Resources & Virtual Meetings

Emergency Declarations
News links and basic background can be found at the bottom of this blog.

Free Food 
Here is a  link to a map of all locations in the city to get free food. Many sites are specifically for those under 18 years old. Hours vary by location, so check before you go. There are three locations within .5 miles of McCulloh Homes, Gilmor Homes and one near Poe Homes at the James McHenry Recreation Center. Older adults (over 60) who participate in Eating Together in Baltimore can still order meals through Maryland Access Point. Older adults who are not Eating Together participants can contact should call Maryland Access Point at 410-396-2273. The application for Eating Together is here but is NOT necessary at this time.

Free WiFi 
Xfinity is offering free internet access at hot spots all over the city for the next 60 days. To find the nearest hotspot, use this link and enter an address. There is also free internet access for those who qualify through the Baltimore City Public Schools website. Return here for details once we have them. 

​Also, City Schools have partnered with Comcast to bring the power of high speed internet service to students, families, and staff through the Internet Essentials program. Comcast is currently offering 2 months of free internet service to eligible Internet Essentials program participants. Any family with a child attending City Schools is eligible to apply to the Internet Essentials program through Comcast since the district provides free breakfast and lunch to all students. Staff may also apply for Internet Essentials if they are a parent of a City Schools student or fall within another qualifying group. Check here to see if you qualify! 

Once enrolled in the program, participants can take advantage of special computer training and can even purchase a laptop or desktop computer at a super reduced rate while supplies last. To be eligible for the 2-month free promotion, you must apply by April 30, 2020. After the promotional period, the standard Internet Essentials rate of $9.95 + tax would apply. Program participants must opt out of the program to not be charged the fee after the promotional period ends. Apply today online (preferred) or by phone at 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376).

Education 
Baltimore City Public Schools have districtwide packets of work for students by grade-level, available online or at schools where lunches are distributed. Baltimore City Schools also have a Distance Learning page that lists TV station programming for children with blocks of different subject at different grade levels as well as other grade level resources. Additional online learning resources selected by our partners at Baltimore Child & Youth Fund are available here. Baltimore County Public School learning resources by grade level are available here. Both City and County schools are initiating online learning curriculum starting Monday, April 6th, and are distributing meals to students in need. Check the food map for details.

Healthcare 
Scroll down the Baltimore Public Schools’ health updates page - where learning packets, food locations and other resources are listed. The Baltimore City Health Department has provided a list of primary care clinics for anyone without health insurance. For the most up-to-date information on Maryland COVID-19 cases, follow this link.

For resources on COVID-19, the City, State and Federal Government all have information on their websites: Baltimore City Health Department, Maryland Department of Health Center for Disease Control and Prevention, The Maryland Health Department has a map with all the COVID-19 cases by county in the State. As of March 31, 2020, Baltimore City had 187 cases of COVID-19 and 3 reported deaths.

Transportation 
Buses and other public transportation are still running, but on revised schedules. The Maryland Transit Authority is asking for your help slowing the spread of COVID-19. Guidance: PLEASE USE TRANSIT FOR ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY. Essential travel means taking trips to work, hospitals, health care providers, pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, food distribution centers, schools, to provide care for family members, and other similar destinations. For the most updated schedule changes for MTA services, use this link. 

Clearinghouse Information 
Open Society Baltimore is keeping their resource page up to date. It includes links to: general information about COVID-19, local government resources, community-based resources (neighbors helping neighbors), educational resources, and arts resources. 

You Cannot Be Evicted Right Now 
Baltimore Mayor Young put a stop to evictions halted schools are closed because of coronavirus. This means that the sheriff’s office will not evict people from their homes before schools resume. This may not prevent landlords from threatening you, or announcing rent increases. 

Our Responses 
Our concern for the welfare of our communities has led Communities United to take the following steps: 
1. All of our in-person events are canceled and offices are closed until further notice. Please stay up to date about when we are back live by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or receive text messages, emails and calls from us by signing up here.  
2. We are working remotely. This means we’re GOING to call, text and message you. Please let us know how you are doing. Thank you. 
3. We are having meetings, and are planning events online. Please let us know when we call, text or message you what platforms you are on (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram...or another one, if you are on something else). 
4. Please join our online events: Baltimore City Board of Estimates Taxpayer Night is April 7th at 6pm, Baltimore Budget-Freedom to Thrive Town Hall, April 21st at 6pm.
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We love you.  Please stay safe, and keep others safe by staying home or keeping your distance if you go out. Keep a regular schedule, as much as you can. Be kind to one another. We need all of you.
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Background of Emergency Orders
Maryland State of Emergency 
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s decision to declare a state of emergency due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 5  was ahead of the curve. He showed leadership when he directed the Maryland Department of Health and Maryland Emergency Management Agency to "ramp up" coordination among state and local agencies and "fast-track" the state's response to the illness. The story is here. Hogan has since issued an executive order (effective 8pm, 3/30) stopping all non-essential travel and instituting a statewide stay-at-home order. Here is that order. Guidance: Stay at home unless necessary.

National State of Emergency 
President Donald Trump during a Friday, March 13 news conference declared a national emergency in response to the ongoing spread of the new coronavirus throughout the United States, which frees up to $50 billion in federal aid to states and municipalities. Here is the story. 

Baltimore County State of Emergency 
On March 13th, County Executive Johnny Olszewski declared a state of emergency due to the virus. Here is the story. 

Baltimore City State of Emergency 
On Wednesday, March 18th, Mayor Jack Young declared a 30-day state of emergency to expand the programs that provide free food shelter. There were 5 confirmed cases, and clear community transmission. Here is that story.