community
Impact Report
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At United Way, we’re invested in positive, enduring change. From amplifying the impact of local leaders to leveraging the full power of our supporters and volunteers for the good of Greater Baltimore, we ended another year with powerful results to fuel meaningful progress for our neighbors in 2022 and beyond.
$10,000
in funding offered to nonprofits and other organizations
through United Way
Neighborhood Grants
$500,000
invested in innovative
ideas to benefit people
and neighborhoods
Changemaker Challenge grant recipients:
media highlights
uwcm.org
THE (GRASS) ROOTS OF CHANGE
At United Way, we’ve always kept it local—and we know that neighborhood leaders can drive powerful, positive change in their communities. One of the ways we find and support these change-agents is our Neighborhood Grants Program. In 2021, we offered up to $10,000 in funding for projects to support neighborhood spaces, socially connected and active residents, and the impact of local leaders. These grants were open to nonprofit and other organizations with budgets under $500,000. Look for news on the grantees in future reports.
highlights
Impact
Highlights
Engagement
Media Highlights
in rent relief
provided this quarter to
1,121 households through
our STEP (Strategic Targeted
Eviction Prevention) Program
$11.7M
families received food,
toys, and personal care
items at our
Holiday Pop-Up Market
200+
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I finished strong due to the Family Center support. My relationship [with my child] and parenting is so amazing because the staff always helped me overcome any hardship! They gave me advice on how to be a great mother in any situation.
Always keep that energy, love, care, patience, etc. with the babies and mommies because that makes us feel amazing. To me, when I saw how y’all treat [my child] and myself, I felt so loved, supported, and motivated!
Local online, broadcast, and print media understand the value of our work and the importance of sharing it with the communities they serve. News about our work was included in more than 200 features and stories this quarter. View all coverage on our news page.
Caw to Action draws thousands of volunteers who joined United Way and Ravens players in a day of service projects
2021 Holiday Pop Up Market featured on WBAL TV
October-December 2021
infants and toddlers will
receive quality care and
education at our newest
Family Center in Columbia
76
Baltimore Sun
Top Workplaces award,
based on an employee survey
1
Up to
Up to
30 DAYS, 30 TOUGH DECISIONS
Want to know what life is really like for the working poor? Our new online 30|30 Experience is an immersive, interactive, multimedia program that reveals just why people can’t get ahead—no matter how hard they try. In 90 minutes, participants navigate 30 days of difficult decisions as they assume the identity of the head of a low-income household. Said one participant, “You’re not just seeing the challenges people face through a different lens, you’re feeling it. It’s incredibly powerful.”
2,300 people have already taken part in 30|30, including employees from BGE and CareFirst, which incorporated it into its Equity Week training program. The 30|30 Experience is currently available to workplaces or large groups, with sessions for individuals offered throughout the year.
Sign up and learn more here.
30 | 30
READY, SET…GROW!
Construction of our newest Family Center at 7115 Columbia Gateway Drive is complete, and soon parents working or living in Howard County will have a much-needed childcare center that’s accessible and affordable. The Family Center in Columbia is our third such center, which will provide childcare and enriching early education for up to 76 infants and toddlers. Know of a parent in need of childcare?
Send them this link to our inquiry form. And open staff positions for this center can be found on our
careers page.
YEAH, WE KNEW THAT
The Baltimore Sun has named United Way of Central Maryland as one of the region’s Top Workplaces for 2021. When you consider our mission to improve lives and a team filled with talented, compassionate people committed to the health and well-being of others— not to mention supportive leaders and awesome perks—it’s no surprise this recognition was based on a survey of our employees! If you know of someone looking to join this award-winning team, please direct them to our careers page!
NO PUNTING HERE!
What do you get when you combine a city that loves its football team and one that’s full of people who want to make a positive difference in our communities? For starters, 18,000+ Central Marylanders who heeded the annual United Way/Ravens Caw to Action! Volunteers in every county we serve got busy and got their hands dirty during this annual day of service. Families, corporate teams, school children, and people of all ages joined United Way staff and Baltimore Ravens players at 63 locations across our region to help beautify and improve neighborhoods. Check out this October event here!
THE REALITIES FOR WORKING WOMEN
The pandemic has eroded economic and social progress for working women, especially women of color. Many lost jobs in female-dominated industries or had to choose between work or caring for their children. Nearly 200 people logged on for our latest Realities of Inequity session in which local leaders discussed longstanding inequities driving this crisis and creative ways to drive meaningful change. A surprise appearance by former US Senator Barbara Mikulski topped off this rousing discussion.
Watch it all here.
AT THEIR SERVICE
Jerry loved serving his country in the Marine Corps. But the transition to civilian life was tough, and he developed a substance use issue that led to an arrest. In the Veterans Treatment Court, a voluntary program supported by United Way for veterans charged with misdemeanors, he got the help he needed to get back on his feet, rather than serve jail time.
