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| Earlier this week, I commended Baltimore City's Congressional Delegation for their support of the YouthWorks summer jobs program at a press conference at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The delegation was successful in securing a $575,000 Department of Labor grant, which will provide six-week summer jobs in high growth industries to Baltimore youth and young adults as part of YouthWorks' new Baltimore Career Corps project.
This grant, sponsored by Congressman John Sarbanes and supported by the entire delegation, has allowed our YouthWorks summer jobs program to employ 300 young people in career-oriented positions at worksites such as Sinai Hospital, Civic Works, and the National Aquarium. These 300 youth workers are part of the more than 5,400 young people, ages 14-24, who are working this summer at more than 600 private sector and nonprofit locations throughout the city. At a cost of $1,400 per participant to pay wages for these 30-hour per week positions, several sources of funding are being utilized to operate this city-wide program.
This federal grant funding award was all the more important due to the fact that American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for summer youth employment, which helped many communities across the country put teens to work last summer, was not renewed this year. It's important to note that as a result, hundreds of cities simply chose not to operate summer youth employment programs this year.
In contrast, Baltimore City has maintained its commitment to make summer jobs a priority-even in this dire economy. While we were certainly impacted by the loss of federal stimulus funding, our city government made sure that money was available to support our annual YouthWorks program during one of the city's most challenging budgetary environments. Combined funding from the city, the state, and contributions from private sector employers and philanthropic organizations have allowed us to continue to offer meaningful work experiences to this year's 5,400 youth participants.
This year's YouthWorks theme, Summer Jobs Launch Careers, illustrates the lasting effect that a productive summer job can have on a young person. Our goal will always be to provide as many summer work opportunities as possible to our youth who want to work, and you can be assured that Baltimore City will continue its solid commitment to investing in our future workforce today.
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Sincerely,
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor, City of Baltimore
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Code Red Heat Alert
The Baltimore City Health Department has issued a Code Red Heat Alert for today, July 22 and Saturday, July 23. Air-conditioned cooling centers will offer water for those seeking relief from the heat. Call 311 or visit the Code Red Heat Alert Information page for the latest cooling center locations and hours. |
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Congratulations to the Baltimore Mariners! Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake would like to congratulate the Baltimore Mariners on their 15-0 season, and wish them the best of luck in the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) national championship game on Sunday, July 25. |
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Red Line Station Design in Your Neighborhood Nominations are still being accepted to serve on the Red Line Station Area Advisory Committees (SAAC)! You can participate in the process by volunteering to serve on your area SAAC. Nominations are open until August 25. For more information and to sign up online, visit the MTA Red Line website. |
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Bulk is Back! Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced recently that citizens can again call 311 to schedule bulk trash collections. The Bureau of Solid Waste will resume bulk collection services starting Monday, August 2. The Bureau of Solid Waste has worked to reroute and make bulk service more effective and efficient. Route changes may mean new bulk collection days in some areas. Residents are asked to schedule their collection and confirm the date with 311. |
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International Festival Volunteers Needed Come and be a part of one of the city's most colorful summertime festivals, August 7-8. Volunteers are needed both days to assist with traffic control, the children's area, the two-day soccer tournament, vendor registration, and other general duties. All volunteers will receive an official festival t-shirt.
For more information or to sign up, contact the Baltimore Community Relations Commission's Michele Molinaro at 410-396-3414 or michele.molinaro@baltimorecity.gov. |
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Oh Say Can You See Baltimore In June 2011, the U.S. Conference of Mayors will hold their annual meeting in Baltimore City, drawing over 1300 participants including the leadership of our nation's top cities and key federal partners. Mayor Rawlings-Blake recently presented Baltimore's theme for next year's Meeting. The Mayor's presentation included a video about Baltimore, featuring a new rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" sung by Baltimore-native Mario (with Marvin Gaye). This video can be seen at http://www.baltimorecity.gov/Home/tabid/37/LiveTabId/142811/Default.aspx. |
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Graffiti Blitz The Graffiti Blitz is a citywide effort to remove graffiti from playgrounds, rec centers, public buildings, alleys, and vacant properties. If you have graffiti in your neighborhood that you would like to have removed, please call 311 by July 31. |
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Little Italy's Open Air Film Festival Fridays, July-August, 7:00 pm-11:00 pm
Corner of High Street & Stiles Street Presented by the Little Italy Restaurant Association, enjoy live music, free movies, and popcorn. Arrive early to eat dinner at one of Little Italy's many restaurants, set up a lawn chair, enjoy the music, and stroll the charming neighborhood.
To view the movie schedule, visit www.littleitalymd.org. |
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AVAM's Flicks from the Hill Thursdays, July 1-August 19, 5:00 pm-11:00 pm
American Visionary Arts Museum, 800 Key Highway The American Visionary Arts Museum presents outdoor family films on Federal Hill! The flicks are related to the theme of the exhibition: Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness. The museum is open and free from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm before the flick.
To view the film schedule, visit www.avam.org. |
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Dive In Movie at the Pool Friday, July 23, 8:00 pm-10:00 pm
Druid Hill Park Pool, 800 Wyman Park Drive Enjoy an evening swim and a movie. Fun for the whole family! Tickets are $2 and include pool admission and movie. Refreshments will be available for sale.
For more information, call 410-396-3838. |
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Grow It, Don't Throw It! Saturday, July 24, 12:00 pm-2:00 pm
Carrie Murray Nature Center, 1901 Ridgetop Road Learn to grow plants from seeds, pits, and stems you would normally throw away. Be amazed by what your kitchen scraps can produce. Basic kitchen composting will also be discussed. Admission is $4, or $2 for children 5 and under.
For more information, or to pre-register, call 410-396-0808. |
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Jason and the Aquanauts: 20,000 Legs Over the Sea July 24-25 & July 31-August 1, Various times
Various locations Join the adventure at Fluid Movement's 9th Annual Synchronized Swimming Extravaganza! Sail away with the Legendary Greek hero on his perilous quest to find the Golden Fleece as only Fluid Movement can tell it. Replete with a skeleton army, a talking masthead, and the glittery costumes and swimming you've come to expect. Tickets are on sale now.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit fluidmovement.org. |
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International Festival Saturday & Sunday, August 7-8, 12:00 pm-9:00 pm
Poly/Western High School, 1400 West Coldspring Lane Baltimore celebrates its cultural diversity with music, dancing, and a variety of ethnic foods. Enjoy the 6th Annual Mayor's Cup Soccer Tournament. This annual celebration is FREE.
For more information, call 410-396-3141. |
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