As a part of UMB's broader mission, the Community Engagement Center (CEC) reflects a long-standing commitment to working alongside West Baltimore residents to advance shared goals around health, stability, and well-being. UMB's community and civic engagement efforts focus on three priority areas: improve health and wellness outcomes, with a particular focus on public health disparities; strengthen education and employment pathways by equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive; and support economic and community development by building the financial and social capital necessary for long-term, community-driven change.
First established in 2015 and expanded into a new space in 2020 in response to growing community engagement, the CEC is housed in a renovated 20,000-square-foot historic building at 16 S. Poppleton St. The space is bright, open, and welcoming, and is nearly seven times larger than the original center.
This growth, in response to more than 40,000 visits from community members since 2015, reflects UMB’s deep and ongoing engagement with the surrounding neighborhoods. Today, the CEC continues to welcome neighbors, operate programming, and provide a safe space for community members to access the resources necessary to achieve their goals.
