Social injustice is very often at the root of unequal opportunity and outcomes for disadvantaged communities. In America, an expanding economic gap exacerbates the differences in social outcomes, particularly with the urban poor but increasingly throughout the shrinking middle class. The foundation dedicates resources to finding and scaling solutions that lead to more fulfilled lives and livelihoods, particularly in Baltimore. We aim to impact issues such as education, immigration, incarceration, employment, drug dependency, and racial bias. We are very mindful that deep-seeded social issues are not easy to change, that the change is hard to effectively measure, and that it takes much longer than hoped. Nevertheless, these parameters do not deter us from the challenges.
Internationally, we partner with organizations that strive to help people gain better access to health care and put into place higher levels of governmental accountability. These areas are legacies from our earlier years but continue to show need and promise.
Our Partners in Action: Center for Urban Families
The Center for Urban Families (CFUF) seeks to dismantle poverty and strengthen urban communities by equipping fathers and families with the tools to achieve long-term economic and personal success. Each year, CFUF works with about 1,400 men and women in Baltimore, Maryland through a variety of programs that focus on two primary challenges: chronic unemployment and family instability. The organization’s “All In” approach targets these two areas, aiming to increase economic opportunity and advance policies that promote equity and racial justice. The strategy focuses on boosting individual accountability; providing person-centered case management; offering support networks; and providing workforce development trainings, education, and civic engagement opportunities. For example, CFUF offers STRIVE Baltimore, an intensive three-week workshop to build job-readiness skills and attitudes, and the Baltimore Responsible Fatherhood Project, a 30-day program that helps fathers understand the responsibilities of parenthood and strengthen their relationships with their children. Additionally, CFUF works with practitioners and nonprofits across the country to help build their capacity to effectively serve low-income families.
The Osprey Foundation provides general operating support to CFUF, which the organization recently used to formalize strong partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies in Baltimore; begin to establish a formal volunteer engagement plan; and strengthen the performance of the leadership team and overall operations. These objectives will help ensure the organization is well positioned to continue serving as a strong backbone organization in the community, especially during this period of great need due to COVID-19.
What We Are Reading
Two Cheers for Liberalism! (Or Maybe One and a Half) by David Brooks