West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation Quarterly Newsletter - Spring 2025
WBRF Is on Social Media!
The West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation (WBRF) is now on Facebook and Instagram! Follow us to see our community’s impactful work, programs and events—including those at The Factory. Help us grow by sharing our pages. Stay connected to the Renaissance!
Factory Opening Set
Join us for an Open House on May 13 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. as we open the doors of The Factory to kick off programming and services. The Factory will be home to a variety of nonprofit organizations as well as community-facing LifeBridge Health entities. Expected programming and services include workforce development, violence response, entrepreneurship, youth programming, mental health services and more. We are pleased to host some amazing organizations, including Baltimore's Promise, Innovation Works, Franklin Square Safe Streets Program, NAMI Baltimore, Center for Hope PAAVE Program, VSP and more.
WBRF Annual Report
We are pleased to share our FY 24 annual report highlighting investments and awards to support West Baltimore programming. Overall, WBRF awarded $6.1 million to over 70 organizations providing youth mentoring, food access, workforce development and other services for the community.
Introducing the WBRF Grantee Directory!
We’re excited to share that WBRF has launched a new Grantee Directory—a comprehensive resource highlighting the incredible services our grantees provide to communities on the West Side! This directory is designed to showcase their work and make vital programs more accessible to those who need them.
The directory is now live on the WBRF website and aims to help bring greater connectivity between nonprofit organizations as well as greater awareness of resources for community members.
Grace Medical Center Open House
Grace Medical Center invites you to come meet their team members, see the new spaces and learn more about the specialty services offered.
Where: Grace Medical Center | 2000 W. Baltimore St. Baltimore, MD 21223
When: April 29 | 2 – 3 p.m.
Stop the Iron Pipeline
Center for Hope and LifeBridge Health have launched a new campaign to tackle illegal gun trafficking in Maryland. The effort seeks to raise awareness, advocate for changes and support communities affected by gun violence. Gun violence is not just a legal issue but a public health crisis and is the number 1 cause of death for kids and teens.
In the News
- Baltimore seniors have died at shocking rates from drug overdoses. Help is on the way.
- Baltimore will use American Rescue Plan funds to expand low-income household internet access
- How Black Women Build is restoring Baltimore neighborhoods
- Why a Baltimore hospital on the front lines wants to curb gun trafficking
- "How do I parent from behind a wall?" No Struggle No Success supports families navigating the prison system
Grantee Spotlight
Requity
Requity is hands-on, engaging young builders in the renovation of the Carver House and its scaled model, the Carver Hut. With guidance from experienced local mentors, these students acquire practical skills in masonry, carpentry and more, opening doors to future career opportunities while restoring energy-efficient homes. This approach not only transforms aging structures but also instills a deep sense of pride and ownership in the neighborhood.
Requity’s grassroots efforts extend well beyond construction. The organization’s innovative programs include a culinary initiative where students prepare fresh, locally sourced meals for community events and neighbors in need. They also learn important financial literacy through workshops that empower them with essential life skills.
Requity’s fee-for-service offerings include catering, masonry, graphic design apparel through its print & press shop and photography, all generating revenue while providing students with hands-on work experience. By offering these diverse services, Requity is building meaningful connections, fostering resilience and paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future in West Baltimore.
Groundwork Kitchen
Groundwork Kitchen at Paul’s Place is making a lasting impact by preparing students for successful careers in the culinary industry. Through hands-on training, credential attainment and job readiness support, the program ensures that graduates have the skills and confidence to thrive in the workforce. Students gain industry-recognized certifications in food safety, hospitality and kitchen operations, opening doors to stable employment opportunities in the food service sector. Groundwork Kitchen prioritizes wraparound services designed to mitigate barriers to employment.
In order to equip students with the necessary resources to meet workplace expectations, all students receive transportation assistance, breakfast and lunch daily, uniforms and supplies, stipends and on-site shower and laundry access. Beyond training, Groundwork Kitchen prioritizes job placement and long-term career success. Graduates leave the program equipped with the experience and knowledge needed to secure meaningful employment. With strong employer partnerships, case management support and a commitment to breaking barriers to employment, Groundwork Kitchen continues to empower individuals on their journey toward economic stability and professional growth.