We fundraise throughout the year for this important program, with additional focus on Veterans Day outreach. This year, we were pleased to receive an additional gift of $15,000 from Safeway Foundation to support the Baltimore program (the program also operates in Anne Arundel County).
Today, Jerry is clean and regularly attends AA meetings. “I’ve been able to adapt, adjust, and persevere,” he said. “I feel good about myself now.” Hear how he and other veterans are winning their personal battles on our latest podcast episode.
The Veterans Treatment Court is supported by a grant from the Maryland Judiciary’s Office of Problem-Solving Courts and many generous donors.
United Way provides what’s needed, where it’s needed throughout the year. But the holidays are always a challenge for those struggling to get by. Every year, we bring holiday help and cheer to thousands of children, families, and individuals across our region.
This year, our supporters and volunteers once again defined the true spirit of the season through their time, their generosity, and their compassion for others.
2021 HOLIDAY OUTREACH BRINGS HELP, HOPE, AND CHEER
children, families, and
individuals received food,
toys and gifts, books,
clothing, and more
2,700+
toys distributed to
children throughout
Central Maryland
2,000+
in donations to our
Home for Holidays
fundraising drives for
our housing programs
$20,000+
families in our Poppleton Neighborhood Zone received food, toys, and home/personal care items at our
Holiday Pop Up Market
200
local families
225
Companies and individuals provided holiday wish-list
items to
families received a
new HVAC system through
our partnership with
At Your Service Heating
and Cooling
2
Outreach
Columbia Family Center
construction complete
Safeway supports
Veterans Treatment Court program
Ports America Chesapeake funds projects
at United Way partner school
Giving Tuesday 2021 fundraising drive supported our housing programs
Nearly 18,500 volunteers answered the United Way/Ravens Caw to Action
Changemaker Araba Maze featured on Good Morning America
INVESTING IN SOCIAL INNOVATION
At United Way, we look for local change agents and help support their work to benefit Central Maryland. We’ve invested $500,000 to amplify the work of people and groups tackling the challenges facing our neighbors and neighborhoods in our third Changemaker Challenge. Twenty-nine individuals and nonprofits received funding for their innovative ideas at virtual events held in Baltimore City and the surrounding counties.
The Changemakers who received the top grant in each event include Alston for Athletes, B-360, Ballet After Dark, The Harford Community College Foundation, Improving Education, Kits to Heart, The Pro Bono Counseling Project, Safe Alternative Foundation for Education, Inc., Sharp Dressed Man, and Sober Truth. Audience choice awards were also presented at each event. Learn about this year’s Changemakers and support their work here. And check out media coverage on the Changemakers below—including one recipient who was recently featured on Good Morning America!
POWERING PERSONAL, PROFESSIONAL, AND COMMUNITY CHANGE
Our Community Impact Leadership Institute helps people grow their leadership and advocacy skills while taking action on causes they care about. More than 180 people registered for offerings this quarter, including sessions on how housing impacts academic achievement, the Veterans Treatment Court program, fundraising drive tips, and Factuality, a crash course in structural inequality. Learn more about the Institute’s free programming here.
Good Morning America
WBAL TV
WJZ TV Online
Tindea Family founder Elijah Miles talks with WBFF TV about his Changemaker project.
Changemaker grant recipients featured in Harford County
Recipient Araba Maze and her initiative to provide free children’s books in Baltimore’s book deserts (check her out on TikTok, too!)
Harford County’s The Aegis
The Howard County Times
The Afro
WJZ TV
Baltimore Times
Realities of Inequity session: Working women and the pandemic
Columbia Family Center
construction complete
Changemaker Araba Maze featured on Good Morning America
Safeway supports
Veterans Treatment Court program
Ports America Chesapeake funds projects
at United Way partner school
Giving Tuesday 2021 fundraising drive supported our housing programs
Nearly 18,500 volunteers answered the United Way/Ravens Caw to Action
invested in innovative
ideas to benefit people
and neighborhoods
$500,000
in funding offered to nonprofits and other organizations
through United Way
Neighborhood Grants
$10,000
Up to
families received food,
toys, and personal care
items at our
Holiday Pop-Up Market
200+
in rent relief
provided this quarter to
1,121 households through
our STEP (Strategic Targeted
Eviction Prevention) Program
$11.7M
infants and toddlers will
receive quality care and
education at our newest
Family Center in Columbia
76
Up to
Baltimore Sun
Top Workplaces award,
based on an employee survey
1
children, families, and
individuals received food,
toys and gifts, books,
clothing, and more
2,700+
toys distributed to
children throughout
Central Maryland
2,000+
in donations to our
Home for Holidays
fundraising drives for
our housing programs
$20,000+
families in our Poppleton Neighborhood Zone received food, toys, and home/personal care items at our
Holiday Pop Up Market
200
local families
225
Companies and individuals provided holiday wish-list
items to
families received a
new HVAC system through
our partnership with
At Your Service Heating
and Cooling
2