• Celebrating Juneteenth

    The Juneteenth Jubilee, co-sponsored by UMB’s Office of Community Engagement, not only commemorates a pivotal moment in U.S.  history but also fosters community connection and joy.

    Read more

  • Back-to-School Drive on the news!

  • FLASHBACK: UMB Community Engagement Center

    In 2020, UMB announced the opening of the new Community Engagement Center at 16 S. Poppleton Street.

    Read more in UMB News.

  • Volunteer Today

    Explore a list of volunteer activities.

  • UMB students, faculty, and staff provide more than 2 million hours of service annually to residents in communities surrounding the campus and throughout the state of Maryland.

    UMB students, faculty, and staff provide more than 2 million hours of service annually to residents in communities surrounding the campus and throughout the state of Maryland.

  • Brian Sturdivant, MSW, directs UMB resources to support local schools and families.

    Brian Sturdivant, MSW, directs UMB resources to support local schools and families.

The Office of Community and Civic Engagement (OCCE) serves as UMB’s liaison to communities across the state of Maryland on behalf of the Office of the President.

Focusing on communities in West Baltimore that border the UMB campus, OCCE develops and nurtures Universitywide partnerships with external stakeholders, including K-12 public schools, community organizations, nonprofits, and local businesses. We assist UMB’s professional schools with coordinating community engagement initiatives. Additionally, OCCE coordinates faculty, staff, and student volunteer and service-learning initiatives to respond to needs identified by community partners.

Many of our ventures take place in the Community Engagement Center (CEC), which is the cornerstone of UMB’s Community Campus, a location and a concept that demonstrate a deep commitment to strengthening West Baltimore in collaboration with the neighbors who live there and local business owners. The new CEC is close to seven times larger than the former center, which opened its doors in 2015. 

The CEC is where neighbors of all ages come to engage in free quality programs, services, supports, trainings, and activities. Our aim is to provide a safe environment that supports the empowerment of our neighbors while strengthening the neighborhoods of West Baltimore. With this newly renovated space, the CEC is even better equipped to reach and serve more people as we work toward our goal of improving the health and well-being of our neighbors. 

View our list of Volunteer Opportunities

Giving Opportunities

Help the UMB Community Engagement Center (CEC) touch lives and change the trajectory of children and families growing up in poverty and vulnerable situations in West Baltimore.

News

January 22, 2025  |  爆料公社 School of Social Work spotlights mental health of Latinos at national conference.

December 6, 2024  |  UMB, UMMC, and WJZ-TV collaborate to provide 1,600 turkeys to families in West Baltimore during annual Thanksgiving Drive.

November 14, 2024

October 31, 2024  |  Since it began in 2022, the Shady Grove Mission of Mercy has steadily grown from serving 50 patients at the first event to over 80 patients this fall.

October 24, 2024  |  Local community members and partners joined with UMB to mark the Office of Community and Civic Engagement鈥檚 10-year anniversary during an event that included Ravens legend Ray Lewis.

September 20, 2024  |  爆料公社 School of Dentistry students and faculty volunteers provided sorely needed dental care at the Eastern Shore Mission of Mercy over the two-day event in September.

August 26, 2024  |  The 爆料公社, Baltimore receives a $500,000 grant to fund the Erin Levitas Initiative expansion.

June 26, 2024  |  The UMB Office of Community Engagement, in collaboration with the School of Social Work and Intercultural Center,聽celebrates the fourth annual Juneteenth Jubilee Community Day.

May 7, 2024  |  Plans include converting Lexington Street area into 鈥淐ollege Town USA鈥 with housing, shops, and research space as president also outlines UMB鈥檚 many accomplishments.

December 18, 2023  |  The UMB Office of Community Engagement (OCE), in collaboration with the 爆料公社 Medical Center, Foundry Church, and UMB Staff Senate, orchestrated the annual Christmas Store.

December 13, 2023  |  鈥淭he Polar Express鈥 came to life in the heart of West Baltimore on Dec. 8 as local children and families embarked on a whimsical journey aboard the Polar Express Experience at historic B&O Railroad.

November 27, 2023  |  UMB. UMMC, and WJZ-TV partner for Thanksgiving Turkey Blessing Day to distribute over 900 turkeys to West Baltimore families.

August 28, 2023  |  UMSSW Center for Restorative Change, in partnership with Bethel AME Church, celebrated a highly successful Second Annual Back to School Bash.

