100 Years: United For Our Futures

United Way of Central Maryland has supported this region for 100 years—through natural disasters, economic upheaval, wars, health crises, and more. We’ve always provided what’s needed, where it’s needed, working alongside our partners in the communities we serve. What’s the secret to our longevity? We’re constantly evolving to tackle ongoing and emerging needs across our region. This is not your grandparents’ United Way!

In the following story, you’ll see how we amplify the power of grassroots leaders, advance proven United Way initiatives in local neighborhoods, and build partnerships that break down systemic barriers to success.

For a century—and especially in divisive, challenging times—we remain committed to our mission to strengthen lives. The United For Our Futures centennial campaign celebrates the power and resiliency of this region, and I invite you to join us in co-creating a healthier, thriving future for Greater Baltimore.

— Franklyn Baker, President and CEO, United Way of Central Maryland

Care for Kids —and Their Parents

Family Centers offer affordable childcare where it’s needed most

When Samone Ashby was looking for childcare for her two-year-old daughter, she faced an uphill battle. “Many of the daycares have closed and it just is not easy to find care,” explains the Howard County resident and mom of three. When she was at social services, she saw a notice that United Way of Central Maryland was opening a Family Center in Columbia. She went for a tour and immediately knew it was the place for her daughter.

“It felt like family,” Ashby says. “I never feel like my daughter is just another person here. They’re so good to her and she just loves it. When you know your kid is in good hands, it takes so much of the pressure off.”

The Columbia Family Center is one of three operated by United Way of Central Maryland. Each is located in a Neighborhood Zone—United Way-designated communities that are benefiting from expanded economic, health, and educational initiatives. In addition to Columbia, there are Family Centers in Poppleton in West Baltimore, and Brooklyn in the South Baltimore/Curtis Bay area.

In Poppleton and Brooklyn, Family Centers offer high-quality, childcare at no cost for parenting students so those young people don’t need to decide between caring for their children or graduating from high school. At all three Family Centers, parents can access support for housing, food, and other needs.

The Family Center in Columbia offers the same high-quality programming for children up to pre-kindergarten. But it is tackling a somewhat different challenge than that faced in Poppleton and Brooklyn—affordability. The average cost for childcare for two kids in Howard County is about $2,000 a month. For many families, childcare is their largest expense after housing. By offering an affordable option for working families in need, United Way of Central Maryland is alleviating a significant emotional and financial pressure.

Ashby says they have found resources at the Family Center they never expected, like help with winter coats and access to essentials like diapers, wipes, and soap via the on-site pantry. She and her husband have been able to attend counseling. “They’re always there, bridging the gaps,” she explains. “The benefit is having people who care not just about your child, but you.”

More importantly, her daughter loves to go to the Family Center, where she enjoys singing, reading, and playing. She says her daughter’s personality has blossomed. “As a parent, you spend so much time away from your kids while at work, but I know she’s in great company here.”

Building Strong Futures

Young Men United breaks down barriers for high school students

It’s a sunny spring day and the classroom at Benjamin Franklin High School near Curtis Bay in South Baltimore is filling with young men. An instructor breaks them into small groups and there’s a quiet hum of conversation. Today they’re working on their résumés. This small advisory group is a portion of more than 80 students enrolled in Young Men United (YMU), an educational and economic advancement program that breaks down the barriers young men of color face on their way to college, vocational training, and successful careers and lives.

“This is an opportunity to hunker down and understand the systemic challenges young men have faced so they get the support they need to succeed,” says William Jernigan, YMU senior director for education. “I grew up in the western portion of the city, so I understand the need and the purpose behind this initiative. This work is very personal to me.”

Jernigan explains that the students at this site and YMU’s other location at Patterson High School receive comprehensive support under four pillars: mentoring and skill building, college and career exploration, academic support and planning, and workforce development and strategic internships. Students say YMU provides essential support and accountability that keep them on track.

“I was struggling, grade-wise,” says Brendon McKiver, 17, “and I was afraid of not getting into college. [YMU] helped me a lot with my grades and applying for colleges.” YMU helps students not only with tutoring and inspirational campus visits— these students recently went to a vocational school in Pennsylvania and toured Georgetown University—but with navigating things like complex FAFSA student aid forms. The program also provides supportive resources for participants’ families.

John Kee, 18, lists off some of the life skills they learn at YMU. “Organization, time management, accountability, communication, for sure, that’s a big one,” says Kee, who is looking at careers in the culinary arts or automotive engineering. “And to apply yourself.”

Elijah Kanu, 19, explains that he’s moved around much of his life and struggled with communication and friendships. Through YMU, he’s able to stay connected with peers and school. These more intangible benefits may be the most important that YMU provides — things like friendship and mental health support. “At the beginning of the school year, I got really depressed and would just leave school and distract myself in nature,” says Derick Carvagal, 18. “Being here, my anxiety has improved, and it helps that, since I have three sisters, I have brothers here.”

Carvagal aspires to study criminal justice and become part of the FBI. Like his three peers, he has applied to college—no small feat since all four state that without YMU, they’d have dropped out of school by now.

“[YMU] opens your eyes as to the possibilities of what can happen,” says Kee. “They help me see who I can be.”

