This giving guide is compiled and updated by BHCA’s Social Action Task Force (SATF), a group that formed after the unrest in spring 2015 to encourage greater solidarity and support between Bolton Hill and and other neighborhoods in the 21217 ZIP Code. If you have edits or additions, please email them to satf@boltonhillmd.org–and thank you for your generous support of these terrific local organizations!
Opportunities to Give and Volunteer
Seniors
Linden Park Apartments Community, 301 McMechen Street
While seniors and people of color in general have suffered greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Linden Park Community has been blessed with very few issues. Life in general continues as normal, with residents able to get around and socialize with each other in the building. Bingo is very popular, and supplies are always needed, like paper bingo cards, daubers, and prizes of general use, like dish towels, detergent, and word puzzles. Deliver to Ruth Royster at the front desk the last week of the month, call 410-728-5900; activity468@habitatamerica.com. And let Ruth know if you’d ever be willing to help with someone’s rent if necessary.
Churches and Synagogues
Beth Am, 2501 Eutaw Place
Support their non-profit organization In For Of, which supports inclusive, sustainable community revitalization to make the synagogue in, for and of Reservoir Hill.
Visit: bethambaltimore.org/whoweare/neighborhood
Brown Memorial, 1316 Park Avenue
Support their literacy tutoring program for local elementary school students by volunteering; donating supplies like whiteboard whiteboard markers & cleaner, lined pads of paper, or Magic Markers; or by making a financial contribution.
Visit: browndowntown.org/tutor-program-wish-list
Corpus Christi, 110 W Lafayette Avenue
Support their food assistance programs by donating non-perishable food items. For other volunteer opportunities call Beth Steinrock at (410) 523-4161.
Visit: corpuschristibaltimore.org
Memorial Episcopal, 1407 Bolton Street
Support their Social Justice activism on racism and reconciliation, environmental stewardship, criminal justice, and health care.
Visit: memorialboltonhill.org
Community
Baltimore Heritage, 100 N. Charles Street, Suite P101
Since 1960, Baltimore Heritage has worked to preserve and promote Baltimore’s historic buildings and neighborhoods, particularly important in the city’s disinvested communities. Current projects in the 21217 zip code include restoring the comfort station in Lafayette Square Park so it can be used for events, and helping restore the only woman-owned Arabber stable building in Franklin Square. Plus, during COVID they have produced dozens of 5-minute videos about really cool places in Baltimore.
Support their work by donating money, becoming a member, or volunteering to help.
Black Women Build
BWB Baltimore is a home ownership and wealth building initiative that trains black women in carpentry, electrical, and plumbing by restoring vacant and deteriorated houses in West Baltimore. Help them complete the last three houses on Etting Street that are a part of their Phase I work by making a tax-exempt donation through their website.
Visit https://blackwomenbuild.org
Citizens Policing Project, 1546 N Fremont Avenue
Ray Kelly and the Citizen’s Policing Project continue the hard work of implementing the Consent decree to reform Baltimore Police Department, and much more. Working from St. Peter Claver Church at Upton Triangle, they focus on building our local community with their Beyond Youth Organizing program and weekend grocery distributions. Every weekend since pandemic started, CPP distributed groceries, cloth masks, and essential items to the Sandtown-Upton neighbors. Neighbors can help with distribution, donate masks to CPP’s office Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 am – 2 pm, and donate money to support CPP mission. Plus they are one of the organizations supported by the Baltimore’s Heroes Campaign.
Contact: Ray Kelly, ray.kelly@cpproject.org, office 443-718-9978; cell 443-527-1871
Fresh at the Avenue, 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue
While their regular produce stall at the Pennsylvania Avenue Market is closed, Fresh took the opportunity to start the Central West Baltimore Buying Club. Skip the grocery store and join their collective buying power to order directly from food distributors, businesses and local makers to increase affordability and reduce barriers to physical access. The Club offers a wide variety of fresh produce, including two farms in the 21217 zip code, Strength to Love and Whitelock Community, along with an ever-expanding selection of baked goods, toiletries, herbal solutions, PPE and other household goods delivered right to your door. Get more details and signup for the Buying Club here, and support the farms directly by clicking their links. For more, contact Saché Jones (sache@noboundariescoalition.com) and follow the club on Facebook.
