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Jack's Journal: Vol. 9, Issue 4

                                                                                                                    

Historic Children & Youth Fund takes the next step as the Board of Estimates passes Memorandum of Understanding

 

 

Earlier this morning, the Board of Estimates passed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Baltimore and Associated Black Charities, Inc. (ABC) related to the administration of the Baltimore City Children & Youth Fund.

 

Moving forward, ABC will take the lead in distributing the grants and then set up a new organization to do so going forward.

 

The work of implementing the Youth Fund represents a historic shift in grant making, from one that is dictated to communities, to a process that has community in the driver’s seat from a grant-making perspective.

 

“This process is groundbreaking on so many levels,” Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young said. “But one thing that I’m most proud of is the fact that, rather than politicians having the final say, the actual citizens of Baltimore, through a grassroots community engagement process, will be the ones deciding how dollars are spent.”

 

The Baltimore City Children & Youth Fund, approved by voters in 2016, is a continuing, non-lapsing fund, which provides funding for programs and services to the children and youth of Baltimore City. Upon approval by the voters of Baltimore City, the Council President’s engaged a Task Force constituted of a wide range of stakeholders to make recommendations on the constitution and administration of the Fund.

 

In the interim, you can contact Lester Davis for more information please visit BCYfund.org, you may also contact  Lester Davis, in the Office of City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young by email at Lester.davis@baltimorecity.gov or by phone at 443-984-2975.

 

 

 


Baltimore to offer first parking amnesty in 15 years

 

Baltimore City is offering an enticing carrot to delinquent motorists who haven’t paid outstanding parking fines.

 

On Wednesday, Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and City Council President announced a parking amnesty program to waive late fees on outstanding parking fines in Baltimore.

 

People with unpaid parking tickets can pay the base fine on Feb. 1 or Feb. 2 and late fees and other additional charges will be waived.

 

It’s the first such amnesty on late fees in 15 years in Baltimore.

 

Baltimore City estimates more than 500,000 parking citations owed by more than 320,000 motorists may be eligible for amnesty.  A parking amnesty notice will be mailed to all eligible motorists by mid-January.  Additional notices will be provided online and in the Abel Wolman Municipal Building at 200 N. Holliday Street. 

 

To qualify for the Amnesty, the full original fine amount must be paid.  The Amnesty will be a waiver of all accumulated monthly penalty charges for unpaid parking citations and the City’s $25 flag fee.  Fees assessed for bad checks, towing, booting, and lot storage of impounded vehicles and the state of Maryland’s flag fees and court costs will not be waived.

 

For more information, please visit http://cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/parkingfines/

 


WINTER SHELTER STATUS:  ACTIVE
Tuesday, January 30 until Sunday, February 4 @11am

 

The Mayor’s Office of Human Services (MOHS) will provide emergency shelter to all people experiencing homelessness on nights when the temperature with wind chill reaches freezing (32 degrees and below). 

 

MOHS has partnered with several existing emergency shelters to increase the number of shelter beds available.  Shelter utilization is closely monitored on winter shelter nights.  If existing facilities reach full capacity on a winter shelter night, MOHS will activate an additional overflow shelter that can accommodate families, adults, and unaccompanied youth (under 25).

 

Individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness can access overflow shelter and transportation through two hubs: 

 

Adult-Only Households
Weinberg Housing and Resource Center
620 Fallsway
Baltimore, MD 21202
443-478-3777     

Families with Minor Children
Sarah’s Hope
1114 N. Mount Street
Baltimore, MD 21217
410-396-2204

 

Shelter seekers should plan to arrive at the appropriate hub for their household type by 6pm to allow sufficient time for transportation to overflow shelter facilities and dinner service.  Transportation to overflow shelter will be available until 11pm. 

 

Participating shelters will provide accommodations from 6pm to 11am the next morning.  Each person will be provided with dinner and breakfast, access to shower and laundry services, and transportation to/from the shelter.

 


THE NONPROFIT CASH CAMPAIGN OF MARYLAND ANNOUNCES

2018 FREE TAX PREPARATION SITES FOR LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS 

 

Baltimore, Md.  Now in its 17th year offering free tax preparation services for low-to-moderate income Marylanders, the CASH (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Campaign of Maryland is operating tax preparation sites in the Baltimore area and working with over 21 partner organizations across the state to provide free tax preparation services. 

