Mayor Scott, BCYF Seek to Expand Baltimore Youth Access to Engagement Activities

BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, March 27, 2025) - Ahead of next week's anticipated FY26 budget release, Mayor Brandon M. Scott is announcing that in FY26 the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund (BCYF) will provide funding to expand youth athletics in Baltimore City Public Schools, support summer jobs for young people through the Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED), and support the Mayor's summer youth engagement strategy that has helped reduce youth violence over the past two summers. Through this investment BCYF will:

• Establish a new youth athletics fund with an initial investment of $500,000, expanding access to high-quality vendor-provided athletic programming in Baltimore City Public Schools.
• Support YouthWorks, Baltimore's nationally recognized summer employment program with a $6,000,000 investment, ensuring 8,500 young people gain meaningful employment this summer.
• Invest $1,500,000 in Mayor Scott's summer youth engagement strategy, which has contributed to reducing youth victimization and involvement in violence.

"I am grateful for BCYF's commitment to Baltimore's young people," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "BCYF continues to show incredible leadership in ensuring that our children have access to the opportunities they deserve - whether through sports, job training, or safe and engaging activities during the summer months. With this investment, BCYF is coming to the table with a major commitment to building a safer and healthier Baltimore for our young people."

Through this investment, BCYF will help expand Baltimore City Public Schools' efforts to make the district a national leader in youth athletics. The new youth athletics fund will build on the district's successful launch of middle school sports programming, which has already provided thousands of students access to high-quality athletics in schools, and will create a vehicle for additional philanthropy to invest in middle school athletics.

"Through sports, young people develop leadership, teamwork, and resilience - qualities that are essential for success in life," said Alysia Lee, President & CEO of BCYF. "We are proud to build on the work Baltimore City Public Schools has already begun and to ensure that even more students have access to transformative athletic experiences."

"We best enrich the lives of Baltimore City students when our community offers more opportunities to learn both inside and outside the classroom," said Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises, CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools. "We are grateful for the additional support that builds on the school district's expanded youth athletics offerings.

In addition to enhancing athletics opportunities, BCYF's investment in YouthWorks will provide approximately 8,500 young people with paid work experiences, professional development, and career readiness training through MOED.

"We know that summer employment is one of the most effective ways to keep young people engaged and build career pathways," said MOED Director MacKenzie Garvin. "Thanks to BCYF's incredible support, we are able to continue our impact and ensure young people are connected to job opportunities that will set them up for long-term success."

With the additional funding for Mayor Scott's summer youth engagement strategy, the City will continue to provide outreach workers, structured programming, and safe spaces for young people throughout the summer months to help continue the significant reduction in youth violence. "This is about investing in our young people holistically - in their futures, their well-being, and their safety," added Mayor Scott. "Together, with BCYF, MOED, and Baltimore City Public Schools, we are ensuring that Baltimore's young people have every opportunity to thrive."