ARTS

CHRISTOPHER FRICK | STATION NORTH ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT - WEEK 5

(This blog post has nothing to do with my CIIP placement, but it’s important to me.)

What would happen if Baltimore decided to install a complete network of bike lanes? Could we connect more people to more jobs? Could we have safer streets?

The issue of cycling in Baltimore is very dear to me. I’m a big fan of less cars and more bikes, but as the ongoing killings of cyclists in Baltimore and throughout the state suggest, 3000 pound autos are also death machines for people on bikes.

As it stands, bike lanes in Baltimore exist almost exclusively in the “white L.” Judging by my not-so-scientific observations as I ride throughout the city, people who use bike lanes tend to be white and ride relatively nice bikes. It’s almost as if using a cycletrack is synonymous with privilege.

Thanks to the advocacy group Bikemore, Baltimore has in the past few years started to improve its cycling infrastructure for white commuters. The Maryland Ave cycletrack is useful for North-South travel through white neighborhoods. The controversial Potomac St bike lane goes through Canton, a neighborhood with one of the highest concentrations of non-Hispanic white residents in the city.

The questionably implemented Downtown Bike Network includes east-west bike routes on Madison, Monument, Preston, and Biddle streets. These connect central Baltimore to the Johns Hopkins medical campus, and thus they extend somewhat into East Baltimore. There are bus/bike lanes on Pratt, Baltimore, and Lombard streets, but the casual rider might not have the guts to be riding in an unprotected bike lane in downtown traffic—competing with busses, trucks, and drivers distracted by their phones.

The major fault of Baltimore’s current bike infrastructure is that the bike lanes don’t connect in a way that is useful for the everyday Baltimore city resident. There are no bike lanes that extend into the West side, and the only East Baltimore options end shortly after the JHU medical campus. Someone unfamiliar with cycling in city traffic might feel comfortable riding down Maryland Ave, but when they arrive downtown and need to travel East or West, they either have to ride on the sidewalk, which is slow and endangers pedestrians, or they have to ride with city traffic.

I have many mixed feelings about this issue. On one hand, I see the argument for the benefit of bike infrastructure. Bike lanes could connect West and East Baltimore to downtown. Drivers might learn to be more aware of cyclists, and traffic could be calmed. Less cars on the road might help reduce the city’s carbon footprint, and it may lead to more reliable MTA service.

On the other hand, I enjoy the feeling of riding with traffic, having the awareness necessary to avoid pedestrians, distracted drivers, and the senseless road rage that is so often targeted at cyclists.

I wish there were an easy answer. I wish the term “bikelash” didn’t exist. I wish the city would invest in this issue instead of relying on federal grant money. I wish there were an equitable way to make cycling in Baltimore a viable transportation option for more people. Most of all, I wish that issues of race and geography could be incorporated into the mainstream conversations on cycling in Baltimore.

NAADIYA HUTCHINSON | 901 ARTS - WEEK 5

#BaltimoreDataDay

Despite continuous complaints that the modern generation lacks all communication and interpersonal skills, the push continues on to rely heavily on numbers as a way of understanding our communities. Since I’ve taken multiple math and coding classes, I understand the importance of data, though I believe that much of the research and data that is being collected could easily be answered by talking to the community. There are many that would likely disagree though, like the representative from the Baltimore City Police Department that said during the conference that the Police Department could not be held accountable until they had data. This statement came as a shock to me because the Police Department enforces the law, holding the community accountable to their actions, yet themselves cannot be held accountable. It also came as a shock to me, because what was life like before data? The era of data for everything is now, but previously, organizations weren’t operating with data servers, doing regression analysis and tracking location coordinates, so what did they do then? It could possibly be that organizations were never asked to be held accountable until now, which is why all of the problems of today are seen. But, constitutions and bills where created in order to set up departments and legislation that would hold people accountable, and those failed us, which is why we turned to data. Does switching to data address the root cause of why our accountability measures failed us? I think not, because I think the main problem is with WHO is in control of these departments and HOW the legislation was written. For people working in their own self-interest, aren’t the best to measure the success of a community program. So to me, data is important, but equal representation is more important. Data is just numbers, and people are so much more than the algorithm that their address or income is put into.

JIMMY LI | JUBILEE ARTS - WEEK 5

OSIRIS MANCERA | THE GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY CENTER OF BALTIMORE AND CENTRAL MARYLAND (GLCCB) - WEEK 5

I work at an LGBTQ community center... but the topic I wanted to talk about this week was FOOD! Yes, food. Of course I know about intersectionality and the fact that queer people eat too (and that queer people are at a disadvantage when it comes to food security, as are people of color, people that are differently-abled, women, and of a low socioeconomic status) but that's not where I'm getting at. I'm getting at the essence of food and its crucial and foundational role in the Baltimore community. I've always been a foodie. Of course in my childhood that meant delicately eating finger sandwiches and marveling at cereal bowls but now it's more of a "conscious consumerism" type of deal. Very millennial, I know. But I think that there's merit in being mindful of what we put into our bodies and the impact we have on this planet. That being said, I'm always seeking to know more and support restaurants and other establishments that are women/queer/black (and all of the very many other rainbow identities)-owned, that are environmentally-conscious, political, community-oriented, and just plain delicious. I'm always one to support a good vegan drumstick and cinnamon bun. That's Land of Kush and Grind House, respectively. But back to the main discussion. This week I learned a bit more extensively about the centrality of food within marginalized communities. The difference between focus on food preparation and food presentation (which impacts architecture especially when dealing with open and closed kitchens), ingredients and the meaning behind "authenticity," food blogging and its role in representing various cultures, as well as the process of and inspiration behind opening a restaurant (I'm thinking of Lane Harlan in opening Clavel, a Mexican Add to dictionary and taqueria that I love very much). This all began when I started a project to create a resource list of women-owned businesses in Baltimore (similar to the LGBTQ-owned and inclusive map project) which was sparked by a town hall meeting at the GLCCB where people voiced the sincere lack of knowledge of women-centered spaces in Baltimore. With projects like these, you have to be especially careful when researching because the worst possible thing you could do is be mindless and add a spot that is in fact not inclusive to certain groups of people which thereby alienates them further. I definitely didn't want that and I am so glad that mindfulness is at the forefront of this week. Everyone can use a little guidance and introspection. And I'm hoping that this project will be especially useful to our community, I guess we'll see.

