Baltimore Service Corps

Defining principles

Safety net, counter-cyclical, professional development through social impact entrepreneurship work, advancing equity and racial justice.

Rationale

Social justice and equity-focused safety-net with talent development for Baltimore residents.

Number of participants

Yearly, Baltimore Corps places over 2,500 adults and youth for part-time and “full-time (entry-level to executive) opportunities in service, social entrepreneurship, and the broader labor market,” (1).

Criteria for participation

Participants in the jobs placement programs Place for Purpose and Community Health Pathways must meet the U.S. Americorps work requirements. The program seeks to support High School graduates or GED recipients, 18 years old or older who hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident Aliens. Participants must pass a National Service Criminal History Check. Ability to serve 40 - 45 hours per week (2).

Pay and benefits

Varies by program and job placement. For Americorp-based roles in Place for Purpose and Community Health Pathways programs: Medical & dental insurance; supplemental nutrition (SNAP)*; child-care stipend*;around 4,500 Segal Education Award for tuition; eligibility for student loan forebearance; 8 hours a week in professional development and career services to onramp you into your next high-qaulity career opportunity. *Subject to eligibility for programs

Financing

$10.5 million in revenue 2022. U.S. Americorps and a mixture of additional public and philanthropic funds through non-profit entities. $2.3 million in 2023 from AmeriCorps for Baltimore Community Health Corps (4).

Implementation

Part-time and full-time public service employment program (Place for Purpose), internal positions in the Community Health Pathways, and a Baltimore Corps Fellowship program to promote leadership and racial equity, which is combined with grantmaking and lending to social enterprises. Fellowship program participants are provided with: race & equity training, leadership and professional skills workshops, networking events, community service projects, 40 hours per week of hands-on work experience.

Types of work

Community services, positions with equity- and justice-focused public and private organizations.

Notable features

Social and racial justice focus

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