Newly Awarded Grants
- Access Art, Population Health, $60,000
- B&O Railroad Museum, Workforce Development, $75,000
- Boys and Girls Club, Youth Mentoring, $75,000
- Code in the Schools, Youth Mentoring, $70,000
- Ed Reed Foundation, Youth Mentoring, $40,000
- Faith and Works, Workforce Development, $70,000
- Innovation Works, Workforce Development, $95,000
- Let’s Thrive, Youth Mentoring, $80,000
- Parent/Child+, Youth Mentoring, $25,000
- UMB / CASH Campaign, Population Health, $63,000
- Wide Angle Youth Media, Youth Mentoring, $125,000
Program and Recruiting Opportunities
Join the Restore Baltimore program to gain new career and trade skills with the B&O Railroad Museum and CCBC! The Restore Baltimore Workforce Development is recruiting for a 6-month work-and-learn paid opportunity offered on-site at the Museum that combines hands-on training in skilled trades such as rail operations, facilities and construction. Register here for an upcoming Restore Baltimore information session (3/24, 3/26, 4/1 and 4/3) and visit the website to learn more.
Civic Works Elder Services is offering resources to older adults through our donation closet. The closet is now stocked with new supplies, including wheelchairs, rollators, walkers, bedside commodes, reachers and more! Qualifications for picking up items from the donation closet: Must be 55+ years old and a Maryland resident. Pick-up only. Reach out Monique McKinley for more information at mmckinley@civicworks.com or 410-712-6531.
On April 12, Let’s Thrive will host its big annual renovation at the Healing Memorial Garden, 1515 Riggs Ave. Baltimore, MD 21217 at 3 p.m. Please contact Tyric Byer at Tyricb@letsthrivebaltimore.org or sign up at www.Letsthrivebaltimore.org.
Liberty Village Project, Shoot Hoops Not Guns and Chase Your Dreams Academy invite Maryland youth aged 12-18 with Medicaid insurance to join our Youth Drug Prevention Program, a twice-weekly virtual gathering to address real-life challenges: Peer pressure, trauma, social stress and drug temptation. Youth will learn financial literacy while receiving a weekly stipend to budget and save. Contact soniachase@cydacademy.org or call 410-812-7670.
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service is hosting a series of Tax Sale Prevention Clinics in March and April in conjunction with Pro Bono Resource Center and Stop Oppressive Seizures Fund. These clinics are for people who are behind on their property taxes and risk facing tax sale. Locations include the Carefirst Community Engagement Center and the Bon Secours Community Resource Center. To sign up, contact 443-703-3052.
No Struggle No Success is recruiting for two paid internship positions: Administrative Assistant and Case Manager, assisting justice-impacted individuals. Four-month assignment with an option to extend. Applicants must be 21+ with reliable transportation. For more information, please contact us at mjohnson@nostrugglenosuccess.org
SOWEBO Arts and Music Festival May 25, 12 – 8 p.m. Celebrating the 42nd annual historic arts and music festival bringing together local music, visual artists and entertainers, great food, neighbors and fun for all ages. For more information, please visit https://www.sowebofest.org/.
Urban Alliance’s Property Management Program – This initiative provides hands-on training and industry-recognized certifications that put individuals on a direct path to a career in service maintenance. Our upcoming cohorts are April – June 2025 and September 2025 – January 2026. April is the best for any recent HS graduates, and September is for anyone who will graduate in June 2025. Please visit their website for more information.
Youth As Resources (YAR): YAR is a youth-led grant-making, leadership development and community-organizing organization. They are currently recruiting youth ages 14–23 to join their Board of Directors. YAR also hosts a monthly School Police Roundtable on the last Wednesday of each month. The roundtable focuses on legislative work and student rights related to school police. To learn more or to join, email jreeder@youthasresources.org or visit www.youthasresources.org.