BLESSING OGUNYEMI | EUBIE BLAKE CULTURAL CENTER - WEEK 5

This week during our bites session there was a question posed to us regarding how our goals had changed since starting our internships. This was something I hadn’t really thought of.

Before the internship began, I hadn't known what to expect. I'd known I would be assisting with a gifted and talented music program but I hadn't been sure of what else I would be doing. I decided to go in ready to do anything and help out in whatever way needed. My goals consisted of giving support wherever needed, doing a great job administratively and improving my organizations skills, learning more about how a non-profit was organized and run, and also making personal connections with those I would work with.

For a majority of the time during the preparation and early parts of the music program, I had been in more of an administrative position. However, I was soon introduced to a role that involved more teaching as I would chose a "lyric" of the day, discuss it with the students, and encourage them to think of it and apply it throughout the day.

I was happy that I got a chance to do something like that and thought my "teaching role" would go no further after all, we had three very talented music instructors. However, this week I got a chance to work with the students on improvisation. I led mini sessions where I would play something on my guitar and have them write some lyrics down for a bit. Afterwards we would go around and have them sing or rap what they had written down. After this, they improvised new lyrics or harmonies that went along with the guitar sounds. These sessions worked on their improvisation skills and challenged them in different ways than their normal class sessions did.

Coming back to the question of how my goals have changed since starting the internship, I believe these learning experiences have helped my goals evolve. I have now added teaching and helping students develop their improvisation skills to my list of goals in addition to continuously being open to new learning opportunities. I know, going forward, I’ll be able to use my skills to help the students develop theirs but most importantly, I’ll be given the opportunity to learn from those around me.

JONATHAN SILVEIRA | WIDE ANGLE YOUTH MEDIA - WEEK 5

CRIMINAL JUSTICE & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

ANTHONY BOUTROS | FREESTATE JUSTICE - WEEK 5

CLARISSA CHEN | MADE IN BALTIMORE, OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY - WEEK 5

Things are busier than ever with Made in Baltimore. We’re gearing up for our launch party on the 20th next week, and each day seems like a list of tasks, half related to governmental purchasing procedure and the other half scattered pieces -- phone calls, emails, designs, forms.

This all sounds pretty mundane, and note that this is the case. But having this beat to run by is one that I prefer. I feel like I understand what’s going on. In a way, I feel more involved than I ever have been before, and I imagine all the connections across the city that are made with each point of contact, where the 300+ people coming to this party are all coming from.

All at the same time, I’m noticing the slow and consuming stress that is building for Andy as the date of this launch party approaches. I thought about how being your own boss must be a liberating feeling, but also consider what his operation as a one-man show must be like in every other season except for the summer, as another Hopkins student has been working part-time with him along with myself. In thinking of goals, success, whatever deliverables this summer might result it, I just hope I can make his life a little easier by taking some weight off his shoulders, and sustain that feeling even after CIIP ends.

KELSEY KO | CITY HALL, COUNCILMAN ZEKE COHEN - WEEK 5

I would say that an important aspect of my Hopkins identity is that I’m a part of our student newspaper, The JHU News-Letter. I’ve spent countless hours and sleepless nights at the Gatehouse, our tiny office on the corner of North Charles and Art Museum Drive. We lay out pages, edit, and report on everything from Remington’s gentrification to Roland Park’s history of racial exclusion.

I wanted to do CIIP this summer because I hoped to make a difference in Baltimore, the city I love to write about. And I really do believe I’m making that difference. What I didn’t expect was that I would learn so much about media and journalism, and how it plays into Baltimore’s social justice and political scene.

On Sunday, I helped out our team in a community cleanup that District 1 had organized along with District 13. As over 300 people picked up litter and trash in their neighborhoods, I helped paint the mural in front of the Patterson Park Library. Looking up, I saw Zeke and my site supervisor Mike on their phones, trying to rally the press to cover the event.

I got up briefly to livestream the event and chat with Zeke.

“Why does the media cover violence and crime in our city, but they don’t show up to events like this where Baltimore residents are working together towards bettering the community?” Zeke asked me.

Eventually, reporters did show up to cover the event. Zeke reiterated to them again that yes, there is still work to be done in Baltimore, but there are also a lot of people who come together and strive every day to make this city a little bit better.

Zeke’s question was rhetorical, but coupled with Mark Steiner’s mid-point presentation, I’ve started to think about what my role as a student reporter is. It seems to me that everywhere I look, so much of the media and journalism today is sensational and corporatized. Clickbait is the status quo because more views means more money. What I’ve always liked about The News-Letter is that we don’t get paid to do our job. We write because we think it’s important to codify and relay what has happened at Hopkins and in Baltimore.

I hope that in the future, the media continues to shine the spotlight on the real work that people are doing in Baltimore City. I know it’s important to hit upon the hard-hitting issues — the opioid crisis, crime, all of that. The public must know about it. But I’m realizing that news coverage on the amazing things that Baltimoreans do for the city is also invaluable.

The nonprofits that touch the lives of workers, students, and families in small ways every day. The teachers who work tirelessly within an education system that does not have enough. The Baltimore City councilmembers who organize a community cleanup that unites seemingly disparate communities. These are Baltimore’s unsung heroes. In these times of darkness and uncertainty, I hope we remember to remember them.

