This summer , I had the privilege of working for Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore ( NHS ) as their Community Engagement Intern . NHS works with residents of the Greater Mondawmin and Rosemont neighborhoods in West Baltimore to reduce barriers to homeownership . As part of the Comprehensive Community Development team , I spread awareness of NHS ' homeowner education , home renovation and rehabilitation , and financial counseling services to the residents of its target neighborhoods . One of the highlights of my summer at NHS was being invited up onto the porches of West Baltimore residents while door-knocking and listening to their stories about what it ’ s like to live on their block . Many of the folks that I spoke to had lived in their neighborhood for decades and have so much optimism for the future of the West Baltimore district and so much love for their community . This theme of actively listening to residents is foundational to NHS ’ work .
One of my key responsibilities was supporting community leaders in making progress toward their NHSsponsored Community Spruce-Up projects . I learned so much from these community organizers who were tackling a variety of issues in their neighborhood , including food insecurity , neighborhood blight , and access to safe green spaces . My public health classes often discuss large-scale solutions to these same problems so I enjoyed seeing the smaller-scale , grassroots solutions that deliver an immediate positive impact to communities . As I continue my academic journey at Hopkins , I hope to bring the skills I have learned from community organizers in West Baltimore into classroom conversations about eliminating inequities in the social determinants of health , such as housing , transportation , and food access .
I am grateful to CIIP and NHS for exposing me to the incredible work and people in the non-profit sector . During my first week at NHS , I was able to talk with the director of every department including homebuyer education , home rehabilitation , real estate , grant writing , intake , and overall operations . I got a sense of the components necessary to run a successful nonprofit and how the departments work together to achieve their mission of affordable and sustainable homeownership in Baltimore . Throughout the summer , I continued to work with members of each department to advance NHS ' goals and relay community needs and feedback to them . I am grateful to my NHS family for welcoming me with open arms and for their willingness to teach me about all facets of the organization . I have made lifelong friends and mentors from my time with them . They have made Baltimore feel like home .
Supported residents who were awarded NHS ' Community Spruce-Up Grants . Projects included building the capacity of the LaBurt- Mosher Community Fridge via social media management , donation solicitation , and assisting members of the Mobile Toolkit Taskforce in implementing a mobile toolkit that residents can reserve for various cleanup and beautification projects
Approved Spruce-Up Grant applications for 2022-2023
Assisted with hosting , organizing and providing outreach for special NHS " Sneak Peek " open houses that invite residents of the Walbrook and Panway neighborhoods to see the completed homes NHS has rehabbed and renovated for homeownership
Completed Housing Upgrade Benefits for Seniors ( HUBS ) applications for senior residents in the Greater Mondawmin and Rosemont community to help them receive grant money towards major home repairs
Raised awareness about NHS ' various services in the Greater Mondawmin Community through door knocking , tabling at the Druid Hill Farmers Market , and attending NHS-sponsored community events at the Walbrook Mill and Center for Urban Families
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