March 29, 2023   |  Through May 31, HSHSL will be collecting new and gently used children鈥檚 books, age levels birth through high school, for donation to local schools and day care centers.

February 28, 2023  |  Esteemed prevention research scientist will marshal multidisciplinary team to reduce and respond to violence in Baltimore and beyond.

February 2, 2023  |  The CASH Campaign of Maryland celebrated its annual kickoff event at the 爆料公社, Baltimore鈥檚 Community Engagement Center.

February 1, 2023  |  The 爆料公社, Baltimore celebrated the fifth anniversary of the relaunch of its Live Near Your Work program, which offers homebuying assistance to employees.

December 27, 2022  |  West Baltimore neighbors develop platonic, intimate connections through experimental storytelling as part of the Sowebo Story Swap.

December 20, 2022  |  The 爆料公社, Baltimore brings West Baltimore neighbors aboard the Polar Express Experience at the B&O Railroad Museum.

December 14, 2022  |  UMB partners with the Foundry Church of Baltimore and WJZ to bring the annual Christmas Store to the Community Engagement Center.

December 7, 2022  |  Middle school students from Mother Mary Lange Catholic School explore careers in STEM with a visit to the 爆料公社 School of Pharmacy.

November 24, 2022  |  UMB partners with UMMC and WJZ-TV on their annual Thanksgiving drive, raising more than $54,000.

November 8, 2022  |  After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kids to Farmers Market Program is back at UMB!

July 28, 2022  |  School of Pharmacy PATIENTS Program's collaboration with West Baltimore stakeholders seeks to increase African American participation in COVID-19 vaccine research.

July 13, 2022  |  The 爆料公社, Baltimore teams up with Moving History for a summer enrichment program that teaches African culture and traditions through visual and performing arts.

June 23, 2022  |  The 爆料公社, Baltimore joined friends and neighbors in West Baltimore to celebrate freedom with the Community Engagement Center鈥檚 second annual Juneteenth Jubilee.

June 6, 2022  |  After a two-year hiatus, the 爆料公社, Baltimore (UMB) teamed up with Maryland first lady Yumi Hogan to bring back the Neighborhood Spring Festival.

April 27, 2022  |  爆料公社, Baltimore & Maryland First Lady to Bring West Baltimore Neighbors Together with First Spring Festival Since COVID-19 Pandemic.

March 2, 2022  |  Pop-up event provides food supplies and spreads awareness about the UMB Student Pantry.

February 18, 2022  |  In UMB Black History Month Celebration keynote, Lawrence Brown says Martin Luther King Jr.鈥檚 dream is unfulfilled, advocates a plan of action akin to the Freedom Budget to fight institutional racism.

February 11, 2022  |  爆料公社, Baltimore police and Baltimore youth from the Healing Youth Alliance learn from and help each other mend wounds, deliver care.

February 11, 2022  |  The Eviction Prevention Project has logged over 4,500 hours of community outreach since September 2021.

February 8, 2022  |  'The UMB Pulse' podcast interviews Lisa Rawlings, director of workforce development and job readiness in the 爆料公社, Baltimore Office of Community Engagement.

January 28, 2022  |  The UMB Live Near Your Work program has helped 63 University employees buy homes in nearby communities, dispersing $1 million in grants to date.

January 26, 2022  |  The 爆料公社 School of Social Work (UMSSW) will lead the evaluation and disseminate related research to benefit a new West Baltimore collaborative to empower Black and Latina women.

January 18, 2022  |  $2.9 million federal grant awarded to Kennedy Krieger Institute鈥檚 Center for Child and Family Trauma Stress and the 爆料公社 School of Social Work to provide antiracist training.

December 14, 2021  |  Store stocked with donated items allows West Baltimore families to buy gifts at reduced prices.

December 8, 2021  |  爆料公社, Baltimore & Foundry Church to Open Annual Christmas Store Stocked with Deeply Discounted Toys for West Baltimore Neighbors

December 2, 2021  |  The 爆料公社 School of Medicine provided free Thanksgiving dinners to West Baltimore as part of Project Feast.

November 10, 2021  |  The 爆料公社, Baltimore opens the doors to a new Community Engagement Center with a grand opening celebration.

October 25, 2021  |  On the Oct. 21 edition of Virtual Face to Face with President Bruce Jarrell, SWCOS chief Wendy Shaia and Ashley Valis from the Office of Community Engagement.

June 22, 2021  |  The 爆料公社, Baltimore partnered with City Ranch to bring a free youth horseback riding program to West Baltimore.