INDU RADHAKRISHNAN | YOUTHWORKS, MAYOR'S OFFICE OF EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT - WEEK 5

JESSA WAIS | OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER - WEEK 5

EDUCATION

JOHNATHON COOK | HEBAC YO! BALTIMORE - WEEK 5

SAM IGO | LIBERTY ELEMENTARY & REC - WEEK 5

It's hard to reflect on the week when the news of yesterday is still so new. One of the reasons I am so passionate about public policy is improving lives -- making sure everyone can enjoy them in a way that's equal and less about minimizing suffering and more about genuinely improving quality.

Over the past year or two, I have spent a more than ample amount of time thinking about my future and how I hope to achieve real change, and I have never considered a time where I wouldn't (eventually) find a job after graduation or go to grad school or find a career I loved.

One thing I hadn't given enough thought to was the fragility of the lives I wanted to support in my work. This week, the Hopkins community lost someone just one year younger than me, with one of the brightest futures ahead of her, and none of it makes any sense, for a young, bright life like Abby's to be taken. Suddenly, the whole world comes into harsh focus with the realization that tragedy does not choose wisely or mercifully. We take our time in life thinking that every day is guaranteed, that the dream we didn't accomplish now will have time to be achieved in the future. Yet when people tell you to live every day like it's your last, it's a cliche. But it's a cliche because it's true.

I have taken time over the past two days to tell the important people in my life how much I love them, and to think about the way I've conducted myself over the past three years at Hopkins -- viewing my undergraduate career as the mandatory four years I must wait out until I can start changing the world. But that is a dangerous, naive way to think. My job this summer has been a step in the right direction, of learning where to move forward and take action. But I know how easy it would have been for me to slip back into my Hopkins mindset in the fall, focusing heavily on classes and job applications and waiting another 10 months before taking charge of my life and the impact I want to have.

I cannot fathom the idea of doing that anymore. People are glass, from the children at work to my principal to my boyfriend and my mother, and me. And the idea of wasting any time now seems like a sin.

You will be so missed dearly, Abby.

SIMON JACKSON-FORSBERG | THE INTERSECTION - WEEK 5

SOYUN KIM | CODE IN THE SCHOOLS - WEEK 5

TENA SPENCER | THREAD - WEEK 5

This week unfortunately seemed to go on longer than the rest. Without site visits, I was in the office and on my laptop all day. Although I missed the face-to-face interactions with employers and seeing our students do so well in their summer jobs, I was definitely thrown in to the hustle of the office and was reminded how vital a role the interns are to the day to day functioning of Thread.

We revisited the summer master tracker - the Excel spreadsheet that has all the information about students relating to summer jobs and summer schools that not only the Thread staff would want to know, but possibly board members and donors as well. We all had to regroup and ensure the clarity and accuracy of the tracker so it can best be used by anyone. That meeting reminded of my very first meeting of the summer when the tracker existed, but was not as comprehensive or even used since neither summer jobs or school has started.

The meeting was as necessary as ever, especially as we hit the mid-point of the summer. So, instead of going on site visits, it was nice and also crucial to revisit the tasks that I began the summer with - calling and email employers and planning for the weeks ahead while providing general damage control support to our students.

ANGAD UPPAL | THREAD - WEEK 5

This week was the toughest for me, personally. The week was filled with a lot of mistakes and a giant learning curve. After our site visits last week, I had to put together a report of how our students were doing and what employers were saying about our students in the workplace. Unfortunately, I put students ‘full names in the document, which I learned is not a good because it’s confidential, even within the organization. In addition, I also did some tasks on excel that ended up creating more work for a couple of my co-workers. Towards the end of the week, I started to feel discouraged. Since I let it affect me, I had to talked to my boss, Neekta about it. Neekta was so supportive through the whole thing and reassured me that not only am I helping, but that it is ok to make mistakes. If I don’t make mistakes, then I will never learn. She reassured me that she doesn’t expect me to be perfect, and that I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. Having her say that to me was so supportive, amazing, and exactly what I needed when I felt discouraged. I couldn’t imagine having a better, more accepting, and supportive work environment than the one I have at Thread and I consider myself truly blessed. Our Friday finished up with a Professional Development workshop hosted by , where we talked about creativity and why being creative is so important. We did some exercises about creatively drawing. We then did an activity where we split up on different sides of the room based on certain personality traits we have. We talked about which personalities we do and do not like to work with. After that the students were split into four teams. I also participated in this exercise. We were given a client who wanted us to build a bridge out of office supplies. The specifications we were given were 1) Pedestrian bridge, bikes could go on it 2) Make it beautiful and flashy 3) It stretches from Locus Point to Fells Point. In the end, myself and a particular student worked on the bridge surface and outline. We made it look like a boat since it would be over the inner harbor. We also had different lookout points on the bridge, which is very different from most bridges we see in the world. The two other students on our team worked on the base and support structure. At first, one student was working hard, while the other was sitting back. Eventually, the student who was being unproductive was challenged by the student who was working hard. This made the former student took it upon himself to prove the other one wrong. He worked so hard on the support system and became so focused, that it came out really well. This was an interesting experience for me. It was a rare moment in which competition between students ended up working because it made them very productive.

EILEEN YU | MERIT - WEEK 5

This past week, the students started getting their first A’s on their assignments! I am so incredibly excited for them! At the start of the program, I told them that each day, I would write the names of those who earned a 90 or higher on their homework on the board at the front. The board stayed empty for the first week. Each day, the students would ask me what the average, highest, and lowest scores were. I had been shocked when last week, they each said they wanted to go to Ivy League schools. With many of them not knowing how to write in complete sentences and nearly all lacking basic grammar skills, I felt almost defeated already. When I told them about my experiences at Hopkins—how many hours I had to study each day, the amount of homework, the expectations of our professors—they were astounded. They had never even imagined such a level of academic rigor could exist. However, over the last week, I saw that thought they were clearly disadvantaged by the city’s awful education system, their level of motivation perfectly matched that of the most successful students I have met at Hopkins. One of the most memorable moments from the summer so far was when I walked up to the board and wrote the names of five of my students who had done great on their homework. Before I could say a word, the entire class burst out in applause. Their motivation and investment in their educations and futures despite all the factors in play against them is so extraordinary!

