extra important to be protected from the virus. Not only is getting vaccinated while breastfeeding safe, it also passes protection from COVID-19 to the baby through breastmilk. Check out this fact sheet for more information.
COVID-19 vaccine access rights videos from Disability Rights Maryland
Disability Rights Maryland has created videos in seven languages about the right to access COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 Vaccine Access (English)
COVID-19 Vaccine Access (Spanish)
COVID-19 Vaccine Access (Amharic)
COVID-19 Vaccine Access (French)
COVID-19 Vaccine Access (Korean)
COVID-19 Vaccine Access (Russian)
COVID-19 Vaccine Access (Mandarin)
For more information, visit the Disability Rights Maryland website or call them at 410-727-6352.
COVID-19 Vaccines
All Baltimore City residents age 5 and above are eligible for vaccination! To register for the vaccine, visit the Baltimore City Health Department's vaccination registration web page, available in English and 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. |
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Testing
City Services Updates
Due to COVID-19, some city services are changing. To view the current status of city services, visit the city's service status page.
National Happenings
On March 16, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. To qualify, individuals must have lived in the United States since March 15. TPS will offer individuals protection from deportation, but not a pathway to citizenship. Lawmakers and community groups have been advocating for the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would create a pathway to citizenship.
What’s New This Month?
Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund
Are you struggling to keep up with your mortgage payments or other housing costs due to COVID-19 related financial hardships? The Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund may be able to help with mortgage relief, weatherization, housing counseling, and legal services. To find more information, see eligibility requirements, and to apply, visit the Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund application portal. If you need help applying or navigating the application portal, call 833-676-0119, Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sat 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
April produce boxes
Looking for free fruits and veggies this month? See the April produce box distribution schedule (which can also be accessed on MIMA's Facebook page), available in English, Spanish, French, Korean, Chinese and Arabic.
YouthWorks summer jobs deadline has been extended!
Are you a Baltimore City young person aged 14-21 looking for a job this summer or a business interested in hosting a jobseeker? Apply today! Youth can apply at bit.ly/ywyouth by April 14, and employers can apply at bit.ly/yw-employers by April 15.
Community grant reviewers for Baltimore Nonprofit Relief Fund 2022
Do you want to give back to the Baltimore nonprofit community? Are you interested in learning more about the grant application review process? The Baltimore Civic Fund is seeking community grant reviewers for the 2022 Nonprofit Relief Fund.
All individuals who live or work in Baltimore City (18 years and older) with a strong commitment to our city may apply. No previous experience with nonprofit funding or grant review is required. Grant reviewers will commit to attending a one-hour grant reviewer training, reading and evaluating approximately 12 grant applications (approximately 30-45 minutes each) and participating in a 90-minute virtual review panel consensus meeting. In appreciation for their time and commitment, each reviewer will receive a $180 stipend.
For more information and to apply, visit the Community Review Board Interest Form. The deadline to apply is May 2, 2022.
Baltimore’s Promise Youth Grantmakers
Baltimore’s Promise is seeking young leaders to serve as Youth Grantmakers, who will co-develop and launch a citywide youth-led grantmaking structure for Baltimore City that puts young people at the center of decision-making. This is a paid, 18 month leadership commitment for 16-24 year olds who currently attend or previously attended a Baltimore City Public School. For more information and to apply, see the Baltimore’s Promise Youth Grantmakers flyer or the Baltimore’s Promise Youth Grantmakers web page.
Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) Programs
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Mobile Career Navigators bring resources and services from the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) to neighborhoods where access is often limited, connecting residents from underserved communities to employment and training services. See the Mobile Career Navigator iaflyer for more information. To invite a Mobile Career Navigator to your location or community event please complete and submit the Mobile Career Navigator request form.
- At MOED Community Job Hubs, Career Development Facilitators on site provide essential employment services to job seekers including cover letter writing, interview skills coaching, job placement assistance, resume preparation, online job search and application assistance, and support in overcoming barriers to employment. For more information about the Community Job Hub at Enoch Pratt Library Waverly Branch see the Enoch Pratt Library Waverly Branch Community Job Hub flyer or visit the MOED website for information on other Community Job Hubs.
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Train Up provides unemployed and underemployed Baltimore City residents with free job training and skills essential to Baltimore’s growing industries. For more information, visit the Train Up website.
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Hire Up allows participants to work up to 6 months with city agencies and nonprofit organizations and receive income, supportive services, and job placement assistance while you search for full time employment. Fore more information, see the Hire Up flyer, email the Hire Up program, or call 410-396-1910.
