published by the Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods                                            Tuesday, March 20, 2012

"It is vital that Baltimore’s business community take an active role in employing our young citizens this summer," said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. "This is not a charitable effort—these young men and women are poised and ready to contribute to the offices, hospitals, financial institutions, and production facilities that fuel our local economy. When Baltimore’s citizens work, the city works, and it can grow into the place we all know it can be."

It costs $1,200 to employ a young person for the six-week duration of the program. Several thousand city residents have registered for the 2012 YouthWorks summer jobs program, which is scheduled to operate from June 25 to August 3.

Don Fry, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee and Chair of the Hire One Youth Leadership Team, echoed the Mayor’s remarks. "The Hire One Youth campaign gives businesses the unique opportunity to interview, select, and hire qualified young employees who have displayed an interest or aptitude in a particular field and have completed 12 hours of workforce preparation," said Mr. Fry. "Participating in Hire One Youth is a sound business decision that collectively benefits the city and the Baltimore business community as much as it benefits these young workers individually."

Hire One Youth initiatives are designed to link the young employees to businesses and organizations in Baltimore’s high-growth industries, such as hospitality and tourism, health care, and finance. YouthWorks employees will work a minimum of six weeks at 25 hours per week and be paid the minimum wage. Companies also may extend the number of hours and the pay scale beyond these basic requirements. Each year, several YouthWorks employers decide to continue to employ the young people on a part-time basis once the school year begins.

Local employers who wish to join the Hire One Youth campaign and commit to hiring at least one youth this summer can complete the online form or contact YouthWorks, operated by the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, at 410-396-JOBS (5627) or hireoneyouth@oedworks.com.

This week Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was joined by community, religious and city leaders to kick off Youth Violence Prevention Week, and urged Baltimore residents to help "Build Peace Block By Block." Youth Violence Prevention Week—held March 19-25, 2012—is a national public education initiative featuring activities and events to spotlight the issue of youth violence, identify strategies to combat this epidemic, and promote the positive role youth may have in making their communities and schools safer.

"In order to grow our city by 10,000 families in 10 years, we need to continue to make the city safer for young people and families," said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. "Youth Violence Prevention Week reminds us that we all can play a positive role in making our communities safer."

This year Baltimore City Health Department and Recreation and Parks have partnered with community organizations to schedule more than 70 events for youths and adults, including peace rallies, a basketball tournament, and dance and poster contests.

More information on Youth Violence Prevention Week activities

Nominate “Baltimore’s Top Neighborhood Moms!”

Neighborhood associations are encouraged to submit nominations for this year's Top Neighborhood Moms. You may download and fill out the nomination form, listing the sponsoring group, the nominee, how she helps your neighborhood and the reasons your "Neighborhood Mom" should be recognized for her work. (The woman you nominate does not need to be an actual mother but someone who has given motherly love through her work to your community.) Deadline is Friday, April 20, 2012. For more information, contact Marva Williams by telephone at 410-545-7983 or via e-mail at marva.williams@baltimorecity.gov.

FEDirect Federal Job Application Workshop

Baltimore City’s One-Stop Career Center Network recently introduced the FEDirect Federal Job Application Workshop to provide jobseekers with the skills they need to successfully compete for positions with the federal government. The workshop curriculum includes background information about the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, which has brought thousands of new federal jobs to Maryland, an overview of the security clearance process, and tips for federal resume writing, among other topics. The workshop is free, but participants must pre-register and meet several eligibility requirements. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for March 20; April 5 and 18; May 11 and 22; and June 8 and 20, 2012. For more information, contact any of the city’s One-Stop Career Centers, or Mike Volk at wvolk@oedworks.com.

Baltimore Integration Partnership RFP for Bridge Programs and Workforce Training

This RFP seeks to identify partners who can advance the Baltimore Integration Partnership Training Fund’s goal of connecting low-income residents of partner communities to employment opportunities via appropriate, high quality occupational training and/or pre-employment bridge training that meets the needs of employers for a skilled workforce. Grants will be made to eligible community organizations, public entities, educational institutions, and their business partners. Deadline to Apply: April 15, 2012. More information

MECU Neighborhood Event Grants

Does your community dream of organizing a project like a street festival, flea market, health fair, or block party? The MECU Neighborhood Event Grants program distributes funds to qualified neighborhood associations and community-based nonprofit groups for the purpose of strengthening neighborhoods through producing special events. The application deadline is Friday, March 30. For more information on the MECU Neighborhood Event Grants, visit the website or call 410-752-8632.

