In 2020, OSI-Baltimore and Baltimore City launched the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program to support residents of Baltimore’s marginalized communities, who were most impacted by COVID-19. The program used $6 million of city funds to provide $400 prepaid cards for up to 15,000 city residents to use on household needs. OSI made grants to 2 community-based organizations to identify and enroll city residents most in need of support, prioritizing underserved populations, including returning citizens, immigrant families, people experiencing homelessness, and youth and young adults between the ages of 16-24 who are out of work and out of school. As the program extended in 2021, OSI awarded additional small grants to the community-based partners in recognition of their huge contributions throughout the implementation of the initiative and during the close out period in 2021.
Banner Neighborhoods Community Corporation
$5,000 over three months to provide general support.
Bon Secours Community Works
$5,000 over three months to provide general support.
CASA
$5,000 over three months to provide general support.
Center for Urban Families
$12,000 over months to provide general support.
City of Refuge
$5,000 over three months to provide general support.
Elev8
$5,000 over three months to provide general support.
Esperanza Center
$5,000 over three months to enable Esperanza Center, a program of Associated Catholic Charities, to provide services to community members in response to COVID-19.
Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition
$5,000 over three months to provide general support.
Job Opportunities Task Force
$5,000 over three months to provide general support.
Urban Strategies
$12,000 over three months to provide general support.