FOOD ACCESS & THE ENVIRONMENT

LUCAS DUFFY | BY PEACEFUL MEANS - WEEK 5

CODY FALTA | URBAN RESOURCES INITIATIVE (URI) / BALTIMORE OUTDOOR REC, MIDDLE BRANCH - WEEK 5

My favorite group returned for another canoeing program this week. The last time they came they managed to grasp paddling really quickly and were all very supportive and positive with each other so we got to do a lot of fun things with them like racing and exploring pretty far out. Their group had shuffled around a little bit, so there were some new faces. One of them was a kid named Yedidya, who asked me to be the second member of his boat.
He was around 8 but spoke in clear, frank sentences with the tone and complexity of a tired old man. He’d say “I need your sunscreen because I have very pale complexion,” and then in the same breath give me instructions on how much faster I should be paddling to get us to the front of the group.
Other than the regular programs, I made an annual report infographic for outdoor recreation, with information about all of the programs and little icons and pictures.

CLAIRE GRAY | TREE BALTIMORE - WEEK 5

RACHEL KRIEGER | BOONE STREET FARM - WEEK 5

This week, no unifying theme presented itself to tie up my experiences into a neat package. So instead I’ll present some snapshots of things I’ve seen, for you to find some semblance of meaning in.

As I walked to work Monday morning, I saw a dad teaching his tiny daughter how to cross the street – it was the cutest thing EVER. On the next block, I watched a shirtless kid twerking on his friend’s doorstep, stopping in embarrassment when they saw me.

On Tuesday afternoon a 9-year-old girl named Cirby showed up at the farm and partly helped, mostly terrorized us while we attempted to fill bags with dried herbs. She was a member of the farm’s garden club and the staff all took it for granted that part of their role was to be an unofficial daycare service for neighborhood kids like her, even taking her to get a free slurpee at 7-Eleven. As overwhelming as she was, I liked her instant familiarity with everybody, because all her hair-pulling and throwing herself on people somehow made it feel like she trusted us.

Wednesday, I went to a farmer’s market to do market research for Boone Street and a young farmer fellow made a point to introduce himself to me. I tell you, never doubt the seductive power of a good pair of overalls!

Thursday morning, the police were outside my building. Over the course of the day, we learned of the tragedy that had occurred there, where a fellow student’s body had been found. Part of me couldn’t believe that something like that could happen in a safe place like my home, which feels like it’s a world away from the much rougher neighborhood that I work in. That day I stopped listening to my favorite true-crime podcast and took a different route to the bus stop.

Friday, life went on.

OMAR LLOYD | BALTIMORE GREEN SPACE - WEEK 5

This week was filled with more learning experiences and a diverse set of tasks and objectives to complete, as well as some self reflection about the goals that I set for myself for this internship. The tasks completed this week included investigating how Baltimore Green Space can convince the city to prioritize forest care and preservation, reviewing a strategic plan for BGS that lays out a plan for growth over the next three years, helping the Duncan Street Garden in the Charm City Garden competition, and then continuing to visit community-managed open spaces to update our database.
I was instructed to look at plans that Baltimore City has for taking action on climate, sustainability, and disaster preparedness and see how their goals for these areas align or intersect with our goals on forest care and preservation. After going through four of the City's plans, overall it seem slike they're focused on improving greenery in the city, but more so on sustainable development of buildings, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and resource conservation (which all great things to work towards, they just don't directly coincide with forest preservation). For their strategic plan, BGS worked with an external company in order to plan out a course of action to take in order to grow and improve the organization, including establishing new committees, hiring new staff, settling down on a set of goals and visions for the organizations, and including plans for more vacation and bonding time between employees. And also, a few weeks ago I put in an application for the garden in order for it to be judged (on Mr. Sharpe's behalf of course) based on how well the garden is managed and what the purpose and outreach of the garden is; they liked the garden so much that one of the judges wanted to come back and volunteer!

JASMINE MALHI | JOY WELLNESS CENTER - WEEK 5

Still can’t believe we are over halfway through!
However, I definitely feel like I am integrated into the community of the clinic! The entire staff smiles at me, trusts me with projects and tasks, and even uses some of my ideas for fun events!
Earlier this week, a patient called asking for me. Another one of the volunteers, a little taken aback said, “This is a call for you, Jasmine.” I was a little surprised. Was I so much a part of the wellness center now that patients would call asking for me? The patient was responding to my call to book a massage appointment. I sat with him, Mr. T, at acupuncture circle earlier that week and see him at yoga every week as well. The next day, after his morning massage and nighttime yoga, he smiled at me and thanked me for the appointment. Seeing patients such as Mr. T walk into his massage with their mouth in a hard line, brows furrowed, shoulders tense, and walk out with noticeable relief in their shoulders shows me the important of wellness and self-care. Often, these practices are discredited in medicine, but I think they are an important part of medical care. This summer has truly emphasized that for me.
One of my goals for the summer was to make strong connections with some of the patients. With my frequent phone calls, participation in the classes, leading some of the cooking demos, and presence at the front desk, I have really been able to do that. Ready to do more in the coming weeks!

HEALTHCARE & HEALTH POLICY

ANUSHA GOLLAPALLI | SHEPHERD'S CLINIC - WEEK 5

This week went by so fast! I can’t believe we only have three weeks left in our internships. I would be devastated if I hadn’t already signed up to volunteer with the clinic throughout the school year – they can’t get rid of me that quickly! :)

Being at the clinic 5 days a week every week has been absolutely illuminating, and I feel like I’ve gotten a broader understanding of the clinic than I would have if I had just volunteered there once a week. I get to see the everyday functions on a much closer level. There are also a lot of patients that I get to meet and converse with on a regular basis. One patient in particular calls me “Anu”, and always hangs out by the front desk for 30 minutes after, just talking to the staff up front and getting to know us better. It’s a gift to interact with our patients this way, and it’s definitely something that doesn’t happen enough at other facilities.

