HEBCAC 2024 Year in Review

HEBCAC YEAR IN REVIEW 2024

PREPARED BY:

ANTHONY MEDINA PRESENTED BY:

ANGELA MCCAULEY CONTRIBUTORS:

DWAYNE BRUCE IRISHA LUCAS

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Table of Content LETTER FROM THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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VISION & MISSION

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BY THE NUMBERS

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COMMUNITY PROJECTS

06-07

DEE’S PLACE

08-09

YO! BALTIMORE

10-11

THE NEST

12-13

THANK YOU + COLLAGE

14-15

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Letter from The Interim Executive Director Angela McCauley

Dear HEBCAC Community Members and Partners, My arrival at the Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC) in February as the Deputy Director of Strategy & Operations quickly switched gears in April as I assumed the role of Interim Executive Director. Faced with the unknown, I focused on what I know best, ensuring equity at all levels amongst my leadership team and an intentional commitment to our youth and individuals served by our Community Organizing Operations, The Nest Emergency Shelter, Dee’s Place Wellness & Recovery Center and our Youth Opportunities Program. As a strong people manager, I used those skills to steer HEBCAC in a new direction of service, while elevating the team supporting the operations of this organization.

As we approach the end of 2024, I want to reflect on HEBCAC’s 30 years of service to the East Baltimore Community. I’ve had the honor and privilege to lead this organization through a year of transition.

We have faced challenges and adversity head on with teamwork, passion, grit and integrity. These challenges have prepared us for a new landscape on the horizon in 2025. We now have the blueprint!

Our dedicated service to our youth, adults and community members has not wavered. I am thrilled at the potential of what comes next.

On behalf of my team and I, we wish you a wonderful holiday season!

Warm Regards, Angela

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Vision & Mission VISION

MISSION

In partnership with the community partners and stakeholders, the Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition, Inc. provides individualized programming to improve, serve, enhance and support the well-being of East Baltimore residents.

The Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC) is a nonprofit that began as a collaboration of community residents, Baltimore City Officials, and Johns Hopkins.

We have been a part of East Baltimore since 1994, serving the 220-block area bounded by Edison Highway, Aisquith Street, North Avenue, and Fayette Street.

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By the NUMBERS COMMUNITY ENGAGMENT

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

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$57,738

THE NEST

DEE’S PLACE

COMMUNITY PROJECTS COMPLETED

311

YOUTH ENROLLED AND/OR EXITED

ACROSS 6 HOME RENOVATION PROJECTS

76,820 INDIVIDUALS SERVED

DEE’S PLACE

DEE’S PLACE

PARTICIPANTS MEETING ATTENDANCE

12-STEP MEETINGS HOSTED

63,372 1,563

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Community Projects HEBCAC assists with community projects ranging from community beautification to safety initiatives, depending on the needs and desires of the community.​

Housing Renovation - In FY24, Through Community Catalyst funding provided by Baltimore City DHCD, HEBCAC allocated $57,738.82 to support 6 low-moderate income homeowners through home renovation projects. The projects ranged from window installation, brick repointing, and roof repair and replacement.

Cleaning & Greening - Since July, HEBCAC has invested over $10,000 to support community greening efforts through beautification projects, lot mowing/management, trash and debris removal, and tree pit renovations.

Computer Classes - This past year, HEBCAC purchased 8 new computers to refurbish the All for One Computer Lab located in the Hattie Harrison Community Room at 901 N Milton.

Between August and November HEBCAC partnered with JHU’s TechUp Program to offer two 12-session computer courses serving 10 residents in Milton-Montford.

07 Community Events - in FY24 HEBCAC held 2 Know Your Neighbor events, highlighting East Baltimore nonprofits and businesses to residents in the Milton-Montford Neighborhood.

Across the 2 events 90 residents attended to learn about 17 East Baltimore based organizations and businesses.

Aside from these events, HEBCAC supported Neighborhood Association Meetings in the Milton-Montford, Midtown East, and Berea Neighborhoods.

Safety Initiatives - We support community efforts to increase neighborhood safety through the installation of café lighting on 8 blocks in the Milton-Montford and Midtown East neighborhoods, investing $48,000 in ring cameras, greenspace revitalization, and traffic calming initiatives.

Bridget Cimino ARTIST

Safety Mural In August, Artist Bridget Cimino completed a new mural on the corner of Madison Street and Patterson Park Avenue to help slow traffic. This mural project was sponsored by the Maryland DHCD as part of a community safety grant, managed by resident leader Jiri Cruz and fiscally sponsored by HEBCAC.

News Article

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Dee’s Place Between September 2023 and November 2024 Dee’s Place serviced 76,820 individuals.

This past year was a big one for Dee’s Place.

In December 2023, Dee’s Place was able to open the doors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to individuals seeking recovery from substance use disorders, mental health issues and homelessness during the untraditional hours of the night.

Dee’s Place has also been able to offer Peer Recovery Specialist training for over 100 individuals.

They also partnered with the Mayors Office of Employment Development to help place or and/or certify individuals in the career of their choice.

This past year, Dee’s place has hosted over 15 12step marathons (narcotics anonymous meetings held hour on the hour all day) for individuals seeking to maintain their recovery. Aside from these milestones, Dee’s Place staff have attended multiple community events such as the Mobile Recovery Bus that travels the United States offering resources to the recovering community.

