Baltimore Model Cities Program

Vol. 1 No. 8
between
the two of
I ~ D C'T>"' N ~ us
EDITORI AL
This is that certain time of vear when all seem to
open our hearts a little wider and bubble over with
the exuberant spirit of Christmas. Everyone tries
to be a little more understanding, smiles are more
abundant, and frustrations are taken in stride.
Imagine how our lives would be if we carried
this same spirit throughout the year- if we could
look at every day as though it were Christmas and
draw our inner strength from love rather than hate?
To many of us, this may appear to be an impossible
task, It is so much easier to wallow in self-pity and
let bitterness take possession of our lives than to
overcome the many obstacles which come our
way.
But rernerrber that Christ did not oome to save the
world so that its' people might slip back into a
period of darkness and despair. He came rather
as our hope with the promise of a better day. But
even with this, our lives can still be no more than
what we make them.
We should try to remember that each day we
have something to be thankful for even if it takes
us an entire day to figure out what that something
is. Let's forget the notion that a smile is something
you buy to wear on your chest. It' s all yours - free
of charge, wear it on your face.
Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a
happy New Year.
Brenda R. Ferguson
Substance
Magazine
ARTICLES PAGE
Not Just Any Clinic . ... ... . " . . .. 6
Earn and Learn .... .. . ...... .. .. . 12
Delta Living Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Teen Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 18
SPOTLIGHT
Area "0 " . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8
OPINION
Who Cares? . ....... . ... , . , . , . .. 3
Christmas Is .... .. .. .. , ., . , . .. 16
Day Care .. ... . .. ... . .. , .. , . .. 20
POETRY
Harlem ........ . . .. . , .. . ,., ... 11
Why Me ..... , .... . . . . . , . . . .. 11
KidStuff . . . .. . .... , ., .. , .. ... 13
" ALSO
Between The Two of Us ... ... . , . .. 1
Speaking Out ....... . .. ..... , . .. 2
This Month in Black History .... , . . . 5
Book Hunters . .. ............ , . .. 5
Project of the Month .. . . .. . .. , . .. 24
Hi Kids ..... . . ....... . . .. . . . ... 26
Have You Heard? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 30
Drug Abuse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 31

Who
by Uevt.nont Da,kI A. Echol.
Since the inception of the Community Relations
Program, many efforts have been made to (1) make a
determination as to what the causes may be for the
hostility demonstrated against the Fire Department,
and (2) what means may be best utilized, to improve
the image of the Department in order to reduce that
hostility. The " because we're the establishment" is
shopworn, commonplace. and bland. It may well be
true that the causes are indeed manifold. Let me cite
but a few reasons heard in this area for abject discon-
tentment with the fire service:
1. Fire Departments historically hire far too few
mmority subjects.
2. Fire service personnel have wanton disregard
for the disadvantaged.
3. Fire personnel routinely do unnecessary damage
to property in disadvantaged areas.
4. Fire personnel deliberately make slower
responses in low socio-economic areas.
5. Fire personnel use disrespectful and abusive
language when working in low socio-economic
areas; operating under dual standards, one
for the white middle class and one for the black
and poor.
6. Fire personnel is oppressive as was demon-
strated during 1965 when high pressure hose
streams were used on demonstrators in Selma
and Montgomery, Alabama.
7. Fire personnel generally reside outside of cities
and neighborhoods which they service and
are not sympathetic with or sensitive to the
causes of other's lifestyles.
8. Advancement opportunity is restricted in the
fire service as can be witnessed by the absence
of blacks in higher echelon positions.
Because of these factors, the development and
implementation of a workable and effective Community
Relations program is of all importance. Further damage
to the image and a deterioration of relations could be
avoided through united efforts of the Fire Department
and the community working towards solutions to meet
the needs of the Department and the community.
In order to address itself to possible causes of the
suspicions and ill feelings, which are self-evident in
certain communities, despite limited resources with
which to function, the following steps have been under-
taken by the Fire Department. Some, if not all, have met
with a degree of success.
