By Megan SaylesAFRO Employees Writermsayles@afro.com
United Approach of Central Maryland is celebrating 100 years of strengthening lives and neighborhoods throughout Better Baltimore with a profit live performance on Oct. 11. The present, which can happen on the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Corridor, shall be headlined by Grammy-award profitable artist Widespread with extra performances from Billboard-music award-winner CeCe Peniston and Baltimore-based singer-songwriter Elyscia Jefferson.
For many years, United Approach of Central Maryland has labored to construct wholesome, resilient communities, create alternatives for youth and enhance financial safety for households. The profit evening shall be an opportunity to have a good time the facility and promise of the Better Baltimore area, whereas mobilizing neighborhood members to additional assist the work of the group.
“United Approach has achieved superb issues over the previous century,” mentioned Franklyn Baker, CEO and president of United Approach of Central Maryland. “We’ve helped our neighborhood by means of wars, despair, monetary crises, main well being challenges— together with a worldwide pandemic— and extra, and we’ve at all times advanced to fulfill new wants in our area.”
Established in 1925, United Approach of Central Maryland is considered one of greater than 1,000 native chapters of the bigger United Approach world community that foster community-based options to native challenges.
Baker mentioned a few of United Approach of Central Maryland’s high accomplishments in its historical past have been launching its office giving mannequin; increasing into direct companies in housing, well being, schooling and financial development; and being acknowledged as a flagship, go-to associate inside the world and nationwide United Approach networks.
For him, the group’s legacy is demonstrated within the tales of individuals and neighborhoods who’ve been impacted by its work.
(Picture courtesy of United Approach Central Maryland)
“There are tales like struggling highschool college students who’ve graduated and gone on to varsity or commerce college, veterans who dedicated a minor authorized offense who are actually main stronger, extra purposeful lives and households in monetary crises and on the verge of shedding their houses who are actually in secure, steady housing— and so many extra,” mentioned Baker. “The folks we serve have such power and tenacity, and we leverage that to assist them succeed.”
The upcoming profit live performance will reaffirm United Approach of Central Maryland’s pledge to advertise fairness and enhance entry to primary wants in Better Baltimore.
Peniston, who’s an envoy for United Approach Worldwide, will carry out a track written in regards to the work of the group referred to as, “United is the Approach,” with accompaniment from the Baltimore Metropolis School Choir. She mentioned being part of the live performance appears like a blessing.
“The attractive factor is it’s not only a live performance— it’s a motion. It’s to proceed to assist the neighborhood to develop by means of alternative,” mentioned Peniston. “Giving again to the neighborhood is one thing that I utterly like to do. I really feel like God offers me a lot and with the ability to give again to the neighborhood is a mission for me.”
Jefferson, a local of Baltimore County, additionally echoed Peniston’s sentiments, noting that she admires the mission of the group.
“I really like how devoted they’re to the longer term and their love for serving to folks,” mentioned Jefferson. “I feel that’s actually necessary on this day and time and for this neighborhood. I do know numerous instances we don’t see numerous that— neighborhood, love and serving to one another— however it aligns with what I stand for. I’ve such a love for folks and for shifting our future in a greater path.”
For United Approach of Central Maryland, success seems to be like communities the place everybody thrives. Baker mentioned this implies the group should obtain excellence in each space of its work whereas doubling down on innovation, analysis and assist for greatest practices.
He inspired folks to snag their profit live performance tickets to have a good time the historical past and way forward for the group.
“This can be a once-in-a-century celebration—bringing artists, neighborhood leaders, and neighbors collectively to shine a highlight on hope, resilience, and the facility of neighborhood,” mentioned Baker. “The live performance is about consciousness to gas our mission for the longer term—so that each household and neighborhood in Central Maryland has the chance to thrive.”
Tickets for United Approach of Central Maryland Centennial Profit Live performance will be discovered at uwcm.org/live performance.
