Access to quality health care, additional educational resources, and fresh, nutritious food have a big impact on well-being. For residents of West Baltimore’s 21223 ZIP code, these benefits can be key to improving health and quality of life. That’s why Kaiser Permanente, Bon Secours Community Works, and the Anchor Group have partnered to create Future Baltimore, an initiative to promote health, wealth, and equity in three of the city’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.
On September 16, 2019, Future Baltimore broke ground on a community resource center, putting the program one step closer to its goals for West Baltimore. Sited in a much-loved but long-shuttered community library, the state-of-the art building is designed to be the centerpiece of the Future Baltimore initiative. The new structure will be a space for job training, health education, social health services, and a vibrant place for the community.
In addition to efforts to develop the center, Future Baltimore has already achieved noteworthy changes and outcomes:
- 1,200 screenings and referrals for behavioral health services
- 100 certified nursing assistants graduated
- 11 microbusinesses graduated from the business incubator program
- 75 families per week served with fresh produce from an urban farm
Once the resource center is fully operational, it will continue to deliver outcomes like these for years to come.
To stay informed about Future Baltimore and other Kaiser Permanente community efforts, visit about.kaiserpermanente.org/community-health.