 

FREE TAX PREP SITES IN BALTIMORE: There are 13 sites in Baltimore City and 2 sites in Baltimore County this tax season where highly trained IRS-certified volunteers will prepare and electronically file (e-file) both federal & state taxes for FREE for eligible taxpayers. People are urged to go on-line at www.bmorefreetaxes.org or call 410-234-8008 now to set up appointments.  The 15 sites are located in Central Baltimore, South Baltimore, East Baltimore, North West Baltimore and also Towson & Catonsville in Baltimore County so there’s a site convenient to just about everyone. Many of the City sites are in Community Action Centers. 

 

 

“I cannot stress how important the CASH Campaign of Maryland is to improving our city’s future and strengthening its communities.  No one should have to go through the complicated maze of tax preparation without professional guidance, “said City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young. “Every citizen deserves to get the tax write-offs and refunds they need to make their lives a little easier.”

 

CASH CAMPAIGN’S 2018 FREE TAX PREP SITES IN BALTIMORE CITY:

 

Central Baltimore

 

Central Enoch Pratt Free Library 

400 Cathedral Street, 21201

 

1199 SEIU
611 North Eutaw Street, 21201

 

CASH Campaign @ Union Baptist Church

1201 Druid Hill Avenue, Suite A, 21217

Corner of Druid Hill Avenue and Dolphin Street

 

South Baltimore

 

Southern Community Action Center
606 Cherry Hill Road, 21225

Baltimore City Residents Only

 

North West

 

Northwest Community Action Center
3939 Reisterstown Road, 21215 (Baltimore City Residents Only)

 

Center for Urban Families 
2201 North Monroe Street, 21217

 

Habitat for Humanity

Appointments available at two locations on varying days:

3741 Commerce Drive, #311, Halethorpe, 21227

1300 North Fulton Avenue, Baltimore, 21217

 

North Baltimore

 

Northern Community Action Center
5225 York Road, 21212

Baltimore City Residents Only

 

East Baltimore

 

We Are CASA

2224 East Fayette Street, 21231

Appointments only 410-732-7777
Not ADA compliant, but wheelchair accessible
Servicios disponibles en español, llame al 410-732-7777

para hacer una cita

 

Southeast Community Action Center

3411 Bank Street, 21224

  
Humanim, Inc.

1701 North Gay Street, 21213

 

Morgan State University, School of Business

1700 East Cold Spring Lane, 21251

Corner of Hillen Road and Argonne Drive

 

 


Safe sleep for infants is an important health issue. 
 

 
 

Sleep-related deaths are the second leading cause of infant mortality in Baltimore and the leading cause of death for infants 1 month to 1 year of age.  Most of these deaths occur two to four months after birth. Nationally, African-American infants are twice as likely as white infants to suffer a sleep-related death.  

 

What you say and do makes a difference. 

 

Studies indicate that parents who have been counseled by health care professionals about safe sleep are more likely to place infants on their backs for sleep. Similarly, if patients have seen their infant placed to sleep on his or her stomach by a health care provider, they are more likely to adopt this dangerous practice at home. 

 

In Baltimore City, most infants who die in their sleep are found in unsafe sleep environments. These environments include bed sharing with an adult or sibling, sleeping on an adult bed, a couch, or other unsafe surface, and sleeping on the stomach.   

 

Education works.

 

Safe sleep campaigns have been associated with a decrease in SIDS deaths in countries that have implemented coordinated, far-reaching campaigns. Nationally, the Back-to-Sleep campaigns in the U.S. are credited with a 42% reduction in SIDS between 1992 and 1998.

 

In Baltimore, the number of sleep-related deaths has dropped and remained at lower levels since the 2010 launch of the SLEEP SAFE campaign, a coordinated effort of mass media advertising, community mobilization, and provider counseling.

 


 

Out and About in Baltimore

 

Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young testifying before the Baltimore City Delegation in Annapolis expressing support for HB117 - Tax Credit for Baltimore School Police.

 

If passed, the llegislation would essentially bring school police in line with the same property tax credit passed last year by the City Council for Baltimore City first responders.

