BALTIMORE — A $500,000 grant awarded to Jubilee Baltimore by Wells Fargo should help local charities in Baltimore achieve some of its more pressing objectives and will support the implementation of Central Baltimore Partnership (CBP) and its “Front and Center Plan: A Comprehensive Equity Strategy for Central Baltimore Plan.”
“Jubilee Baltimore, the Central Baltimore Partnership and all of the community partners are doing tremendous work to strengthen the neighborhoods of Central Baltimore and with these funds can provide even more resources to increase prosperity in this community,” said Monica Mitchell, the vice president of community relations and corporate responsibility for Wells Fargo.
In partnership with Jubilee Baltimore and more than 100 local nonprofit organizations, CBP plans to address youth and family, workforce development, and the community health and housing needs of central Baltimore residents. Specifically, the grant will help address issues that were identified during a 12-month neighborhood planning process that Wells Fargo funded through a Neighborhood Planning Grant.
“One of our core goals at Wells Fargo is to support our communities and through our Neighborhood Implementation Grants, we are able to invest directly into the communities we serve,” Mitchell said.
Further, Wells Fargo continues to believe that it’s important to remain active in the communities it serves and to give back, according to Mitchell.
In 2017, Wells Fargo gave more than $1.8 million in contributions and volunteered over 35,000 hours with local nonprofits across Maryland that focus on education, community development, civic, environmental, human services, and art and culture.
“We can only be as strong as the communities we serve which is why being present in the community, providing philanthropic dollars through foundation giving and volunteering through sweat-equity are a priority for Wells Fargo,” Mitchell said.
This latest grant will immediately address aspects of the Front and Center Initiative for the residents of Central Baltimore at the heart of Baltimore City, including community center gap programming and equipment; development of a strategy to pre-empt or treat chronic health conditions and preventable injuries; and expand outreach, training stipends and barrier removal fund for workforce development programs focused on upward economic mobility.
It will also provide legacy resident and senior housing upgrades and aging-in-place home repair programs. Additionally, plans include professional development and employment opportunities for youth.
“We’re happy to help bring this funding to Central Baltimore’s Front and Center Initiative,” said Charlie Duff, President of Jubilee Baltimore. “We are long-standing members of the Steering Committee of the Central Baltimore Partnership and are fully behind its efforts to ensure that all residents are part of the renaissance of the area.”
“We began by reaching out to the longtime residents of our transitional communities, for their priorities,” said Ellen Janes, executive director of the Central Baltimore Partnership. “This took the form of a resident survey that enabled us to find out exactly what their priorities are. What we heard is that resources are needed for health care, especially mental health concerns, more job and training opportunities, and assistance for youth and families. By applying resources to these needs, we seek to ensure that everyone benefits from new investment in Central Baltimore.”
Mitchell says Wells Fargo remains committed to the communities we serve, and the company is constantly looking for opportunities to invest in local initiatives, programs, and projects that will support and benefit residents and provide substantial growth and opportunities to work towards prosperity for all of their fellow neighbors and community members.
“It is important that we work closely with local residents throughout this entire process to identify their needs and the hurdles they face,” Mitchell said. “We are working with organizations like Jubilee Baltimore and Central Baltimore Partnerships to create solutions to these issues.… we are confident that the funds provided via our Neighborhood Implementation Grant will address key aspects and major issues faced by these residents on a daily basis.”