Digital Access and Technology Usage Survey
The Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition has developed a Digital Access and Technology Usage Survey to help them understand our communities' relationship with digital technology. Those who take the survey and are selected to participate in a focus group will receive a $50 gift card for their time. View the Digital Access and Technology Usage Survey flyer for more information.
Grant Opportunities
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Fund
The Baltimore Community Fund is working with the CDC and Michigan State University to award Baltimore community organizations and partners whose programs and/or projects seek to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Black and Latinx adults aged 18-34 in Baltimore City/County. For more information, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Fund page (information available in English and Spanish).
Small, Minority, and/or Woman-owned Business Wage Subsidy Grant
The Small, Minority, and/or Woman-owned Business Wage Subsidy Grant is a $18,000 grant to help small businesses in Baltimore City negatively affected by the pandemic hire employees. For more information and to apply, see the Small, Minority, and/or Woman-owned Business Wage Subsidy Grant flyer and the Small, Minority, and/or Woman-owned Business Wage Subsidy Grant application.
Baltimore Nonprofit Relief Fund
Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Baltimore Civic Fund are investing an additional $4 million for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations located in Baltimore City to address the financial impact of COVID-19. The third round of the Baltimore Nonprofit Relief Fund is now open and closes April 29, 2022 at 5 p.m. For more information and to apply, please visit the 2022 Baltimore Nonprofit Relief Fund website or RSVP for the Nonprofit Relief Fund information session on Tuesday, April 19 from 6-7 p.m.
Pre-K Grants from the Maryland State Department of Education
The Maryland Pre-K Grant Program aims to broaden availability and expand access to high-quality prekindergarten and school readiness services for three-year-old and four-year-old students from families with household incomes up to 300 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). The PreK Expansion Grant Program is aimed toward students with IEPs, homeless students, and children from homes in which English is not the primary spoken language are all eligible regardless of income. For details on who can apply and more, please see the attached Pre-K Grant PowerPoint presentation. If you have questions about the application or the process, please email the Prekindergarten Program Manager, Nykia Washington, or call 410-767-0088.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Día del Niño Celebration
Día del Niño returns in-person to Patterson Park on Saturday, April 30, 2022! The annual outdoor event, hosted by Friends of Patterson Park, celebrates the Latin American holiday honoring the contributions of children and youth to our communities. For more information, see the Día del Niño website or Día del Niño flyer.
Spring events with Baltimore City Recreation & Parks (BCRP)
Spring has sprung and Baltimore City Recreation & Parks (BCRP) is excited to get back outside. This Spring brings on opportunities for employment, to get outdoors and festival fun. Each event is part of the agency's commitment to offering a wide range of programs and experiences that improve quality of life. See this list of spring BCRP events (English) for more details.
Asia North 2022
Inaugurated in spring 2019, Asia North is a collaborative community celebration that recognizes, showcases, and honors the art, culture and the Asian heritage of Greater Baltimore, especially the Korean history of Baltimore’s Charles North community. Visit the Asia North website or view the Asia North 2022 flyer for details on the celebration’s events.
Resource Fair at Curtis Bay Elementary School
Join Bridging Maryland for a Resource Fair at Curtis Bay Elementary School on May 15, 12-4 pm. Interested vendors should email BridgingMaryland@gmail.com.
Employment Opportunities
[NEW] Tenant Services Coordinator, Bilingual – English/Spanish, Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC)
[NEW] Housing Education Coordinator, LEDC
[NEW] Bilingual Housing Counselor, Maryland, LEDC
[NEW] Bilingual Housing Counselor, Baltimore, LEDC
[NEW] YouthWorks Unit Supervisor - Bilingual Spanish/English, MOED
[NEW] Mobile Career Navigator - Bilingual Spanish/English, MOED
[NEW] Operations Coordinator, Strategic Initiatives, MOED
[NEW] Public Relations Officer, MOED
Therapist Case Manager (Bilingual- English/Spanish), Healthcare for the Homeless
Refugee Program ESL Specialist - Baltimore City Community College
Community Outreach Worker - University of Maryland, Baltimore, Community Engagement Center
Want the latest information and resources for immigrant communities on the City’s COVID-19 response?
Visit Baltimore City's COVID-19 information site
Follow MIMA on Facebook and Instagram!
To sign up to receive our monthly update via email or suggest announcements to include, please contact mima@baltimorecity.gov.
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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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