 

 

 

 

  

 

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Council President  Bernard C. "Jack" Young ‪checking out Delegate Luke Clippinger's coding skills at an event in Annapolis in the House Building. Student ambassadors are showing us the ropes. And there are several bills this session that promote STEM learning. ‬

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Coming up in Baltimore

 

Healthy First Saturday
Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 10 am -5 pm
Keep your New Year resolutions going strong! Join us for Healthy First Saturday and find ways to get active as a family! Take part in and enjoy programs that encourage children to get active, make healthy choices, and understand how our bodies work! Get Kinderfit! with the Kindersinger, stretch and learn new poses as a family during Life on Yoga Mountain and watch your little ones express themselves during our interactive theater workshop, Play Within a Play! Also, not to miss: a family jam session with Faza Fam Family Jam, and a meet and greet with the important therapy dogs from FIDOS for Freedom. Plus, take part in simple art and science projects that are fun, educational and that you can take home!

 

Presentation for parents as part of Baltimore Ceasefire February 2018
February 3, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m
Enoch Pratt Library -- Pennsylvania Ave Branch 
The presentation at Enoch Pratt Library will be titled "Where are the jobs and how do we prepare our children for them."  Presenters include representatives from: Maryland Business Roundtable for Education, MileOne Autogroup, Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters, Northrop Grumman and University of Maryland Medical Center. The goal in hosting this presentation is to provide hope to the Baltimore City community. Specifically letting parents and other caring adults know that there are many career opportunities available to our children but our children must be prepared for them.

 

Strong City Baltimore & the Stoop Storytelling Series Presents "Keep Calm and ..."
A Fundraiser to Benefit Strong City's Adult Learning Center
Friday, Febrary 23rd, 6:30-9:30pm
University of Baltimore ' s Wright Theater
Come hear stories of resilience, strength and remaining calm in an ever-changing world from learners, staff and Baltimoreans who everyday push to “ carry on ” despite it all. TICKETS: $30, INCLUDES LITE FARE & DRINKS FOR MORE INFO: WWW.STRONGCITYBALTIMORE.ORG 

 

FRESH at the Avenue
Every Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Avenue Market, 1700 Pennsylvania Ave
Proudly selling produce grown in 21217. Featuring produce from local farms. Quality prices!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake
Volunteers Needed!
www.biglittle.org/volunteer
Becoming a mentor is easy. Mentoring is about real relationships that help young people overcome obstacles and thrive. From education to extracurricular activities to community engagement, young people benefit from mentoring. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake Community One-to-One Mentoring Program connects young people with caring adult mentors. Matches are provided with professional supports, inclusive of a case manager, and monthly low to no cost activities. We ask that volunteers commit to mentoring a child for a minimum of one year and to plan two to three match activities per month. To apply contact Leticia Sharp at 410-243-4000 or visit www.biglittle.org/volunteer to complete an online application . Visit Big Brothers Big Sisters on Facebook: BBBSGreaterChesapeake, Twitter: @bbbsgc and instagram: bbbsgc.
 

Online Homebuyer Education Course
24 hours a day/7days a week
www.ehomeamerica.org/
Looking to buy a home? Don't just take your best shot, make it a slam dunk! eHome America can help make your homebuying experience a winning experience! Learn what you need to know about the homebuying process, on your own schedule, from any computer. The cost is low, but the information is invaluable. Visit us at www.ehomeamerica.org/ for more information, or to register online. Information courtesy of Steven C. Kinney of the GO Northwest Housing Resource Center on 2300 Garrison Blvd., Suite 140. For more information e-mail skinney@go-northwesthrc.org or call 410-947-0084.
 

GO Northwest HRC Free Foreclosure and Prevention Counseling
Wednesdays, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM by appointment only
2300 Garrison BoulevardSuite 140
This workshop is for individuals who are behind on their mortgage and/or facing foreclosure. Free workshop and free parking! Appointment is required. Call 410-947-0084 x104 for more information.
 

Adult Education Classes in Baltimore City
Locations throughout Baltimore City
The Baltimore City Community College and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City will offer Basic Skills (Pre GED) Classes at the following locations: Eager Street Homes, 709 E. Eager Street; Gilmor Homes, 1515 Vincent Court; O'Donnell Heights, 1200 Gusryan Street; Pleasant View Homes, 201 N. Aisquith Street; Westport Homes, 2343 Norfolk Street; Brooklyn Homes, 4140 Tenth Street. You must be at least 17 years of age to enroll. For more information call 410-396-3212.