I’ve definitely been using this internship to think a lot about what I’d like to do in the future with my own career. I’ve realized that working in a large hospital setting might not be one that I love – there’s not a sense of consistency that I crave. I think I’d be better off serving a community in a clinic that is familiar and grounded. I’d love to work in a place like Shepherd’s, one with such a close-knit group of people. Hopefully I’ll be able to figure this out when the time comes.

AMI MANGE | BALTIMORE HARM REDUCTION COALITION - WEEK 5

This week I had the opportunity to observe and learn about the different aspects of workings of BHRC as an organization. In addition to doing more trainings with a diverse group of individuals (which is always a fun, new experience), I helped out with editing grant applications, helped make informational cards for BHRC to give out at trainings, and worked on a press release about Safe Consumption Spaces. The document that I made for the press release used text from very well-written reports, and working on the project itself made me a more knowledgeable person about this rising issue. Every opportunity, every task, and every assignment here is a learning opportunity. I also got to weigh in on restructuring the Advisory Board of BHRC, and in doing so I met some incredible members of the organization, from so many different backgrounds and areas of expertise. It gave me a framework to use to further the work of the Hopkins undergrad harm reduction chapter, Hopkins Undergraduates for Harm Reduction. I am grateful to have been given a variety of tasks, since they have made me more capable of taking on a multitude of roles for an organization. One disappointing thing about this week was that I found out that we would no longer be going to Annapolis to sit in on the meeting with delegates to talk about treatments for substance use disorder. Some of the BHRC board members and I were scheduled to attend it, but some members felt that it wouldn't be a very productive experience since we wouldn't get to add to the agenda. I disagreed, because sitting in and observing and listening to the conversation would be a great experience, and would help us prepare for the meeting where we contribute to the agenda. My site supervisor agreed with me. Oh well, there's always next time. On a brighter note, I get to attend a fentanyl task force meeting next week, in addition to several trainings and tabling at Artscape. Next week will be very busy, bit I can't wait!

EILLEN MARTINEZ | THE ESPERANZA CENTER - WEEK 5

YAMINI PATIBANDLA | CHARM CITY CARE CONNECTION - WEEK 5

CORINE PEIFER | CHASE BREXTON LGBT RESOURCE CENTER- WEEK 5

This week, a transgender woman (seemingly under the influence) came into the office. After having a rough time in a detention center, she was looking for some resources. She specifically requested individual housing, which is a hard to help with. The best we can do is recommend transition housing, which commonly has waitlists. There were other resources that we pulled up for her, yet she simply dismissed them. It was hard to see her reject services that she could benefit from, especially the ones regarding behavioral health. In the end, she left with a few resources, but not all that she needed. My supervisor then discussed how there are many underground cultures and communities in the city that many use to obtain their means, commonly trusting friends over professionals. At first, I was taken aback, but the more I thought about it, who am I to judge how one lives and survives the day? Who is to say that I would not be doing the same if I were in her position?
Even though I know we did all we could for her, I still felt like I could have done more. Maybe that’s why when one of our regular patients came up to me and said, “you are one of the good ones. We need more people like you,” it really meant a lot, especially since she is known to be relatively standoffish. She reminded me why I was here and that there are various forms of “success.” Instead of directly failing people, maybe we give them just what they need. As a Hopkins student, I find it difficult to grasp this concept that strays from my personal definition of true “success,” yet I plan on using it to internally evaluative my efforts and contributions until the end of my placement. Who knew “success” would be so difficult to define? Definitely not me!

NAVYA RAVOORI | STAR TRACK - WEEK 5

Just as I thought I was beginning to understand the scope of my work, I was challenged and learned both in an intellectual manner and about my role as an intern. This week we had a Transgender Health training that offered me new information in what care should look like but also gave me the chance to learn more about the lived experiences of trans staff members. It truly helped me understand how beautiful it is that Star Track as an organization is made up of the population it also aims to serve. To have all of the staff members in one room sharing their experiences as an advocate, a provider and a member of the community truly showcased how rich and creative the staff is. This pushed me to conceptually think about service and what the qualities we look for in those that serve us. While the week started off with me growing and learning in more of a intellectual way, later in the week I was challenged to grow as an intern. As Week 5 served as a midpoint week, my supervisor and I went through our weekly check-ins but this time went a little more in depth about what I want the course of my internship to look like. We talked about how important it is to be mindful of space but also to carve out my own space. In the last few weeks, I have been so focused on what I can do for others that sometimes I forgot about what I wanted to do. During the check-in, it became more clear that these were goals I should also be focusing on during my time at Star Track. The rest of the week shaped into something amazing and some of my best and favorite time at Star Track. While I was working with the staff, I was also focusing on projects that I was extremely interested in and had the liberty to put my own creative spin on it. Whether it was in health education or in health communication, it was a chance to make it my own while still within the framework of Star Track. I look forward to these next few weeks with an amazing staff while working within an organization that has taught me so much all while still pushing myself as an intern.

ALLY ROGERS | CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH - WEEK 5

HOMELESSNESS / POVERTY / HOME IMPROVEMENT

LEENA AURORA | 29TH STREET COMMUNITY CENTER - WEEK 5

EVAN DRUKKER-SCHARDL | UNITED WORKERS - WEEK 5

Last weekend, I spent an hour or so talking to my parents on FaceTime, as I do most Sunday afternoons. They asked about my week. I told them a little bit about my United Workers work—making phone calls, doing research, petitioning at farmers’ markets, grocery stores, and some bus stops in West Baltimore—

“You went to West Baltimore!?” by father interjected.

“Yeah,” I responded slowly. There was an awkward pause.

My mother hazarded a question. “Is that…safe?” I sighed and ran through my usual reassurances. It’s the middle of the day; I’m with other people; I’m literally there to make friends with people and listen to them; I live in Baltimore, not Baghdad, for God’s sake. My parents were still wary.