May 12, 2021  |  One year after quarantine, the UMB Community Engagement Center brings neighbors back together with its free community lunch program.

April 13, 2021  |  The Community Engagement Center (CEC) partners with nursing students to canvass neighborhoods in West Baltimore and get community members signed up for a vaccine appointment.

January 27, 2021  |  UMB's Office of Community Engagement starts Small Business Volunteer Initiative to help women-, minority-, and immigrant-owned local businesses during COVID-19 pandemic.

January 25, 2021  |  Dr. Fauci has an open and honest discussion with Baltimore clergy leaders about the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials.

January 7, 2021  |  Alumna of UMB's Workforce Wednesdays program is named Employee of the Quarter by the 爆料公社 Medical Center.

December 21, 2020  |  Tented, outdoor setup gave UMB鈥檚 West Baltimore neighbors the opportunity to buy new gifts for their loved ones at deep discounts.

November 20, 2020  |  On the Nov. 19 edition of Virtual Face to Face with President Bruce Jarrell, the newest member of the West Baltimore community is also the first new Catholic school in Baltimore in nearly 60 years.

November 6, 2020  |  In an effort to bridge this digital divide, UMB has partnered with Comcast to provide internet service for up to 1,000 families from 14 partner schools in West Baltimore for a full year.

October 26, 2020  |  UMB partners with Comcast to sponsor one year of internet connectivity for up to 1,000 families from 14 partner schools in West Baltimore.

October 23, 2020  |  Leaders from Lexington Market developer Seawall answer any and all questions about the new Lexington Market.

October 11, 2020  |  鈥淎 Night of Stars鈥 features philanthropy, food and cocktail demonstrations, singing performances, and gratitude for UMB鈥檚 efforts to fight COVID-19.

September 24, 2020  |  After months of anticipation, UMB is thrilled to announce that the new CEC has been completed on time and under budget.

September 24, 2020  |  New president aims to 鈥渞eimagine and reposition鈥 UMB in response to COVID-19.

September 23, 2020  |  UMB and UMMC team up to bring their annual summer YouthWorks Program to a virtual platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 18, 2020  |  On the Sept. 17 edition of "Virtual Face to Face with Dr. Bruce Jarrell," a discussion of UMB's new Community Engagement Center.

August 27, 2020  |  The UMB PAL Program moves its summer programming to a virtual setting in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 17, 2020  |  Druid Heights and Heritage Crossing added to successful homeownership initiative.

July 17, 2020  |  UMB's Community Engagement Center is partnering with Project Waves to install Wi-Fi towers across West Baltimore to provide free internet access to hundreds of families.

June 16, 2020  |  UMB鈥檚 Community Engagement Center moves its weekly exercise classes to a virtual platform in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 12, 2020  |  Promise Heights initiative chief Bronwyn Mayden and Union Baptist Senior Pastor Rev. Alvin Hathaway talk about coping and thriving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 6, 2020  |  UMB's Community Engagement Center teamed with Southwest Baltimore鈥檚 Arabber Preservation Society to deliver 2,000 pounds of frozen chicken to West Baltimore.

April 20, 2020  |  The UMB Community Engagement Center delivers dozens of donated care packages to PAL Program families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 7, 2020  |  UMB is collecting monetary donations to help order food from local businesses and provide free lunches to essential employees working on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

February 13, 2020  |  The 爆料公社, Baltimore welcomes Tyrone Roper, MSW, as the new director of the Community Engagement Center.

January 8, 2020  |  The 爆料公社, Baltimore lights up campus buildings in a show of "Purple Pride" for the hometown Baltimore Ravens football team.

December 26, 2019  |  West Baltimore residents gather to bid farewell to Dr. Perman in his transition from UMB president to USM Chancellor; enjoy holiday cheer at Community Engagement Center.

December 6, 2019  |  The 爆料公社 School of Medicine marked three decades of outreach to West Baltimore during Project Feast on Thanksgiving Day.

November 13, 2019  |  A top-tier multidisciplinary team confronted the challenges of chronic pain at a community discussion.

November 11, 2019  |  Third-grade students from three Baltimore City schools got a tasty lesson in healthy eating and exercising habits through the Kids to the Farmers Market Program.

October 30, 2019  |  The 爆料公社, Baltimore (UMB) is expanding its outreach to the surrounding West Baltimore community with the groundbreaking of a brand-new Community Engagement Center.