Maryland Environmental Trust Environmental Grants

The Maryland Environmental Trust's Keep Maryland Beautiful Program, funded in part by the State Highway Administration, presents the Margaret Rosch Jones Award and the Bill James Environmental Grants to volunteer or non-profit groups who do environmental education projects. Applications open until March 31, 2012. Click here to download the application. Applications may also be obtained from the Maryland Environmental Trust. Contact Catherine Ford at cford@dnr.state.md.us.

Mayor Launches Clean Community Competition

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the Department of Public Works challenge Baltimore City communities to get back to basics and join in tackling sanitation challenges block by block. All official community associations are invited to participate in this friendly competition. Communities will be judged on a variety of categories. Keep a scrap book for the judges, documenting your hard work and showing off your great results! Winning communities will receive cash prizes to benefit their community association and activities. The competition kicks off April 21 and runs through October 19. Winning communities will be announced at the Mayor’s Fall Clean Up on Saturday, October 27. Registration is required and ends April 9. Call 311 for more information or to register.

2012 Baltimore Citizen Survey

The annual Baltimore Citizen Survey aims to identify trends in behavior and attitudes regarding quality of life indicators and City services. Survey results will be used to inform and enhance program planning and policy development across all City agencies, to create more focused, responsive, and efficient government services. The survey randomly selects approximately 1,800 residents to complete the telephone survey. It is being conducted from April to June for 2012. There is also an online survey available that acts as a supplement to the phone survey. The online survey is an unscientific collection of responses. Take the online survey

Maryland Science Center Scholarships

The Dr. H. Bentley Glass Scholarships are awarded annually to two Baltimore City public high school students who intend to pursue post-secondary STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) studies at a two-year or four-year college or university. Each scholarship is a $1,500 non-renewable award and is intended to support the recipient’s education-related expenses. Scholarship recipients will also receive a paid summer internship at the Maryland Science Center. For more information or to apply

Community Development Project: Free Legal Advice for Nonprofits

The Community Development Project, a program of the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, provides free legal assistance to nonprofit organizations working to strengthen and revitalize low-income communities in Maryland. To receive an application, contact Blair Inniss at Blair@mvlslaw.org. For more information about the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, visit www.mvlslaw.org.

Free Legal Services to Community Associations and Nonprofits

Community Law Center, a nonprofit law firm, provides legal services to community and nonprofit organizations throughout Maryland to promote stronger and more vibrant neighborhoods. Contact CLC if your organization needs assistance with any legal matter, ranging from drafting bylaws, incorporating, and obtaining 501(c)(3) status to representation before the zoning and liquor boards. For more information and for an application for legal services, see www.communitylaw.org.

Baltimore CASH Campaign Tax Preparation

The Baltimore CASH Campaign strives to provide working families access to the tools and services needed to maximize their earning dollars. Free services are provided to taxpayers with incomes under $50,000 and single taxpayers (no dependents) with incomes under $25,000. Come to a free tax preparation site to see what you may qualify for. Trained and certified volunteers will prepare and e-file your taxes for free, and even help you direct deposit for a faster refund. For more information

Call for Artscape Entries

The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts is seeking visual and performing artists for the 31st annual Artscape, America’s largest free arts festival, scheduled for July 20-22. Arts organizations, artisans, theater and classical music companies, as well as children’s entertainers can apply. Applications are available online at www.artscape.org. Deadlines for submissions vary.

Summer Food Service Program Seeks Sites

Baltimore Housing’s Office of Community Services is pleased to offer the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Thousands of children in Baltimore rely on the meals provided at school. When schools close for the summer, children miss out on free or reduced-price meals. Through the SFSP, children can continue to receive nutritious meals while on break. The SFSP is seeking community organizations to become feeding sites. Meals are provided at no cost to the children and are prepared daily and delivered fresh to feeding locations. For more information about the 2012 Summer Food Service Program, or to become a feeding site, visit www.baltimorehousing.org/food.

Baltimore Builds: Workshop Series: Learn How to Purchase City-Owned Property

Wednesday, March 21, 6pm-7pm, Oliver Community Center, 1400 E. Federal Street. Free admission. Seating is limited and pre-registration required! Register Today. Call the Baltimore Housing Office of Land Resources at 410-396-4111 or email V2V@baltimorecity.gov. For more information, please visit the Vacants to Value page at www.baltimorehousing.org or find us on Facebook.

Public Meeting: Station North Arts & Entertainment District

Wednesday, March 21, 6pm-7:30pm. St Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1900 St Paul Street. Held in collaboration with the Central Baltimore Partnership, the discussion outlines the re-designation of the Station North Arts & Entertainment District. Residents and businesses are encouraged to attend to provide comments on the re-designation of the district to representatives from Baltimore City Government and Station North Arts & Entertainment, Inc. who intend to apply for re-designation next month. For questions regarding the Station North Arts & Entertainment District Re-Designation, email Ben Stone, executive director of Station North, at ben.stone@stationnorth.org.