“Well, just be safe,” my father said, resigning himself to the fact that his stubborn Socialist of a son wasn’t going to restrict his movements to either north or south. The conversation moved on to more amicable topics: Donald Trump, the ducks that visit my mother’s back yard, and assurances that I was, in fact, eating.

My parents’ reactions worry me for a couple reasons. First, they fall victim to the same prejudices and fear that so many in and out of the city believe to be true. The national media spread an image of a Baltimore defined by violence, drugs, and poverty. That narrative is alive and well in Baltimore City, too—I’ve talked to people from places like Canton who hold little but fear of the city’s poorer and almost invariably blacker neighborhoods. If there’s any lesson I’ve crystalized recently, it is that that narrative otherizes entire neighborhoods and their inhabitants. It equates black with poor and poor with worthless, and that means that those with money and power feel no need to pay attention to—much less go to or invest in—Baltimore’s most vulnerable communities.

Second, there’s a kernel of truth in the popcorn bag of stereotypes, prejudice, and fear. One man at the Mondawmin bus station told me, “Bernie Sanders is right. Look at this city and all these vacant houses—how can the richest nation in the world allow our communities to look like third world countries?” Every house on the block across the street from him is abandoned, and most have the infamous orange and white “X” on the front. One woman described her block in East Baltimore-Midway as “The Mall of America for drugs.” Mr. Charles, a friend of United Workers in East Baltimore, told me a couple weeks ago about a shooting that happened at the end of his block in which a twenty-something-year-old young man died.

I’m not going to stop going east or west out of fear and prejudice. But I am scared. I’m scared for Baltimore City, and I’m scared because I know that change can’t come fast enough to save people from the violent plague of poverty and racism that emanates from the city’s establishments. And I suppose that’s why I can’t possibly stop going east and west. I have to do my small part to tear down the barriers of fear that divide us and build a new society in the vacant lots of the old.

CHIJIOKE ORANYE | LIVING CLASSROOMS, PATTERSON PARK - WEEK 5

LAUREN RALPH | THE FRANCISCAN CENTER - WEEK 5

Little victories have got to be my favorite kind of victories. There’s something extra special about the serendipity and ease of an unplanned but phenomenal moment. Lucky for me, life just seems to be filled with little victories lately.
My favorite of the week came to me on my walk home from work on Thursday. My parents raised me to have a strong suspicion of strangers (especially men) and walking alone was never something I felt comfortable with. However, it was a goal of mine to really become a part of Baltimore, and not just Uber/JHMI myself from one tourist spot to another. As I’ve begun to walk instead of taking the bus, I’ve felt much more connected to the community I work with. I like to challenge myself to say “good morning” to at least three people along the way. While I struggled with catcalling in the first couple weeks of walking, I noticed that no one had said anything to me this week. I wondered if it was in my head or if people really were beginning to see me as someone in their neighborhood.
I was contemplating this on Thursday afternoon when I noticed a man I had worked with at the Franciscan Center waiting for the bus with a few of his friends. Although I am historically terrible with names, I had helped this man open a mailbox at the Center (which requires an extensive amount of paperwork) and his name instantly popped into my mind. Without hesitation, I called out hello to him by name, and, much to my surprise, he responded “hey Miss Lauren! How was work today?” The little victories are most definitely the best.

RUMSHA SALMAN | UNITED WAY OF MARYLAND, PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT - WEEK 5

This week, I went to a Continuum of Care board meeting with my supervisor. I’ve been learning a lot about the CoC during my internship, and it was really interesting to see it work from a leadership perspective. The CoC program was designed to prevent and end homelessness by leading collaboration between all community stakeholders. The Journey Home is Baltimore’s 10-year plan to make homelessness rare and brief, and the CoC council works to oversee the plan’s objectives. It is made up of a strong coalition that includes service providers, advocates from non-profits and government agencies. My supervisor was invited to give a short presentation about Project Homeless Connect because the Journey Home has collaborated with UWM for many years.

During the meeting, I recognized some familiar faces from PHC’s planning meetings and other members of community organizations that I’ve been exposed to during my internship. There was also a presentation from Behavioral Health System about overdose prevention in programs for homelessness, and they also gave a short naloxone training. One of my goals this summer was to go to a naloxone training, so I’m really happy to have checked that off the list. Throughout the meeting, the chairs of the different councils encouraged community members to join a council they’re interested in and to contribute in small ways. I’m really interested in going to more meetings, so I’m going to be looking into the different councils and seeing where advocates can play a role. This summer has exposed me to some of the most caring and passionate people in Baltimore city, and I’m feeling very inspired as I continue working towards PHC.

CORINA ZISMAN | MARTHA'S PLACE - WEEK 5

Giving advice is scary. While I constantly am thinking of the advice I could give, it's horrifying to open your mouth, and tell someone how they should proceed. I know I have google to assist me, and that honestly the questions residents ask me are never overwhelmingly difficult situations, however that doesn't stop me from seriously doubting myself every time a resident seeks advice.

At the beginning of my internship, I decided that my goal was to have at least one resident like me enough to want to chat with me. While every resident has been lovely and kind and talkative, most ask to speak with my boss when looking for guidance. It's understandable, she has a doctorate, is the program director, and has exponentially more life experience than I do. It doesn't upset me that most of that responsibility is passed along to her.

Wednesday, when a resident came to check in, I was so ecstatic that she came just to talk to me, and felt touched that she wanted my advice. We sat and had an extended conversation about her roommate challenges and other daily concerns. Even though I am /very/ familiar with roommate issues, as that isn't such a foreign topic to a college student, it still took some courage to actually provide ideas to her about how she could proceed. I didn't expect the hesitation I had in giving her advice, however worried for the rest of the day that I'd given the wrong suggestions. It took more courage than I thought to give advice, but I hope that my advice was helpful to my resident, and I hope that I have future opportunities to build confidence in providing advice that is within my ability to give.

