How a United Front is Changing a Community
By putting what they want and need first, we’re helping people in South Baltimore realize their dreams.
The United Way Neighborhood Zone in Brooklyn is a prime example of how a united front can transform a community.
The Brooklyn/Curtis Bay neighborhood has been historically geographically and systemically isolated, with limited access to critical services and resources.
Working with residents, community leaders, nonprofits, and businesses, we co-created a resource hub that has made a tangible and often life-changing impact on the stability and success of residents and the neighborhood.
Based in South Baltimore’s Benjamin Franklin High School, this Neighborhood Zone emerged from listening to what community members wanted and needed.
The goal: To help residents succeed—on their terms—by maximizing their innate strengths and the community assets they cherish.
Focused on multi-generational support, this Neighborhood Zone supports social, economic, and educational advancement for students, their children, their families, and neighborhood residents.
Paul was down on his luck after losing his job. Carmella wanted to graduate after her son was born, but needed someone to care for him while she was in class. Here’s their story.
Our Neighborhood Zone in Brooklyn provides a variety of services to help get people where they want to be.
“I wasn’t working a regular job, I was about to lose my house, the utilities were turned off. United Way, they had all these programs—health, nutrition, monetary things, a lady to help you with your resume, to get a job, help you get your credit right…they had like 10 or 12 programs I participated in. Up at Ben Franklin High School, they were starting the Family Center, and I said, ‘I’ll be your janitor, I’ll do whatever you need me to do.’ They needed a bus driver to bring the students and their kids to school. Turned out to be a great job.”
Paul H., Brooklyn/Curtis Bay resident
Janet dropped out of her Howard County high school after her twins were born.
Time went by, and at 20, she would soon be too old to go back to school and graduate. She intentionally chose Benjamin Franklin High School so that she could enroll her daughters in our Family Center and start classes again.
It wouldn’t be easy, though—she was working full time, and would have to juggle work, school, and caring for her family. The Family Center and school staff helped her balance her responsibilities, and Janet attended classes after work. The twins, who’d shown some developmental delays, made progress and received additional support through the Center.
Today, Janet is a proud graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School and planning for the next steps in her life, and those of her children.
Neighborhood Zone offerings
United Way Family Center
We offer free, full-day childcare for parenting students so they don’t have to choose between graduating or taking care of their children. This Family Center also provides enriching early childhood education for infants and toddlers, and multigenerational support for housing, food, and other needs for parents and their families.
United Way Community School Coordinators
Three schools in Brooklyn/Curtis Bay help break down barriers to student success by strengthening teacher, family, and peer relationships; leveraging resources; and building on student, school, and community assets.
Community Advisory Board
A team dedicated to connecting with the community and facilitating neighborhood-level collaboration
Homelessness Prevention
In partnership with the City of Refuge Baltimore, we help families with school-aged children in the 21225 and 21226 ZIP codes avoid eviction or foreclosure and help make sure children don’t have to switch schools or miss school if they move. We also connect families to resources for help with utility bills and provide tools to help them avoid a future housing crisis.
On Track 4 Success
Dropout prevention program that uses early warning indicators in the ABCs—attendance, behavior, and coursework—to put kids back on track to graduate high school.
Young Men United
Students at Benjamin Franklin High School (home base for this Neighborhood Zone) are among our first cohort of Young Men United participants. This education equity and economic advancement program is helping young men of color achieve their academic and vocational dreams.
Wellness and Social-Emotional Support
United Way professionals provide individual and group support to students, families, and neighborhood residents to help with schoolwork, mental wellness, and healthy relationships.
Healthy Food Access
Brings healthy options like fresh produce directly to the students and their families. With no nearby grocery stores, residents are often dependent on convenience stores and lack access to healthy food.
Digital Equity and Connectivity Programs
Including three neighborhood Wi-Fi hubs serving at least 4,000 residents, along with 57 in-home connections and safe spaces with seating to access free internet.
The United Way Neighborhood Zone in Brooklyn has attracted national attention and acclaim, and created meaningful, measurable, and lasting change in the community.
Based on its proven success, we expanded our Neighborhood Zone model to two other neighborhoods that struggle against economic and social barriers: Poppleton in West Baltimore, and Columbia in Howard County, where almost a third of households can’t afford the area’s high cost of living.
For more information about our Neighborhood Zone in Brooklyn, contact us.
70%
Graduation rate for parenting students in the Brooklyn Neighborhood Zone Family Center
40%
National graduation rate for parenting students
“More of our students are graduating and have hope for the future. The United Way Neighborhood Zone is a critical link in breaking the cycle of poverty.”
“The Family Center helped me so much.”
“Without it, I would’ve missed a lot of days of school trying to figure out care for my daughter. My attendance improved, and I attended BCCC for my nursing degree. I miss the Family Center teachers—we had a close bond. I still call them if I need help or guidance, and they’re there for me. It really is like a family.”
-Brianna Shaw, a member of the first graduating class of student parents enrolled in the Brooklyn Neighborhood Zone’s Family Center.