Your Community . . . Your Health: A Neighborhood Meeting

(for residents of Allendale/Irvington/South Hilton, Beechfield/Ten Hills/West Hills, Dickeyville/Franklintown, Edmondson Village, Forest Park/Walbrook)

Thursday, March 22, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Edmondson-Westside High School, 501 Athol Avenue. Even more than direct medical care, the places where we live, work, learn, and play affect our health. Baltimore City neighborhoods face many public health challenges, but also opportunities to improve health. Commissioner of Health Dr. Oxiris Barbot and senior staff will present your 2011 Neighborhood Health profile data; listen to your concerns and ideas for change; discuss opportunities for working together to improve health, and share health education materials. Special Guest: 8th District City Councilwoman Helen L. Holton. To get your Neighborhood Health Profile, visit www.baltimorehealth.org or call 410-396-4398.

Historic Tax Credit Workshops with Baltimore Heritage

Thursday, March 22, AIA Baltimore Basement gallery, 11 1/2 West Chase Street. Baltimore Heritage's historic tax credit workshops offer a brief introduction to Maryland Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit program, a 20% refundable income tax credit program for homeowners working on rehabilitation projects in designated historic districts — together with information on the Baltimore City historic tax credit for homeowners and businesses. RSVP today! Questions? Contact Eli Pousson, Field Officer at pousson@baltimoreheritage.org or 301-204-3337.

5th Annual Neighborhood Institute: Love Where You Live

Saturday, March 24, The Inn at the Colonnade, 4 West University Parkway, 9am-3pm. Greater Homewood Community Corporation sponsors a day of informative workshops. Learn what you can do to build and strengthen vibrant urban neighborhoods. Following the day's workshops, join your neighbors for a panel discussion. Cap off the evening with a special happy hour at Alizée Boutique Bistro and Wine Bar. This event is free and includes lunch, but attendees are encouraged to RSVP no later than March 17. Visit our website at www.greaterhomewood.org/neighborhoodinstitute for more information.

Your Community . . . Your Health: A Neighborhood Meeting

(for residents of Belair-Edison, Claremont/Armistead, Clifton-Berea, Madison/East End, Patterson Park North & East, Perkins/Middle East)

Thursday, March 29, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Humanim at the American Brewery, 1701 N. Gay Street . Even more than direct medical care, the places where we live, work, learn, and play affect our health. Baltimore City neighborhoods face many public health challenges, but also opportunities to improve health. Commissioner of Health Dr. Oxiris Barbot and senior staff will present your 2011 Neighborhood Health profile data; listen to your concerns and ideas for change; discuss opportunities for working together to improve health, and share health education materials. Special Guest: 13th District City Councilman Warren Branch. To get your Neighborhood Health Profile, visit www.baltimorehealth.org or call 410-396-4398.

Waverly Main Street Commemorates War of 1812 Bicentennial

Sunday, April 1, 12 - 2 pm. Join Waverly Main Street for a walk through history! The walk will begin on the site of the former American Revolutionary military barracks at 3009 Greenmount Avenue and Old York Road. Stops along the way include the Waverly Fire House, the old US Post Office Waverly Station (historically renovated for reuse as Ace Hardware), the Waverly Historic Marker on Olmsted Green. The walk will conclude with a reception outside old Waverly Town Hall, at 3100 Greenmount Avenue, featuring poetry, music, and special guests.

www.waverlymainstreet.net

11th Annual City of Baltimore Procurement and Outreach Fair

Thursday, April 5, 8:00 am-12:00 noon, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane. This fair is an opportunity for businesses to network with City, State and Federal quasi-public government agencies, financial institutions and corporate companies to increase procurement opportunities with the City of Baltimore. Admission and parking is free to the public. Pre-registration is not required. For information about exhibitor opportunities, contact the Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development at 410-396-3818.

Druid Heights CDC/Charles R. Uncles Senior Plaza Health Fair

Thursday, April 12, Charles R. Uncles Senior Plaza, 607 Pennsylvania Ave. Participate in health screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and more. Free giveaways. Featuring Maryland General Community Van, Mental Health, Maryland Food Bank, Bravo Health, Johns Hopkins (CARES) Safety Center. For more information, please contact Jeri Manning at 443.872.0683.

Baltimore City Vendor Development Seminar Series for Minority and Women Business Enterprises

Small Business Resource Center, 1101 E. 33rd Street, Suite C-307. Mondays: April 9, 16, 23, and 30, 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The Vendor Development Seminar Series introduces minority-owned and women-owned businesses to the proper policies, procedures and processes, including the law for conducting business with the City of Baltimore. Cost: $25.00 per class. For more information and to register, contact the Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development at 410-396-3818.