TALIAH WEST | YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SOCIETY (YES) - WEEK 5

NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT

NINA KRAUSS | FUSION PARTNERSHIPS, INC. - WEEK 5

At CIIP orientation we were told that in Baltimore, a beverage consisting of half ice tea and half lemonade is called “half and half.” This left me with a burning question that, this week, I finally posed to everyone from Fusion within earshot-
“Ok, so if half lemonade and half iced tea is called “half and half” then what do
you call the half cream they put in coffee?”
A few voices say in unison,“Half and half.”
I sit frozen, my eyes wide and my hands outstretched in a gesture of confusion. I reach the conclusion that this is not fully illogical and that context clues would generally allow this linguistic overlap to persist without issue. Ally, Fusion’s Project Coordinator, then points out that this rabbit hole of the Baltimorean vernacular goes even further. She explains that there also is a way to order crabs that is half Maryland crab, half cream of crab-
“So, you could order coffee, dinner, and a drink and say I’d like half and half,
half and half, and half and half.”
I laugh as my brain quietly explodes. I am then informed that the half and half crab dish can also be called a “dirty crab.”
I’ve found no shortage of Baltimoreans who are willing to answer questions about the city. Just this past week I’ve heard stories about the transition from Procter and Gamble to Under Armor, the smell of McCormick spice, and how the Battle of Baltimore wasn’t fought so Thames Street could be pronounced the British way. I’ve heard candid replies about gentrification taking over parts of the city- that no one in Eager Park wants anything to do with you unless you make six figures and that developers are continually steamrolling communities. Overall, I’ve learned that Baltimore is a city with a complex past, present, and future and that you can hear many different perspectives about Charm City if you just ask and listen.

VICTORIA LI | BALTIMORE CORPS - WEEK 5

This week is the week of Advanced Leadership Seminars at Washington College at Chestertown with Maryland Leadership Workshop. Four Baltimore Corps team members drove to the Eastern Shore on Sunday afternoon to kick off the program. As a part of our visit we introduced Baltimore Corps and our work, framed the conversation around Baltimore and equity, and presented on four issues within Baltimore. Among the 20 students of the program, two were from Baltimore or around Baltimore. Every day different members of the Baltimore Corps team would make a conference call to the students of the summer program and answer any questions they may have about their project. My highlight of the week is one of the icebreaker activities that one of the Baltimore Corps staff members conducted at the summer program. Students, the young staff member of the summer program and Baltimore Corps staff members all sat in a large circle and one of the staff members read Dr. Seuss’ Sneetches, which is a children’s book centered on marginalization and discrimination. After Sneetches, we went around the circle answering questions. Every single person’s answer is absolute right, and it is the role of the others to simply listen and accept and support what the others answer in response to the questions. Questions range from “what is your favorite animal”, to “what is your biggest fear about going to college”, to “if beauty were a sound, what would it be”. Seeing the high school students listen, lean in and care for one another as they begin to learn more about one another was a great moment for me to see, become a part of, and to treasure.

DANIELA PEREZ-ROLDAN | STRONG CITY BALTIMORE, HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOOD - WEEK 5

SIMONE ROBBENNOLT | INVESTED IMPACT - WEEK 5

Today, through Invested Impact, I was able to attend Baltimore Data Day. Not only was this event helpful towards enriching my internship experience, but it was great for me to be exposed to the conversations as an Applied Math and Statistics major. I want to hopefully use mathematics and data to support activists efforts in creating a more equal society. It was inspiring to see people from all sectors in Baltimore convening to discuss the real impacts that data can have on solving poverty and inequality in our city. Many neighborhood community leaders discussed how they were thankful for data that supported the fact that there was so much blight within their neighborhoods. This way they could use the information to prove to government officials that what they were fighting for was not just made up as some would try to claim. I was excited to see that I was not the only person who truly believes that math can have a social impact and help solve issues that I care about.

I am still working on writing my weekly blog posts for my organization, this week I have been focusing on systems entrepreneurs. Although I feel like I am starting to grasp the concept of impact investing there is still so much information about the philanthropy world that I am learning about every day. I really like how I am simultaneously learning so much about the field and becoming an active member within the Baltimore philanthropy/ non-profit sector by posting my writing through Invested Impact. I am sad that we are past the halfway point in the summer program, but I am looking forward to the work ahead and the possibility of maybe continuing in the fall.

CELINE SHANOSKY | CENTRAL BALTIMORE PARTNERSHIP - WEEK 5

These past two weeks have been a whirlwind. I attended: the celebration of a telehealth grant at Mosaic Community Services, the Data Day 2017 Kick-Off event at the Federal Reserve Bank, an Eight-City International Research Meeting, and a community meeting about sex work activity in Central Baltimore. Not only did I attend major events, but I'm also working on some exciting projects: finalizing the Front and Center Equitable Development Plan, updating a workforce development resource for employers looking to hire locally, and extending my internship into September.

This week was a whirlwind, and unfortunately, this blog post has been too. No deep thoughts or revelations this week - just a lot of excitement about the work I'm doing and the meetings I've been able to participate in. Can't wait for week six!

DELLA XU | IMPACT HUB - WEEK 5

Perhaps I’ve moved around five to many times, perhaps I was raised in a societal culture and education system that encouraged listening over speaking, perhaps it is just because of who I am—I absorb rather than exude. I criticize, synthesize, and formulate in my own head. I am receptive, curious, and open, but not easily convinced.

The Impact Hub experience has been both a paradise and challenge to my method of thinking and processing. I am presented by a great variety of stimuli—people, stories, ideas, and philosophies. In a meeting with an executive management coach and social entrepreneurial consultant, I was invited to ponder the use of social and emotional intelligence in management. In researching the practices of social incubator models, I was fascinated by the combination of rigid and precise structures and metrics with individualized and creative idea formulations and interactions in their programs. I ravenously intake and internalize, hoping to add these experiences to my personal and professional beliefs. However, I am faced with challenges too. I am presented with overwhelming unfamiliarity, ranging from the cultural landscape of Baltimore, to the dozens of issues and topics our members address, to talking to people who are at the same naloxone training I am but not merely because of their curiosity of the subject but because of the urgent reality of needing to revive someone experiencing overdose. As I am writing the membership handbook, or creating a crazy spreadsheet for our members, or drafting an office lease, I wonder if I am actually doing any good to the community, as indirect as my work seems. In the midst of my questioning, I remember the multitude of ways one can perform service, and know that understanding, embracing, and performing service will now be my lifelong effort and goal.