Jubilee Baltimore, 25 East 20th Street
Jubilee Baltimore provides planning and development expertise to build safe, stable, historic, attractive, and diverse neighborhoods in Baltimore. They help residents build the kinds of neighborhoods they want. Donate here to support Baltimore’s leading nonprofit for both affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization. Your donation can earn Community Investment Tax Credits to offset your yearly Maryland tax liability, in addition to the regular charitable deductions on both Federal and State taxes. Contact Charlie Duff (charlie@jubileebaltimore.org), 410-327-7373.
Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum, 1320 Eutaw Place
Support a living history museum showcasing Baltimore’s leadership in the national Civil Rights Movement with a focus on freedom fighter Lillie Carroll Jackson and her allies.
Visit LillieCarrollJacksonMuseum.org
No Boundaries Coalition, 1505 Eutaw Place
Support Central West Baltimore’s resident-led advocacy organization and its many projects, like increasing access to healthy food, improving public safety, and ensuring police accountability. Join by attending the monthly meetings right from your home on Zoom, 2nd Tuesdays at 6 PM – get the link by signing up here.
Samaritan Community, 1407 Bolton Street
As the coronavirus pandemic brought everything to a standstill in March, the Samaritan Community kept right on going, because poverty, unemployment, housing instability, hunger, abuse, and illness don’t take a break. Support respectful assistance to individuals and families living in crisis, who wish to improve their lives. Donate to the Samaritan’s Coronavirus Response Fund, and 100% of your donation will go directly to people who have lost their jobs/income due to the crisis. Or donate non-perishable food for their pantry. Items may be dropped off in the basket in the outside breezeway between Memorial Church & the Rectory on Bolton St. Mondays or Thursdays, 11 am-12 noon. Any questions about Samaritan Community or ways to support their work, please contact Peter Dunn, (pdunn@samaritancommunity.org).
Youth Programs
Jubilee Arts, 1947 Pennsylvania Avenue
Jubilee offers community arts classes and more to residents of Sandtown-Winchester, Upton, and surrounding neighborhoods. Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, Jubilee’s work honors the neighborhood’s rich African-American arts culture and makes it thrive in our community. In partnership with MICA, and area artists, writers, and dancers, they offer programming in dance, visual arts, creative writing, and ceramics, plus a really cool Youth in Business program.
Support: Buy a gift for yourself or others at the Youth in Business shop, join a class, or sponsor a youth or family to take virtual art classes with Jubilee Arts, including providing supplies folks can pick up from Jubilee. Plus there is also a list of supplies that are always needed. Coordinate delivery with Nora Howell (nhowell@jubileeartsbaltimore.org). Their traditional November fundraiser Deck the Walls is going virtual with “Art Kits” available for purchase on their website soon.The kits will have everything needed to make your own Deck the Wall Art at home.
St. Francis Neighborhood Center, 2405 Linden Avenue
Support the City’s oldest youth enrichment center which provides classes, mentoring and tutoring for Reservoir Hill families. St. Francis has dozens of volunteer opportunities, a regularly updated Amazon Wish List with supplies for their programs, and appreciates donations to help close out the capital campaign for their renovation and expansion.
Visit: stfranciscenter.org
Wide Angle Youth Media, 2601 N. Howard Street
Support an organization that cultivates and amplifies the voices of Baltimore youth to engage audiences across generational, cultural and social divides – and that is turning 20 this year!
Visit: wideanglemedia.org/donate
The Y at Druid Hill, 1609 Druid Hill Avenue
Support a cause-driven, charitable organization to achieve their mission of developing the full potential of every individual through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. You can do this through donations, one-time activities and mentoring.
Visit: ymaryland.org/locations/druidhilly
Schools
Bolton Hill Nursery, 204 W Lanvale Street
Support Bolton Hill Nursery’s annual fund to sustain operations during the pandemic, enhance the scholarship program, and maintain and improve the gardens. Donate time to garden upkeep, or disinfectant wipes (Clorox or Lysol) to ensure Covid-free kids!
Visit: https://www.mightycause.com/story/The-Fund-For-Bhn-Covid-19-Special-Campaign
