2019 CIIP Program Book CIIP Booklet 2019 | Page 50

Waverly is a small neighborhood, running roughly between 29th and 35th Streets down Green-
mount Avenue. However, I truly believe that it is one of the busiest places in Baltimore. Within its
boundaries, Waverly has three major bus stops, popular businesses, the Waverly Farmers Market
(Baltimore’s longest running year-round farmers market), historical landmarks and so much more.
This summer, I was lucky enough to meet and work with people who were involved with all things
Waverly.
One of the biggest projects I tackled while working at Waverly Main Street (WMS) was the new
Strategic Plan. Every few years, WMS, like many organizations, conducts an internal and external
evaluation to create a plan for the next 3-5 years. We created a task force comprised of business
and property owners, community members, non-profit leaders and residents and continue to work
alongside them to address the needs of Waverly and those who are a part of it. Though the strate-
gic planning process takes several months, I am glad to see the framework we created in motion.
I will say that this internship had its ups and downs. Unfortunately, even though I really wanted to,
we could not include or help everyone. Waverly Main Street, like many nonprofits, has limited fund-
ing and a small staff. This was disheartening at times, but I knew that there were other ways that we
could help the neighborhood grow. I was fortunate enough to speak with residents and business
owners about their specific needs, and work with them to solve issues they were facing; I was also
involved in writing and implementing grants for community activities and garden clean ups.
My time at Waverly Main Street this summer has been challenging, but absolutely incredible. Work-
ing closely with the Executive Director over the course of the summer gave me a better idea of
what managing a non-profit entailed: hard work and a great deal of collaboration. Thankfully, there
are so many people who are dedicated to working with local organizations to improve Waverly and
Baltimore as a whole. I’m so glad to have been a part of CIIP, and look forward to continuing my
work with Waverly Main Street during my senior year!
Community Partner: Waverly Main
Street
Intern: Turquoise Baker
Site Supervisor: Matt Smith
What is Waverly Main Street?
The Waverly Main Street mission is
to expand growth of the Waverly
Commercial District through: Re-
vitalization and economic devel-
opment; Commercial building and
streetscape improvements; and
Promotions and entrepreneurial
development.
• Helped create the framework for the new Waverly Main Street Strategic
Plan and Task Force and facilitated Strategic Plan meetings with the board
• Created marketing material for local businesses
• Assisted with grant writing; coordinated businesses and local non profits to
execute grants
• Worked with marketing management organizations to update the Waverly
Main Street website
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