Five minutes into my talk with the founders of Vinyl Stories in Baltimore, I was convinced to start a vinyl collection.

YOUTH & FAMILY WELLNESS

KAETLYN BERNAL | STRONG CITY BALTIMORE, BARCLAY - WEEK 5

MARIANA RINCON CAICEDO | BALTIMORE SQUASHWISE - WEEK 5

I am not an American citizen. And for a long time, I’ve hidden behind that identity as a way to excuse my ignorance of certain aspects of American culture that I’ve not been exposed to, as I was raised in another country. This week, for instance, I was surprised by how little I knew about American history, when I was preparing a lesson about citizenship for the kids in the summer camp I’m interning at. I had to do a fair amount of research in order to put together a semi-coherent lesson, and to look knowledgeable in a subject that I have very little knowledge of.
My other lesson was about how to be an engaged citizen in today’s time and age and the first thing I wrote was “stay informed”. How could I tell the kids to stay informed about what’s going on in the world when I myself didn’t know a lot about the country that I’ve been living in for two years? The hypocrisy of my lessons struck me as I completed my research for both of my lessons. Despite the fact that I don’t enjoy a lot of the privileges that American citizens have and that I have had quite a different upbringing and education than people who have lived in the US all their lives, I realized that being from a different country is not an excuse to remain ignorant or apathetic to the history and the struggles of the country I’m currently living in.
I’ll be living here for at least another year, and it is my duty to know about the place I’m residing in. I don’t know if I’m going to stay here after I graduate, or if my career path will take me to the other side of the world. But right now I know that while I’m not a legal citizen here, this country has become in a way a home away from home and in order to be the best possible student, intern, and human being here, I need to follow my own advice and get to know the history and the current situation of this country. That way, perhaps I will be a little bit more prepared to serve this country as est as I can for as long as I’m here.

AWOENAM MAUNA-WOANYA | BLACK CHURCH FOOD SECURITY NETWORK, ORITA'S CROSS FREEDOM SCHOOL - WEEK 5

Adventure of the week: Taking a road trip with Rev. Brown to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware.

Rating: 10/10

My week started on Monday preparing for a mini-conference with Rev. Brown on Tuesday. I studied up on the needs assessment for black farmers of the Delmarva (Delaware/Maryland/Virginia) peninsula. This on its own was eye-opening enough to change the course of my week as I learned about the struggles of black farmers and began forming some of my own questions. One question for example: even though the population of black farmers has declined exponentially of the last century, On Tuesday, we headed down to Easton where we met with board members of NESAWG (Northeastern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group) and other Ag (cool nickname for agriculture apparently) groups. There, we had a roundtable discussion about the state of Ag on the Eastern Shore primarily by comparing it Ag in New England states since we are comparable areas with similar populations. This discussion was incredible to witness because as an engineering college student, they brought up very real problems that never crossed my mind. Right after the first comment was made, I wanted to jump in the discussion myself, however I became timid as I felt I didn’t know as much as these professionals. The conversation passed and I wrote down all my thoughts and responses and I was really enjoying myself. The perspective is very different because sometimes in school, we talk about other world problems, but ultimately end with us not knowing what can be down and concluding nothing can be done. In this case though, these professionals actually had the power to make a difference and weren't afraid to grill each other to come up with a solution. That is how stuff gets done.

The following day we had the opportunity to tour Fifer's Orchard- and orchard in Delaware. While my interest in ag (am I cool now?) remains just that, an interest, I was piqued by the inner workings of this orchard and how they've been able to sustain their business for about a hundred years. While their case is unique, they are a sort of goal that the network is striving for on a more urban scale.

One of my favorite parts of this little adventure was spending the time with Rev. Brown, getting to know him personally and at the end of the trip, welcoming him into my home and introducing him to my family. I am so grateful to have been paired with him for this summer, because he has become a sort of role model to me and more importantly, a friend. While we are past the halfway point in this program, I am not too worried because I know I am going to stay in touch and do my best to continue this good work with these great folk.

Signing off,
Awoe

PAULINA PARSONS | RUTH M. KIRK REC CENTER - WEEK 5

The week started out tough on Monday! I was not sure I was going to get through the first day to be honest. But the next day after talking to Squeaky and beginning to work on parts of the rec that I really wanted to start getting to the week started to be awesome. While still doing my weekly duties that I have been doing I was able to craft fundraising letters and speak with the people who manage our donations which was very helpful to my understanding on how the center works. It definitely made me feel like I was bringing my skills to the center and I hope that this next week I can amp up the fundraising and really make an impact. I am excited looking and looking forward to this week. That being said it is difficult to manage doing two things at once and still catering to the children while I work on fundraising so I hope I can more successfully manage both of them at the same time. On Friday when I left I felt this sense of wanting to linger. I realized that I will miss this center so much when my internship is over and I hope I can come back in the fall. The rec staff and children have become a little actually big family to me that I deeply care about. I can see all of these kids reaching great heights if they keep up what they have been doing this summer. Also, now that there is also an older group of children at the center it is fun befriending them. It was not too long ago that I was 12 to be honest so hearing their conversations and what they are going through is incredibly interesting and I love to just engage with them and see where they are at. I hope to be a role model and a friend at the same time. Balancing that will probably be difficult, but I think I can do it! Looking forward to the next few weeks!

ISADORA SCHALLER | THE MONUMENT QUILT / FORCE - WEEK 5

SHIAOMENG TSE | ERICA - WEEK 5