Baltimore First
Overview
Baltimore First is the Center for Social Concern’s primary community engagement program offered during the academic year. Committed to utilizing a sustainable service model, Baltimore First matches groups of students to volunteer with the same Service Partner for the duration of a semester. In addition to weekly volunteering, Baltimore First members attend educational workshops, critical reflection sessions, cohort socials, and Baltimore-based community events. By coordinating accessible opportunities to engage with Baltimore and facilitating complementary education and reflection sessions, Baltimore First equips students to intentionally engage with diverse communities, promotes awareness of Baltimore’s social equity ecosystem, builds community both on and off campus, and inspires a commitment to active citizenship.
The Center for Social Concern is committed to ensuring that participating in Baltimore First is a meaningful and inclusive experience for all students and community members. Please reach out to the Baltimore First Team if you have any questions, concerns, or accessibility requests.
Continue reading below to learn more about getting involved with Baltimore First. Still have questions? Contact [email protected].
Become a Student Director
Applications for Student Director positions for the 2024-25 academic year have closed. Application instructions and deadlines for future dates will be posted here.
Become a General Member or Shift Lead
Applications for General Member positions for the 2024-25 academic year have closed. Application instructions and deadlines for future dates will be posted here.
Member and Shift Lead Expectations
Please keep in mind that when we volunteer, we are guests in established communities. Volunteering is a unique opportunity to learn from folks with diverse lived experiences and to expand our understanding of complex social challenges. We ask that all CSC students engage with community members with humility, respect, and an open mind. All volunteers are expected to be fully engaged and present during service (e.g., no multi-tasking, excessive phone usage, side conversations, etc.).
If for any reason you are unable to attend your scheduled volunteering shifts or other required sessions (e.g., educational workshop, site-specific reflection sessions, etc.), please give Baltimore First advance notice at LEAST 1 business day (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) prior to the scheduled activity. Baltimore First is about building community and requires accountability to both our student members and service partners. Failure to meet the expectations outlined in this document could result in dismissal from Baltimore First.
Read through the PDF Document: General Member expectations and the PDF Document: Shift Lead expectations.
Program Expectations
Members of Baltimore First are required to make a semester-long commitment and must participate fully to the best of their abilities in the following mandatory program activities – orientation, an educational workshop, a small-group reflection session, and at least one community event in Baltimore City.
Education
- Complete 1 virtual training on Engaging with Baltimore Communities before starting service
- Attend 1 Educational Workshop
- Participate in 1 Experiential Learning Event
Action
- Fully participate in volunteering responsibilities at assigned service site
- Independently engage in one Baltimore City community activity
- [Optional] Attend social events & community gatherings
Reflection
- Participate in 2 small group site-specific reflection sessions
- Participate in reflection activities after workshops and experiential learning event
- [Optional] Complete other critical reflection prompts as offered
Other
- Monitor and respond to Baltimore First communications (sent via email and slack)
- Comply with all JHU policies and procedures (including the Student Code of Conduct and all necessary risk management processes).
- Log impact hours on Hopkins Engage
Shift Lead Expectations
Baltimore First Shift Leads play an important role in ensuring that all volunteering runs smoothly by serving as key supports to the Student Directors. Shift Leads will be assigned to a Service Site based on preference and availability and will assist the Student Director’s efforts in ensuring that volunteer operations run smoothly. In addition, Shift Leads will act as the Service Site Lead should the Student Director not be present for service.
This role is unpaid. However, Shift Leads will receive priority consideration for future Baltimore First Leadership roles and will have access to professional development workshops hosted by CSC staff. In addition, a $100 stipend is available to any Shift Lead who is HopVan certified and drives volunteers to Service Site multiple times over the semester. An additional stipend ($150-500) will be made available for Shift Leads that cover for Student Directors (e.g. independently lead a group of volunteers) 2 or more times throughout the semester. Stipends will be distributed contingent upon successful completion of the semester.
Baltimore First Shift Leads are required to make a semester-long commitment and must participate fully to the best of their abilities in the following mandatory program activities.
Education
- Same as member expectations (see above)
Action
- Same as member expectations (see above)
- [Required] Attend social events & community gatherings
Reflection
- Same as member expectations (see above)
- [Required] Complete other critical reflection prompts as offered
Other
Same as member expectations (see above)
Meet our Student Directors
Baltimore First’ student leaders play critical leadership roles within the program by serving as the primary point of contact for Service Partners and student volunteers. They are responsible for cultivating strong relationships with Service Partners, supporting and building community among student volunteers, and implementing the CSC’s education curriculum by hosting workshops and trainings, coordinating co-learning opportunities for volunteers, and cultivating a culture of critical reflection among the cohort.
Christopher Amanat
Hello! My name is Christopher Amanat, and I am a current sophomore studying History and Critical Diaspora Studies. I am originally from Tucson, Arizona. I like to explore Baltimore’s historic neighborhoods and sample local restaurants in my free time. I am most excited to connect with my site, Paul’s Place, and learn more about its surrounding communities. I also look forward to fostering community within Baltimore First and building new friendships with my cohort!
Isabela Davis
Hi, I’m Izzy Davis! I’m a junior from New Jersey majoring in Materials Science and Engineering, with a focus on biomaterials, and minoring in Spanish for the Professions. In addition to my involvement in Baltimore First, at Hopkins I am a co-chair of marketing for the Society of Women Engineers, am involved in a student design team, and play intramural volleyball. I love anything related to dogs, running, and traveling!