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Ronnie Winbush Dee’s Place Volunteer

To me, the impact that Dee’s Place has had on me is huge.

In their aim for all to come here, Dee’s Place has been supportive, understanding, caring and concerned about me and the people who come through that door.

For me coming here is like Family. They provide space for me to feel comfortable and welcome. That’s what [the staff and volunteers] put into the atmosphere.

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Stories of Success YO! Baltimore supports Baltimore City youth ages 18 to 24 years old with a myriad of direct and supportive services. Our youth center offers GED classes, 1 to 1 tutoring, assessments, free testing, case management, mental health services, and on- site job development and career exploration.

Here are some success stories from this past year. *Names omitted for privacy purposes.

Youth Participant 1 CT entered the YO Program at HEBCAC with the intent of passing the GED. He is an artist who left traditional school because he never felt it was a good place for him. He didn't feel challenged academically. He successfully passed the GED in one month after some intensive preparation and review. He is now seeking a placement through our Data Science Partnership with Data Trails. He is also an entrepreneur utilizing his amazing artistic talent as a tattoo artist.

Youth Participant 2 JH entered the YO Program at HEBCAC seeking her GED. Initially she felt a mental block due to frustrations with traditional school.

She had lost faith in herself. However, overcoming interpersonal conflicts and challenges made her realize how powerful she was and she set her mind on graduating. She successfully achieved that goal in November of 2024 and is currently enrolled in a CNA program. She plans on enrolling in an LPN program after completing the CNA and then she will work towards becoming an RN and earning a BSN. She has given herself a five year goal.

Youth Participant 3 KG entered the YO Program at HEBCAC and presented with issues of depression and self doubt, despite the smile and laughter that covered her deeper feelings. She had a plan that despite delays she would not stray from. She works overnight shifts at Burger King and was often exhausted in class but worked a strategy of studying with napping intervals. She also joined in with physical training exercises with her GED classmates and soon became more focused, energized, and positive in her once gloomy outlook. She successfully passed the GED in November of 2024 and is now seeking placement through our Data Science Partnership at Data Trails.

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Mr. Z 2024 has been a year of profound transition for the YO! Baltimore East Side Center. One constant throughout it all has been longtime GED Instructor Zizwe Allette (Mr. Z).

Zizwe Allette GED INSTRUCTOR

Zizwe was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1974, the first child of Caribbean immigrants. He attended grade school in Baltimore, Maryland, and completed a degree in History at Morgan State University.

He has served as a GED instructor at the HEBCAC Eastside Youth Opportunity Center for over 20 and has been a guide to countless youth in East Baltimore.

In December of 2023, Mr. Z was among 15 awardees honored at the Black Wall Street Awards meant to recognize the impact of heroes of the community; and to publicly thank the individuals who have had a positive impact on East Baltimore.

In the Fall of 2024 we welcomed 3 new Employment Advocates to the YO! Center, Candyce DavisHill, Robin Thomas, and Flory Gessner.

As we look toward the future of the YO! Baltimore East Side Center we are grateful to the foundation that Mr. Z has set and that we get to build on by welcoming new staff and students into the center.

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The NEST is a 10 bed community-based emergency youth shelter that provides shelter for homeless youth aged 18-24 for up to 90 days.

While at the NEST, residents are connected with resources to promote a transition to permanent housing solutions. Residents at the NEST also are encouraged to utilize additional supportive services through the Youth Opportunity (YO!) program.

Stories of Success Here is a short success story from this past year. *Names omitted for privacy purposes.

DC is a 20-year-old female who arrived at the shelter in January. The resident was experiencing homelessness and was accepted at the Nest Shelter. Upon her arrival, the resident had experienced many barriers and shared that she slept in her car for a year. The Nest provided a safe space and a positive environment that helped DC stay focused and finish school successfully. The resident is currently attending Baltimore City Community College for her A.A. degree and works as a direct care worker, Bello Marchrie. The resident was matched through PHS for a one-bedroom unit.

She received her keys and successfully moved into her new unit September. The Nest program gave the resident a care package, household items, food, and a starter kit.

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MOHS Spotlight In November and December Baltimore City’s Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services interviewed two NEST alumi. Click on the links below to hear their stories.

“It doesn’t feel like I’m homeless now. That’s the main thing. Being homeless is one thing but feeling homeless [is another].”

“[The Nest] doesn’t really feel like a shelter. It feels like a little shared home.”

Kalantae’s Story

Jane’s Story

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Thank You

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the generous funders of the Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition. Your unwavering support enables us to continue our vital work in the community, empowering individuals and fostering positive change by supporting our programs and initiatives.

Through your commitment, we are able to create lasting impact and advance our shared mission of building a stronger, more resilient East Baltimore. Thank you for your partnership and belief in our work.

HEBCAC Board of Directors Johns Hopkins University-School of Medicine SOM Admin Finance Business Office Human Resources-Shared Services Abell Foundation Annie E. Casey Baltimore City-Department of Housing & Community Development Baltimore Digital Equity Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore (BHSB)

Blaustein Foundation Bloomberg Philanthropies Bunting Family Foundation SAMHSA EBDI Digital Equity France Merrick Foundation Maryland DHCD Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED) Mayor's Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) RISE T. Rowe Price Weinberg Foundation

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Contact Us www.hebcac.org amccauley@hebcac.org 443 524-2809 1212 N Wolfe St. Baltimore, MD 21213