Building a Better Community

Did you know?

Poverty

Maryland has the highest median household income of any state in the nation--$68,080. But one in 12 people in Maryland live in poverty--8.2% of the state's residents, more than the entire population of the Eastern Shore.
Almost 11% of children under five live in poverty. In Baltimore it’s 27%.
8.6% or almost one in eleven households faces a constant struggle against hunger.

Employment

The unemployment rate in Maryland rose from 3.5% in 2007 to 7.0 % in 2009. In Baltimore, the rate rose from 5.6% to 10.1%.

Health

An estimated 137,000 children in Maryland are uninsured.
Maryland ranks 43rd in the nation for low birth weight babies and its infant mortality rate ranks 39th.
The lifetime probability of a woman getting breast cancer is 1 in 8; the probability of a man getting prostate cancer is 1in 6.
Women in Maryland are not diagnosed with breast cancer any more frequently than women in the rest of the country, but they are dying of breast cancer at higher rates. Maryland is ranked fifth in the nation for breast cancer death rates.

Safety

According to the Maryland Judiciary's 2007 annual report, there were 24,370 domestic-violence cases officially recorded in Maryland during that fiscal year, including 4,049 in Baltimore City alone.
Victimized children are at greater risk of future juvenile delinquency and/or criminal behavior.
Abused girls are 4-6 times more likely to get pregnant and 8-9 times more likely to have tried to commit suicide.

Homelessness

There are 3,419 homeless people living in Baltimore, including those who live in shelters as well as more than 1,000 street dwellers. The total was up 12% from two years ago, and nearly 28% since the census began in 2003.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the number of homeless Maryland veterans increased from 3,100 in 2005 to over 4,000 in 2007. In Baltimore City alone, homeless veterans comprised one third of the homeless population.
The face of homelessness may be surprising. About ½ of all homeless women and children are fleeing domestic violence.

Housing

20% of Maryland renters are paying half or more of their income on housing.
In order to afford that rent of a two-bedroom apartment at a monthly fair market rent of $941, individuals earning minimum wage must work 2.9 full-time jobs.

Childcare

The cost of child care in Maryland for an infant as percent of median income for single parent families is 32%.

Education

In 2007, 33% of kindergarteners in central Maryland were not fully ready for school. In Baltimore City, 42% are not fully ready.

As these few statistics remind you, thousands of individuals and families in our state are facing unemployment, abuse and neglect, adequate housing and supports for their children. Imagine yourself struggling to take care of your family under such situations. Think of how important it would be to discover resources that provide food, shelter and medical care for your family. Consider how much you would appreciate the dedicated staff of the school or agency that helped you to get training or education to improve your earning power.

Support the nonprofits that help your neighbors in times of need. Contribute to the Maryland Charity Campaign. Together we can make a difference!