Alice Liu
Hi! My name is Alice Liu, and I’m currently a senior majoring in Biophysics, originally from the Bay Area in California. I’ve been a member of Baltimore First for most of my undergraduate years, so I’m excited and grateful to be able to continue working with community partners to establish mutually beneficial relationships and contribute to their goals within the Baltimore community. Some of my hobbies include watching movies at The Charles, playing golf, or exploring the city with friends and family. You can find me enjoying Thai food at The Dara, eating ice cream at Pitango, or sitting down for a nice meal at Dukem. Outside of Baltimore First, I am trained as a peer listener with A Place to Talk, involved in the PILOT Program as a physics leader, and volunteer at the ED with the Violet Project.
Sabira Hassan
Hi! I’m Sabira Hassan, and I’m a senior majoring in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. I’m originally from Minooka, a small town in Northern Illinois, and I’ve enjoyed exploring Baltimore City. I like to visit museums, hike, and attend poetry slams (occasionally sharing my own works). On campus, I encourage students to explore different neighborhoods within Baltimore, and I advocate for the needs of first-generation and low-income college students. I would love to connect!
Maya Savory
I am Maya Savory and I am a current senior studying Environmental Engineering and Applied Mathematics. I’m originally from Omaha, Nebraska, and I am president of the Environmental Engineering student group and participate a lot in sustainability around the Hopkins campus. Through Baltimore First, I am now in my fourth year of working with Baltimore Green Space, and I love seeing the forests of the city.
Lauren Oster
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My name is Lauren and I am a senior from Minnesota studying Public Health and Spanish. At the Center for Social Concern, I am a student director for Baltimore First. Outside of the CSC, I am involved in JHU Advocates for Reproductive and Sexual Health and Blue Jay’s Perch community garden. In my free time enjoy thrifting, going on hikes, and checking out new coffee shops!
Service Partners & Volunteer Times
During the semester, Baltimore First will be partnering with Service Partners (Baltimore-based nonprofit organizations). Learn more about each organization and volunteer shift times below. Please be advised that Baltimore First coordinates and pays for all transportation to and from service sites!
Note: Service partners notated by (*) include working with minors and will require additional child safety training.
Baltimore Green Space
Description
Baltimore Green Space is Baltimore’s environmental land trust. They promote vibrant neighborhoods and a healthy environment through land preservation, research, and community advocacy. Their vision is to be a leader and partner in ensuring that communities’ open spaces and forest patches are considered priority assets in the growth and redevelopment of Baltimore. They believe that green spaces provide unmatched opportunities for recreation, civic engagement, and community revitalization. It is essential to retain existing natural spaces that have ecological value and biodiversity. Their impact includes the scientifically documented social, health, environmental, and economic benefits that create strong neighborhoods and a vibrant city.
Volunteer Activities
Baltimore First members will support revitalization and stewardship efforts at local green spaces, namely Springfield Woods – Baltimore Green Space and Wilson Woods – Baltimore Green Space
Volunteer Shift Times
Saturdays from 10am-noon (travel time not included).
*Corner Team, Inc.
Description
Corner Team, Inc. uses Olympic-style boxing to strengthen core competencies that improve academic performance, encourage healthy and active lifestyles, and build strong communities of engaged citizens. Corner Team is organized around the longstanding and successful tradition of community sports programs that address holistic well being at the neighborhood level to shape Champions for Life! Engagement in any sports activity provides opportunities for social interaction and skill-building within diverse settings. Sports foster pride and increase self-esteem. Sports teach leadership and discipline, and support physical, mental, and social fitness. Through sports, Corner Team, Inc. connects our Champions to local resources, mentors, academic tutoring, economic opportunities, and healthy living strategies that grow tomorrow’s leaders and inspire the change we want to see for all.
The Vision is clear: building strong minds, bodies, and communities creates champions for life–leaders inspiring positive change.
Volunteer Activities
Baltimore First members will serve as “Learning Coaches” to Baltimore City students (grades 7-12) in the Youth Champions after-school program. Members will provide mentorship and academic support that will supplement the boxing training and other programming provided at Corner Team.
Volunteer Shifts
Wednesdays from 5:00pm-7:00pm.
4MyCity
Description
At 4MyCiTy, we are dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability, with a special emphasis on the sustainable management of food to minimize organic waste. Our initiatives are designed to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of organic waste while simultaneously bolstering food security for families in our community. Furthermore, through our 4MyCiTyU! program, we are committed to driving economic and personal development by providing job training and mentorship in sustainable practices and community service, enhancing our community’s resilience and self-reliance.
Volunteer Activities
Baltimore First members will be supporting with meal services and serving food to the guests of 4MyCity.
Volunteer Times
Mondays from 2:00pm-4:00pm
Paul’s Place
Description
The mission of Paul’s Place is to improve the quality of life in Southwest Baltimore. They provide programs, services, and support that strengthen individuals, families, and neighborhoods, by fostering hope, personal dignity, and growth. Paul’s Place vision is that the individuals and families living in Southwest Baltimore City will have full access to high-quality health care, education, employment, and housing along with any other support or resources necessary for stability.
Volunteer Activities
Baltimore First members will be supporting with meal services and serving lunch/dinner to the guests of Paul’s Place.
Volunteer Times
Thursdays from 5:00pm-7:00pm.
Urban Reads
Description
Urban Reads Bookstore is Your New Community Urban Bookstore for black authors and prison authors committed to educating and empowering youth through literacy, education, and storytelling, fostering creativity, advocacy, and personal growth.
Volunteer Activities
More information to come.
Volunteer Times
Fridays from 4:00pm-6:00pm.
Baltimore First Through Words and Photos
