Community Engagement Center

Community Engagement Center

The Community Engagement Center (CEC) in Poppleton is where local residents partner with UMB on mutually beneficial goals. The CEC serves adults and children and offers a variety of programs that leverage University resources to meet community-identified needs such as exercise, food, and after-school and educational programming.

UMB’s New Community Engagement Center: Ready and Waiting to Welcome the Community

The University of Maryland Baltimore's (UMB's) new Community Engagement Center (CEC) is the cornerstone of UMB’s Community Campus, a location and concept that demonstrate a deep commitment to strengthening West Baltimore in collaboration with the neighbors who live there. The CEC is where UMB works hand-in-hand with neighbors to support them in achieving their career goals and giving children a safe place to learn and play. And it is now even better equipped to partner with our community to reach our common goals of health, security, and well-being.

The new CEC is architecturally stunning, employing some of the original architectural elements of the historic 20,000-square-foot building at 16 S. Poppleton Street. It is bright, open, airy, welcoming, and close to seven times larger than the original center that opened in 2015.

Growing in response to the recorded 40,000-plus visits from men, women, teens, and children who have engaged with its services and programming since 2015, UMB looks forward to opening the new building to welcome neighbors, provide partnership for job development, offer children safe spaces, host health and fitness programs, and connect neighbors with resources.

UMB’s commitment to the community is stronger than ever. We look forward to welcoming you into our expanded and renovated home as soon as health and safety protocols allow! Until then, sign up for our newsletter to stay abreast of virtual programming and community happenings.

Read more in UMB News.

The new building provides dedicated space for a variety of programming, such as: ▾

 

  • Police Athletic/Activities League: UMBPAL is a collaboration between the CEC and UMB Police Department whose primary goal is to nurture relationships between police officers and neighborhood children through mentorship and after-school activities and field trips.
  • Emerging Leaders Academy: ELA is a program that will assist youths ages 12-16 from low-income, largely African-American households in West Baltimore with civic, career, and college readiness.
  • Summer YouthWorks: This program provides Baltimore students ages 16-21 with the opportunity to complete a five-week internship in various UMB schools and departments.
  • CURE Scholars learning space: The UMB CURE Scholars Program is a comprehensive mentoring program that excites students about science education and aims to steer them toward rewarding careers in health care, cancer research, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
  • STEAM Maker’s Space: STEAM education adds art to the educational mix along with science, technology, engineering, and math.
  • Health services from UMB Health Alliance: This program provides preventive health education to community members relative to the major health issues in West Baltimore, including asthma, hypertension, diabetes, and mental health.
  • Free community meeting space
  • JustAdvice Clinic: This service provides legal consultations that are free of charge and confidential.
  • Computer lab: Free and available on a daily basis for community members to print, scan, and send documents; take courses online; apply for jobs; pay bills; and check email.
  • Produce in a SNAP!
  • Baltimore Gift Economy
  • Monthly community meals
  • Wellness activities and health and fitness classes: Activities include yoga, line dancing, and Zumba.
  • Workforce Wednesdays: This initiative provides job support and training.

MONTHLY COMMUNITY MEAL

The CEC hosts a monthly community meal to bring neighbors together with University students, faculty, and staff. It is one of our longest-standing programs and consistently enjoys huge attendance. Since opening in October 2015, we have welcomed over 38,000 visitors to the Community Engagement Center.

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. 

PROGRAMS
Come check out our wide variety of programs that provide opportunities for neighbors of UMB!

Upcoming Events