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This week I took part in a two-hour long panel discussion hosted by WYPR's Dan Rodricks about "The Future of Baltimore." It was an honor to join Dan and my fellow guests in a serious discussion about Baltimore's strengths and the challenges we need to confront to make this city better, safer, and stronger.
(Note: You can listen to the show and Mayor Rawlings-Blake's remarks on the Midday homepage. Scroll down to "Thursday, December 9" and click "Play now.")
One of the topics we discussed was the future of our most vulnerable youth and the need for more mentors in our communities. A caring adult mentor can have a positive impact on the life of a young person. Mentoring programs can be extremely effective in guiding our youth to make good choices and healthy decisions to stay in school and out of trouble.
Since my time on the City Council, I have wanted to find new ways to reach at-risk kids and help them navigate their way to adulthood. In that time, I have learned that government cannot do this alone.
Successful mentoring programs must first be led by experts in the field, like Big Brothers Big Sisters, and must be supported by local businesses, faith institutions, and individuals who want to serve. As part of my Youth B'More initiative, the City has forged a collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Maryland Mentoring Partnership.
B'Mentors: The Baltimore City Mentoring Initiative focuses on the young people who live in our neighborhoods that historically have the most violent crime. Big Brothers Big Sisters identified 285 young people in search of a caring adult in their life. Many of the young people who requested a mentor are African American males. I feel that it is our civic duty to answer their call for help.
Since we announced this effort, 22 matches have been made and dozens more adults have begun the process to become a mentor. I am grateful for the 22 people who are taking part in our effort to make the future brighter for our young people. We need more people to join them and take part. If you are interested in making a difference in the life of a young person, visit www.bmentors.org or call 410-243-4000.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at my website or by email at mayor@baltimorecity.gov. You can also follow the Mayor's Office and be a part of the conversation on Twitter. |
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Sincerely,
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor, City of Baltimore
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Happy Holidays From
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake! Click here to view a special message from Mayor Rawlings-Blake and all of us at City Hall. |
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Holiday Musical Instrument Drive The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with WMAR TV and WEAA FM, is asking parents, professional musicians, music hobbyists, everyone and anyone who might have a musical instrument tucked away, and not in current use, to donate the instrument to the BSO's OrchKids program. OrchKids uses music as a vehicle for social change. A major expense to the program is providing instruments to all of the students. Donation sites are located across the city through December 17. For more information, visit www.bsomusic.org/orchkids or call 410-783-8025. |
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Point-In-Time "Homeless Census" Volunteers Needed The Mayor's Office of Human Services, Homeless Services Program, in partnership with Morgan State University, is conducting its bi-annual Point-in-Time, a federally mandated project that aims to obtain an accurate count of homeless persons. The results of the census directly affect funding for homeless outreach, housing, and service programs and guides federal and local homeless policy. Volunteers are needed to conduct surveys in the early morning hours of January 25, between 1:00 am and 6:00 am. Click here to register for a volunteer training. To find out more about the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness in Baltimore, go to www.endinten.org. |
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National Great Blacks in Wax Pepsi Refresh Grant The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum is in the running for a $250,000 grant through the Pepsi Refresh Project. If awarded, the grant will be used to revitalize and create a shared green oasis at the rear of the museum. Every vote counts. Help bring $250,000 to the Baltimore community. Visit www.refresheverything.com/greatblacksinwax2 daily to cast your vote. Voting ends on December 31. |
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Don't Wait: Get Your Flu Shot Today!
Flu season is here. The most effective way to protect yourself, your family, and your friends from influenza is to get vaccinated. Each flu season, the Baltimore City Health Department provides free vaccinations at clinics across the city. Call 311 or visit the Health Department Website to find the clinic nearest you.
Other, simple ways to avoid the flu and stay healthy this fall:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, scrubbing vigorously for 20 seconds.
- Do not share personal items like drinks, food, or unwashed utensils.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or by using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is not available.
