FirstPic, Inc. provided assistance in the administration of a targeted, citywide effort across Baltimore, MD in 2011 and 2012 to pair quality adult mentors with children in neighborhoods with historically high levels of juvenile crime. The initiative engaged community organizations with evidence-based mentoring programs as partners shared resources and expertise to support youth and community development in some of the most challenging areas in Baltimore. Organizations that were awarded OJJDP mentoring funding were engaged in the project, in addition to many local and community organizations. Partners included: Big Brothers Big Sisters of America; Boys & Girls Clubs of America; 4-H; Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation; Center for Neighborhood Enterprise; Duke of Edinburgh Award Program; National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues; Outward Bound; U.S. Dream Academy; and the Y Building Futures program.
In order to promote partnerships across Baltimore City, FirstPic, Inc.:
- Coordinated meetings with mentoring organizations.
- Developed data collection tools for implementing citywide partnerships.
- Provided technical assistance for the Baltimore Mentoring Coordinator.
- Developed working partnerships between national organizations, local law enforcement, Baltimore City Government, and OJJDP.
- Created and distributed a newsletter to partners to emphasize data-driven progress, providing partnership updates, sharing grant opportunities, and updating partners on the latest news from the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.