Everything Under The Sun: From Americorps To Baltimore

Community service on Earth Day last year.

Did you know that Americorps has developed organizations through which its members, staff, and volunteers can work in a specific area? I surely didn't know that, and I'm equally surprised to learn that one of its organizations is designed specifically for Baltimore.

Known as CIVIC WORKS, this organization offers job training, skills development, and community service. Building Brighter Futures provides job training in the weatherization, construction, and healthcare industries. Through this program, 600 participants were place in jobs, while 4,000 Americorps members were involved in community service.

Within the Healthy & Green Communities component, the focus is on agriculture, yes, even in the city. The work is on sustainability, land conservation and revitalization, along with economic viability. The Baltimore Orchard Project plants orchards and food trees on unused spaces, and at the end of the growing season, harvests the fruits to be provided to those in need. The Community Lots Team takes vacant lots and transforms them into community gardens and green spaces. Little Gunpowder Farm, located in Baltimore County, grows food with sustainable methods, and provides that produce at reasonable prices to Baltimore residents. In the process, young farmers get valuable skills training in the latest environmentally-friendly methods.

In the area of Safe and Affordable Homes, Civic Works has been making energy use improvements to some 6,000 households, rehabbing and weatherizing approximately 700 homes, and providing employment for 90% of their Green Careers program graduates. The Baltimore Energy Challenge is an educational initiative that reaches out into homes, businesses, and schools to provide information on ways to save energy. Cities for All Ages focuses on elders and helps to make their homes safer to prevent falls. EnergyReady provides appropriate weatherization for local home-owners.

Civic Works at a health fair with their Reach! Partnership school.

Do you remember Earth Day? It was a rainy day here in Baltimore, but Civic Works was on the job in Clifton Park. The group spent the day providing some colorful landscaping for homeowners in the community, and that made a great way for residents to benefit from the spring colors right on their own property. Volunteers also helped homeowners remove trash from their yards to give a chance for the greenery to thrive.