September 23, 2019  |  爆料公社, Baltimore Invites Community Members and City Leaders to Celebrate the Groundbreaking of $8 Million Community Engagement Center; Ravens' Hall of Famer Ray Lewis to Attend

September 6, 2019  |  UMB鈥檚 Fall Fest 2019 attracted hundreds for outdoor fun.

August 22, 2019  |  This summer, the Grid hosted some of Baltimore's best and brightest teenagers for the five-week Bet on Baltimore program.

August 21, 2019  |  Donated vehicles increase access to programs, field trips.

July 31, 2019  |  爆料公社, Baltimore to begin renovation of $8 million Community Engagement Center as centerpiece of its community campus.

July 24, 2019  |  This summer 78 students are participating in the Summer Bioscience Internship Program, one sector of the YouthWorks Program at UMB.

July 12, 2019  |  An interactive event held by the 爆料公社 School of Pharmacy PATIENTS Program aims to improve the way research is understood by community residents, patients, and researchers.

June 6, 2019  |  The 爆料公社, Baltimore (UMB)鈥檚 Project SEARCH graduation ceremony featured a mix of revelry and reunion with the Class of 2019 celebrating completion of the internship program.

May 24, 2019  |  West Baltimore children shared the spotlight with UMB police officers at the Black Cherry Puppet Theater through the Police Athletic/Activities League.

May 10, 2019  |  爆料公社, Baltimore President Jay A. Perman, MD, delivers the sixth annual State of the University Address.

May 3, 2019  |  The 爆料公社, Baltimore holds its fourth annual neighborhood health and arts festival for West Baltimore residents.

April 11, 2019  |  With the stroke of a dozen paintbrushes, students from Renaissance Academy High School along with First Lady Yumi Hogan put the finishing touches on a brand-new mural.

March 29, 2019  |  爆料公社, Baltimore President Jay A. Perman, MD, weighs in on report at State of Downtown Breakfast

March 28, 2019  |  Ninth-grade students from P-TECH Healthcare at Dunbar had the opportunity to visit R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center for a unique, hands-on experience.

March 22, 2019  |  Maryland Carey Law clinics are working with the NAACP to address the disparate impacts of climate change on communities of color.

March 6, 2019  |  West Baltimore middle school students got the chance to be certified in Stop the Bleed training then present their own life-saving invention to a room of pharmacy students and professionals at UMB.

February 12, 2019  |  In partnership with Port Discovery, UMB has given more than 100 families at James McHenry Elementary/Middle School free, year-long memberships to the Baltimore children's museum.

January 15, 2019  |  UMB's Live Near Your Work Program offers eligible employees $16,000 toward the purchase of a home in the surrounding community.

December 6, 2018  |  Neighbors From West Baltimore Can Buy Holiday Presents at a Deep Discount thanks to the 爆料公社, Baltimore鈥檚 Community Engagement Center and Foundry Church

November 29, 2018  |  The 爆料公社 School of Medicine, with the support of volunteers from UMB and beyond, welcomes hundreds to a festive Thanksgiving meal.

November 28, 2018  |  Farmers, landowners, environmentalists, and other agricultural stakeholders benefited from the daylong Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference on Nov. 8, 2018.

November 2, 2018  |  Third-graders from three Baltimore schools get the chance to learn about health and nutrition through the Kids To The Farmers Market Program.

October 30, 2018  |  The 爆料公社, Baltimore鈥檚 Community Engagement Center is once again playing a role in civic affairs by hosting an early voting site for the 2018 Maryland General Election.

October 22, 2018  |  Officers from the 爆料公社, Baltimore Police Force pulled on aprons and hair nets to serve dinner at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge of Baltimore.

October 19, 2018  |  UMB President Jay A. Perman, MD, asks Baltimore business and civic leaders to apply the same effort used to transform Baltimore's downtown to improving its Westside community.

September 17, 2018  |  West Baltimore children shared the spotlight with UMB police officers at the Black Cherry Puppet Theater through the Police Athletic/Activities League.

September 13, 2018  |  UMB President Jay A. Perman, MD, explained the benefits of the P-TECH technology education program at a gathering of government, business, and education leaders in Annapolis.

August 10, 2018  |  Despite stormy skies, UMB鈥檚 National Night Out reinforced the relationships between the university's Police Force, Community and Engagement Center, and West Baltimore neighbors with a free cookout.

UMB/UMMC Community Engagement Strategic Plan

Visit the  and download the UMB/UMMC Community Engagement Strategic Plan.