If someone in your household becomes sick and develops a fever, the person should stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours. Staying home when sick with flu will reduce the number of others who may get sick. |
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Baltimore Farmers' Market & Bazaar Shop for the region's freshest produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, fresh flowers and more. The bazaar returns with unique crafts and collectibles. The Baltimore Farmers' Market & Bazaar, located on Saratoga Street between Holliday and Gay streets under the Jones Falls Expressway, is open every Sunday through December 19 from 7:00 am until sell out, approximately noon. For more information, call 1-877-BALTIMORE or visit www.promotionandarts.com. |
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Christmas Gift Campaign Each year, the Baltimore City Health Department and the Commission on Aging and Retirement Education (CARE) donate new gift items to grandparents raising grandchildren living in Baltimore City. Last year, more than 85 families benefited from the effort, and this year's goal is to reach more than 100 families. Donations of toys, household goods, clothing, and personal hygiene products are needed. Gifts will be accepted November 18-December 19. For more information or a list of drop-off locations, call Ivan Forney at 410-396-4932. |
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Baltimore Reads Holiday Fair
Saturday, December 11, 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Baltimore Reads Book Bank, 501 N. Calvert Street Kids who attend this free fair will be invited to take home free books and have the opportunity to choose holiday gifts for family members for free or at kid-friendly prices. The day will feature story time and information on volunteering and community service projects for teenagers. For more information, visit www.baltimorereads.org or call 410-752-3595. |
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Mayor's Holiday Open House
Sunday, December 12, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
City Hall, 100 N. Holliday Street You are invited to attend an open house hosted by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Bring the whole family to enjoy performances from local community groups such as the Douglass High School Jazz Ensemble and the Shalom Jewish Choir. In the spirit of giving, donations of canned goods, hats, scarves, and gloves will be collected to support My Sister's Place Women's Center, a daytime shelter for homeless women and children. Parking validation for the Baltimore Street Garage (15 Guilford Ave.) will be available while supplies last. For more information, visit www.baltimorecity.gov. |
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Walking Thru a Winter Windowland
Open House: Sunday, December 12, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens Take a walk through a winter windowland as the annual poinsettia display revisits Lexington and Howard streets, a hub of old Baltimore's shopping district. At the open house, enjoy children's crafts, refreshments, a visit from Santa, and a body & soul holiday bazaar. The poinsettia display will run through January 2, Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 am-4:00 pm. For more information visit www.baltimorecity.gov/recnparks or call 410-396-0008. |
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Kwanzaa Family Day
Sunday, December 12, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive Join the BMA for a celebration of family, community, and culture. Learn about the seven Ngozu Saba, or principles of Kwanzaa, enjoy hands-on art activities such as making an African headdress or fly whisk, and see live family performances by DishiBem Traditional Contemporary Dance and Jali-D. For more information, call 443-573-1700 or visit www.artbma.org. |
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Renters in Foreclosure Workshops
Tuesday, December 14, 6:00 pm (please RSVP by December 8th)
Public Justice Center, 1 North Charles Street, Suite 200 These two free workshops are designed to help tenants whose landlords are in foreclosure. Attendees will receive detailed information regarding their rights as tenants throughout the course of a foreclosure, as well as one-on-one consultations with Public Justice Center attorneys and paralegals. Attendees should bring any lease, notices, or other case documents about the foreclosure with them. To RSVP, please call either Erin Barrett or Nora Mahlberg at (410) 625-9409. |
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Open Hands, Open Minds
Friday, December 17, 7:00 pm-12:00 midnight
Johns Hopkins University, Mattin Center Room 101, 3400 N. Charles St. Join Hand in Hand Baltimore for their first annual fundraiser. This event is a celebration of the youth of Hand in Hand, and Hand in Hand Baltimore's work to reduce juvenile recidivism and create new opportunities for youth. Tickets are $10 in advance or a suggested minimum donation of $15 at the door. For more information, or to RSVP, contact Jessica Turral at 410-889-5072 or handinhandbaltimore@gmail.com. |
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Neighborhood Grants Program Workshops
Monday, December 20, 12:00 pm-2:00 pm; 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Baltimore Community Foundation, 2 East Read Street Baltimore Community Foundation's Neighborhood Grants Program (NGP) hosts these two workshops for community organizations interested in tackling neighborhood improvement projects. Participation in one of the two workshops is mandatory for all NGP applicants. Learn about BCF's Neighborhood Grants Program and review the application process. For more information or to RSVP (by Thursday, December 16), contact Dion Cartwright at dcartwright@bcf.org. |
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Winter Solstice Celebration
Tuesday, December 21, 7:00 pm
First Unitarian Church, Charles and Franklin Streets This yearly celebration will include songs, poetry, drama, symbolic extinguishing of the old year's fire and lighting of the new, turning the Wheel of the Year, giving thanks for seasonal blessings, tasting seasonal sweets, and visiting with the Solstice Shaman. For more information, call 410-685-2330 or email Pat Montley at solstice@firstunitarian.net. |
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