This week, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency in response to the exploding opioid overdose crisis, pledging an additional $10 million for substance use resources. While it’s not yet clear how this extra funding will be used, OSI-Baltimore welcomed the news. “It is great to see the Governor putting more funding into […]
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New coalition aims to reform Maryland’s bail system
Tuesday, February 28, 2017Fourteen community, advocacy, and academic groups will come together tomorrow to announce the formation of the Coalition for a Safe and Just Maryland, which will focus on reforming the state’s bail system. The Open Society Policy Center, a non-partisan and non-profit advocacy group that is part of Open Society Foundations, is among the coalition members and […]
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City Paper profiles OSI Fellow’s project, Soccer Without Borders
Monday, February 27, 2017This week’s Baltimore City Paper profiles the Baltimore chapter of Soccer Without Borders (SWB), an international sports program that uses soccer to engage underserved immigrant communities that was brought to Baltimore City by 2011 OSI-Baltimore Fellow, Jill Pardini. In Baltimore, SWB is an after school and summer sports program that includes “soccer, homework help, dinner […]
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Thousands Come to Annapolis Urging Officials to #FixtheGap
Friday, February 24, 2017Last night, more than 2,000 students, parents, educators, and other community members joined a rally organized by the OSI-funded Baltimore Education Coalition, demand that state and local officials fix the $190 million gap in funding for Baltimore City Public Schools. Mayor Pugh, addressing the crowd, said that on Monday, she will announce a plan to […]
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OSI Grantee Baltimore Education Coalition Leads #FixtheGap Rally for Schools
Thursday, February 23, 2017Hundreds of parents, students, and teachers from Baltimore City will head to Lawyer’s Mall in Annapolis tonight at 6:00 to urge Governor Larry Hogan, state legislators, and Mayor Catherine Pugh to address the $130 million budget shortfall for Baltimore City Public Schools–which amount to 10% of the system’s $1.3 billion budget. City Schools CEO Sonja […]
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OSI-Baltimore grantee Holistic Life Foundation on PBS News Hour
Wednesday, February 22, 2017Watch this PBS News Hour feature on OSI-Baltimore grantee Holistic Life Foundation (HLF) and their work at Patterson High School. The organization was developed as a way to give Baltimore City students the tools to reduce stress and develop peaceful conflict resolution skills through programs that teach mindfulness and meditation. Patterson High School principal, Vance […]
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Abell Foundation, OSI Explore Safe Injection Facilities in Baltimore City
Wednesday, February 22, 2017Yesterday the Abell Foundation released a report written by Johns Hopkins University researcher Susan Sherman called, “Safe Consumption Spaces: A Strategy for Baltimore City,” which explains what safe consumption spaces (SCSs) are – facilities where drugs can be consumed under medical supervision so as to reduce harm and improve outcomes for users – and discusses […]
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OSI Fellow Van Brooks Talks to WBAL About His Journey, SAFE Center
Tuesday, February 21, 2017Check out this interview with Van Brooks, a 2014 OSI-Baltimore Community Fellow on WBAL-TV. After a football injury at 16 left him paralyzed and unable to walk, Brooks struggled to regain his independence. During the years of therapy and training he decided to share his story and help as many other kids as possible. In […]
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OSI Fellow Katie Miller Organizes “Bystander Training” Featured on MSNBC
Monday, February 20, 2017Friday night, MSNBC’s “Rachel Maddow Show” talked about communities around the country that are stepping up to stand with their immigrant neighbors to defend against raids and deportations, including those taking the “Here to Stay” pledge. In particular, she cited “Bystander Training” held on Friday night in Baltimore, organized by OSI grantee CASA and OSI Community […]
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Department of Justice Seeks Public Comment on Consent Decree
Friday, February 17, 2017Representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), including Timothy Mygatt, deputy chief of the Special Litigation Section, came to OSI-Baltimore’s office yesterday to talk to local advocates and community groups about the Consent Decree, signed by the DOJ, the City of Baltimore, and the Baltimore Police Department in January. (Read OSI-Baltimore’s statement about the Consent […]