THE MEDIA:
News publications have been considered and con-
tacted from the giant dailies to the one-sheet neighbor-
hood club newsletter. A great deal of interest and
enthusiasm has been generated and much attention
has been called to the plight of the Fire Department
with regard to harassment and an inordinately high rate
of false alarms. Interest has been stimulated with regard
to assistance in attracting minority applicants to the
fire service. Television has played a significant role in
the reduction of false alarms through the publicizing
of false alarm warnings particularly to those who either
do not read the papers, or confine their interest to
subjects of narrow coverage. Radio has been used
3
with great success in Baltimore, particularly those
beaming ethnic oriented programs with ethnic an-
nouncers. The predictability of reaching a special age
group and community is high, cooperations with this
medium has been exemplary.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
After much study of available
data pointing to the age composi -
tion of those identified offenders,
it is relatively clear that those exhib-
iting the most hostility against fire
apparatus and personnel are
children of school age. More
specifically, in Baltimore we can
focus discontent primarily in junior
high schools or with juveniles of
junior high school age (11-16).
This discovery was most beneficial
in that it afforded an opportunity
to work close with the social studies
programs already instituted. It not
only opened the door for estab-
lishing anti-false alarm and anti-
harassment programs, but provided
an opportunity for acquainting
students with the Fire Department
as a job opportunity as well. The
Baltimore Public Schools happily
included the Fire Department in
its Project Go Program which is
an anti-drop-out experience com-
prised of five phases in which
target schools all within problem
areas are visited repeatedly by some
30 to 40 members of diversified
industries. The exposure in this
operation has proven invaluable
and many teachers have subse-
quently contacted our Community
Relations for talks on other
occasions. It has likewise prompted
teachers, who may be otherwise
apathetic, to initiate posters, con-
tests and lectures to students on
the hazards of interferring with fire
service and sounding false alarms.
Malicious fires in schools have been
focused upon and a general aware-
e
a
ft
e.
ness has been facilitated thereby. The Junior Fire
Prevention Program, which was instituted some years
ago, reaches children of elementary school age and lays
the groundwork for indoctrination in the junior high
school setting.
Many acts involving the Fire Department within the
schools has caused many principals with special
problems, e.g. interior false alarms and malicious fires,
to make special request for the conducting of special
assemblies to which this office hastily replies.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION:
One of the most eHective means of solving the
problems of the fire service and in soliciting the assist-
ance of the pUblic, has been through establishing
contacts with various community groups and organ-
izations. With their assistance, programs were designed
to publicize the dangers in harassing and interferring
with fire fighters. Fire alarm box watchers was
organized; a Youth Awards Program was instituted;
a mailing list of most community groups is maintained
by the Community Relations OHice; and, on some
BOOK HUNTERS
TV. records, and movies, as well as books, are un-
der the scrutiny of young adults who use the Pratt
Ubrary. Using the monthly magazine, You're the Critic,
published by Pratt eight (8) times a year and edited
by student representatives of Baltimore high schools.
the young reviewers have their say.
Bryan Oundi Holt of Douglass High School com-
ments on a popular disk, BLACK MAGIC with Martha
Reeves and the Vandallas:
" Martha Reeves is the most underrated of all the
Motown singers. Actually. this beautiful sister has the
most soulful voice of all the Motown girls. She is an ac-
tress on record, deserving an Oscar for every per-
formance .... It' s enough that this is the best album
from Motown in Quite a while, but the cover alone is
reason to buy it . These girts are undoubtedly the most
beautiful and sexiest female group. (t remember the
days when Martha and the Vandellas were a group to
listen to, not to look at. Something has definitely
changed.) AU in black, straight-faced and natural , they
project a beautiful degree of Black Magic."
Angela Ennis, also of Douglass, comments on the
television show SANFORD AND SON:
" ... The program does not necessarily show
proper conduct and attitudes, but it shows what a
desperate person might do in a bind. By doing so, the
program tries to let the audience gain an understanding
of such people. The dialogue is natural to the people
living in the ghetto: ' Pop, what I'm gonna do wit' dese
bills?' ' Put ' em back in the mailbox.' The purpose of the
show is to gIve the viewers a look at some of the
problems of black people, and what these two chose to
do about them. I think the acting is good. Redd Foxx is a
seasoned performer and Demond King is very ex-
pressive. I would recommend this show to every one
because it shows the hope some black people have."
and ALL IN THE FAMILY.
" ... Archie found out , after twenty-five years of
marriage, that his wife had spent a weekend with a rival
of his before they were married. Archie was upset
because his wife, Edith, never told him about it. By
showing Archie' s reactions, the show illustrated the kinds
of misunderstandings that can result from keeping
secrets. The camerawork was good because it caught
the facial reactions of the characters ... I would recom-
mend this show to every one because it' s funny and
presents a message without being too heavy with it ."
