Economic Development

The Economic Development department provides programs and services designed to increase the economic viability of West Baltimore residents and communities. We offer occupational training and support for job seekers, financial services and education, access to fresh, local foods, neighborhood revitalization projects, and support for individuals returning home after incarceration.

This department provides the following programs and services:

Healthcare Training
Bon Secours Community Works offers multiple trainings to help West Baltimore residents advance their careers and enter the medical field with an industry recognized certification. Healthcare trainings at Bon Secours Community Works typically run 8- 15 weeks and include a standard job readiness curriculum, financial literacy training, and individualized case management. We currently offer the following certifications:

Clean & Green Workforce Training
The Clean & Green workforce training program is designed to boost employability by providing on-the-job training and industry certifications while engaging participants in beautifying and stewarding West Baltimore communities.

Since 2006, Clean & Green has trained local workers on landscaping “hard” skills and essential employment skills like professionalism, teamwork, reliability, and conflict resolution. During this paid learning experience, trainees transform vacant lots in into well-maintained, usable spaces learn skills such as tree and plant installation, equipment operation and maintenance, basic urban agriculture techniques, and light carpentry. Participants also receive wrap-around services and instruction including financial capability training, case management, and employment services to support with placement into careers post-training.

Bon Secours Community Works is also a lead agency for Clean Corps, a multi-year, multi-agency project, led by the Baltimore City Department of Planning as part of the Baltimore Green Network. Clean Corps works with five Baltimore-based nonprofits to hire underemployed Baltimore City residents to clean and maintain community-selected vacant lots biweekly, alleys weekly, and public trash cans.

Returning Citizens
The Returning Citizens program offers support services for community members who return to Baltimore City, especially West Baltimore, after incarceration. This program’s “blueprint for progress” combines an evidence-based curriculum focused on life skills with job placement assistance, wraparound support services, and case management to help clients reintegrate into their community. We work both within and outside the prison system to ensure that West Baltimore residents have every chance for success.

Financial and Employment Services
The Financial Services team works to support West Baltimore residents in meeting their both their basic needs and long-term goals though financial capability training, one-on-one financial coaching, eviction prevention assistance, public benefits screening, and low-cost tax preparation services. They also provide client specific curriculums to participants in our in-house job training and partnership programs.

Our Employment Services team assists our clients and community members with developing career plans and securing sustainable employment. Clients come from our in-house training programs and as walk-ins to our job hub, which works in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) to provide a space to access technology and job placement services. Our Employment Services staff maintain information about open positions and work closely with recruitment teams throughout the Baltimore area. Job Hub visitors can also be connected to other MOED resources including educational opportunities, customized skills training, computer literacy classes, employer recruitment events, job alerts, and job fairs.

Food Access and Urban Farming
Located just across the street from our 26 N. Fulton Avenue building, on the former site of 14 vacant rowhouses, Bon Secours Community Works has built an urban farm and community garden to help nourish, engage, and beautify our community. We utilize a three-part approach to food access work: production, distribution and education. We produce fresh vegetables and distribute the food grown to our community through our delivery program and Mobile Market. We also provide nutrition-focused cooking courses to these same community members and others. Our farm includes public space where our neighbors can enjoy the serenity of urban greenspace and a community garden where neighbors can secure land to grow their own crops while receiving support from our staff.

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Project Jump Start

We partner with local training providers to offer Project Jump Start, a free pre-apprenticeship training program for individuals interested in beginning a construction career. Participants receive specialized training on hands-on construction basics, math and measurements, and construction site safety, as well as case management, barrier removal, financial education, and job placement support. Many participants go on to complete a certified construction apprenticeship program, allowing them to enter the field with a higher starting salary.

For information about programs or to schedule an intake please contact us at 410-801-5100 or email us at Community_Works@bshsi.org