To date, 74% of Young Men United high school seniors were accepted into college. Other college and career preparation programs for students of color, many of which don’t offer the holistic support of YMU, often take years to reach similar acceptance rates.

Community Amplified

Neighbors United and other community-led programs put power in the hands of the people

Emily Añez is the director of impact and housing at the nonprofit City of Refuge, and a known community organizer in Lansdowne in Baltimore County. She’s also a volunteer leader with the Neighbors United program. When residents in Lansdowne have an issue, they turn to Añez. Like when youth in the neighborhood, many of whom lack health insurance, were unable to play organized sports because they hadn’t had a physical—it was Añez who reached out to her contacts at a local hospital and got the physicals for free.

It is this sort of grassroots, resident-led advocacy that Neighbors United supports. Too often, decisions in under-resourced neighborhoods are made by people who don’t live there and who have never spoken to local leadership. This results in poorly executed programs and underutilized resources.

“Neighbors United gives people the ability to advocate for themselves, for their neighbors, for their friends, and for the community they live in,” says Añez, who received her case management certificate from United Way of Central Maryland. “People with power, people in government, often tell you what they’re going to do for you and then just do it. But I started my work here by organizing meetings, conducting surveys, asking people what issues they’re facing, and doing a lot of listening.”

Neighbors United has identified local leaders in five historically marginalized neighborhoods in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, and Howard counties. By strengthening leadership capacity, connecting people to partners, and empowering residents at the local level, systemic change is growing from the ground up. Neighbors United University builds on that success with a 30-hour training program, Neighbors United University, for local leaders who want to build their skills and network.

The Changemaker Challenge also supports grassroots change with its awards to social innovators. Sonia Su, for example, received a grant to help fund Kits to Heart. The nonprofit supports cancer patients with wellness and art kits. Su states that without Changemaker support, her program would not exist.

“The Changemaker Challenge is a chance to help develop an idea to support the community … it’s a way to get connected to others as passionate as you are and bring your idea to life.”

Grantees receive mentoring, media exposure, a stipend, and a free membership in Lonely Entrepreneur’s online learning community. Most recently, United Way of Central Maryland invested more than $500,000 to 30 individuals and groups innovating in fields including education and mental health.

Second Chances

Veterans Treatment Court helps service members stay out of jail and head back to stronger lives

William Shelton, 67, was never in trouble with the law. After being honorably discharged from the Marines in 1978, he built a life for himself. During the pandemic he was working in food delivery, but the world felt very unstable. He got a handgun to protect himself and when it was found after a routine traffic incident, Shelton found himself inside the Baltimore Detention Center for three months.

“In detention you have time to think about what you did and where your life is going and you realize real quick, this isn’t it,” Shelton remembers.

At his arraignment, the judge couldn’t understand that a man Shelton’s age with no prior record had suddenly turned up in his court. “He finally says, ‘Is he a veteran?’ and I said, ‘Yes!’” Shelton recalls. “That was the first time I’d ever been recognized as a veteran.”

As a peacetime service member, Shelton did not have access to full veterans’ benefits. Despite not being in battle, he carried scars from his time in the Marines related to racially motivated mistreatment. Once he felt seen as a veteran, years of mental health issues that had simmered below the surface of his life, came to the fore. “In the Marines I was trained as a killing machine,” says Shelton. “There’s no deprogramming or debriefing on how to become a civilian.”

Shelton was referred to the Central Maryland Regional Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), a program supported by United Way of Central Maryland. Understanding that veterans face unique challenges in civilian life—like mental health issues, or substance use—that may lead to a criminal charge, VTC provides support rather than jail time and a criminal record, setbacks that can further impinge on someone trying to move forward in life.

Shelton’s PTSD and anger management challenges became part of his case. He got the help he needed navigating the court system and eventually was connected to full veterans’ benefits. He would check in with the judge to ensure he was doing well and getting the resources he required. “What I love about this court is you’re accountable, but they care about you,” says Shelton. “You still have self-respect.”

Having successfully graduated from VTC, Shelton, a dog lover, helps train service canines for veterans and is also preparing to become a veteran mentor. “When I was incarcerated, it clicked with me that I’ve got to be hooked up to other veterans, because a veteran is going to understand what I went through and what I’m going through, no matter what it is,” he says. “Now I want to stand up for other veterans, because somebody stood up for me.”

The Central Maryland Regional Veterans Treatment Court is supported by a grant from the Maryland Judiciary’s Office of Problem-Solving Courts and many generous donors.

Support United Way of Central Maryland

DONATE: Help us build a better future for Baltimore by donating today to United Way of Central Maryland. Donors to our United For Our Futures campaign receive a “brick” in our virtual donor wall. Visit 100bricks.org.

VOLUNTEER: There are opportunities to serve the community all year through impactful volunteer experiences. Visit uwcm.org/volunteer.

CELEBRATE: Join us for a special United For Our Futures Centennial Benefit Concert | Saturday, October 11 | Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
This community-centered concert will feature Grammy and Emmy award-winning artist Common, local artists Whiskey Feathers and Elyscia Jefferson (who appeared on The Voice), and the global vocal sensation CeCe Peniston, who will be accompanied by the Baltimore City College Choir. Follow United Way of Central Maryland on social media or visit uwcm.org/100 for more on this and other anniversary events.