After the unrest in Baltimore City last spring, Governor Larry Hogan called all Marylanders to join in helping to rebuild Baltimore through the Maryland Unites initiative.
At that time, the Towson University’s Office of Partnership and Outreach projects database recorded more than 85 active university-community partnerships led by our faculty, staff, and students that performed work in Baltimore City. Many of these partnerships and relationships are longstanding and span several years. We applaud the efforts of the many members of our community who have been united in serving in our City through workforce training, community building, recreation, education and health initiatives. Your work continues to matter and make a difference.
As the Maryland Unites campaign comes to a close at the end of September, we would like to remind you of upcoming opportunities for those who wish to continue to offer support to Baltimore City. With prior supervisor approval and verification, state employees may use the Maryland Unites 4-hour volunteer service leave until September 30, 2015.
We hope that our faculty, staff, and students will contribute their time, talent, and treasure to continue to support this and many other important causes that ultimately make our world better.
United Way Project Homeless Connect
Towson University volunteers are needed in the United Way’s Project Homeless Connect on Thursday, September 24th at the Baltimore Convention Center. Project Homeless Connect is a city-wide resource fair that provides on-the-spot services for thousands of members of the homeless community. Registration and viewing a brief online training video are required. Shuttle transportation will be provided for all volunteers and departs the University Union every hour starting at 8:20 a.m. until 12:20pm. All volunteers will meet in University Union room 305, one hour before their PHC shift begins for final instructions and to board the shuttle as a group. See shuttle departure and arrival times.
Supply Drive for City Recreation Centers
In partnership with Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Economic and Neighborhood Development, Towson will host a recreational center supply drive benefiting all of Baltimore City’s Recreation and Parks centers. Beginning September 28th through October 8th receptacles will be placed in locations throughout campus to collect donated items such as basketballs, markers, crayons, coloring books, board games, etc. A full list of acceptable new donation items will be shared in future T3 posts.
Giving Opportunities
Towson has several funds that support Baltimore City outreach through the arts, literacy, STEM education, and student scholarships. In addition to the four options below, which were selected for their successful impact, more ways to lend your monetary support can be found at Towson.edu/giving.
- Ailey Camp – uses dance as a means to teach high-risk middle school-aged students personal responsibility and decision making skills. Give
- France-Merrick Scholarship for Top Ten Scholars – provides scholarships to Baltimore City and Baltimore County high school students graduating in the Top 10% of their class and enrolled in Towson University through the Top 10% Program. Give
- Vernadine Elkerson Brooks Family Literacy Fund – supports outreach by the Towson University Reading Clinic . Give
- Bioscience Outreach Discretionary Fund – support K-12 STEM outreach by the Towson University Center for STEM Excellence . Give
For additional questions about any of the above community service efforts, contact Marina Cooper, mcooper@towson.edu in the Office of the President.