5
'\\.n .... hi
II I( His t ..
PAUL CUFFE
(1759-18171
Sea captain and wealthy ship owner
whose law suit against unfair taxation in 1780
resulted in full civil rights for free black men in
Massachusetts.
Paul Cuffe was born on a farm which his
father, a former slave, had purchased after his
emancipation. At the age of 13, he was tutored
in the science of navigation. In 1779, Paul and
his brother David built an open boat which
they used to set up trade with people in Con-
necticut. When his brother quit the venture, he
was forced to continue alone. His cargo and
ship were at first pilfered by pirates, but he
was able to make a profit on later voyages.
In 1780, Cuffe petitioned the General
Court of Massachusetts to permit black people
to vote. Although he lost his case, his litigation
helped to bring civil rights to blacks in 1783.
Cuffe believed that slavery would end
when people were educated about Africa. In
1811 he sailed to Sierra Leone in Africa where
he met with religious leaders, British officials,
and tribal chiefs. Later, he accepted an in-
vitation from the London Colonization Society
and visited England.
In Britain, Cuffe spoke with government
officials, recruited a teacher for his school in
Africa, and succeeded in freeing an im-
prisoned African seaman. He returned to the
United States and intensified his fight for the
emancipation of the slaves by confronting
religious leaders.
Participants between the ages of 8 to 16 years of age are recruited to the clinics by an action
team which is assigned to the six Model Cities areas. It is their job to seek out young people who
do not participate in programs offered by Operation Champ and the Bureau of Recreation. All
youngsters are provided with free uniforms, equipment, and insurance. Although there are thir-
teen sports being taught, more can be provided upon request.
To date, most of the instructors have been supplied by the Bureau of Recreation. Mr. Jim Kar-
vallas, a sports announcer, has been very generous in giving some of his time to Vv'Orking with
these young people. Larry Middleton and Larry Barrett, both well -known boxers, have also offered
their expertise. The sponsors of the program, the Poets Athletic Club, were all graduates of Dun-
bar High School who felt a need to assist the inner-city community in helping themselves. Many of
them are also volunteering their services as coaches in football , basketball , and other sports.
This program was originally planned to extend from June until September. These dates were
later changed to July until March because the program was funded late. Hopefully, these dates
will also be extended.
7
9
Staff orientation provides
the foundation for estab-
lishing unity in purpose.
D. D. C. C. staff members
assist 8r8a resident in
acquiring housing in 8
Senior Citizen housing
development.
D. D. C. C. staff working at
the Department of
Employment Security to
find jobs for area residents.
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Uke a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore-
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over-
Uke a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
Uke a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
What right
have we
to ask when sorrow
comes,
Why me?
unless
We ask when joy
comes,
Why me?
gem
11
Langston Hughes
KID STUFF
A brand new pair of shiny skates
To glide in style down Fulton Street,
Ajazzy race car-see it go-
Man I'm living HIGHI
One football made of the finest skin
and boxing gloves too,
Next time he comes through.
Smell Mom baking homemade rolls
and cookies by the pile
Tom's not gOing 0 beat me eating
rYe starved myself just waiting.
Sis, I can't stand that kid, but a new
doll I hope she gets.
One of those dolls that walks and talks
and says Hello,
So I can see her brown eyes glow.
We've been good at least three days,
so we'll stay up all Christmas Eve.
Just waiting to see the fst man come!
Uh, Mom-yeah I'm coming- What
you say, Dad's gone away?
Gone where, Moml Why you crying?
Stop Mom, please tell me somethingl
... Well, anyhow, Christmas is for
silly kidsl
I'm too big-why I'm almost ten!
Man, Christmas, you must be crazy!
YHA
13
Project
"An 18 yesr old girl recently returned to her mother
from foster care. When she became pregnant, she
wished desperately to move away from her mothe,'s
home. She was an extremely bright and sensitive girl
who had never been able to forgive her mother for
p/llcing her in cere at the age of eight. Because she was
still in school, 12th grade, and had hopes for college, she
was financially unable to become independent and had
to remain on her mother's welfare check, which also
caused resentment. In order to dramatize her
predicament, through her own admission, she at-
tempted suicide, hoping to gain sympathy. As 8 result,
she was forced to abandon her plans for college and
eventually lived in tm apartment with an older gir/,
leaving her son with her mother_ which she rBally did
not want to do. Had she had some other living
arrangement, such as a group setting, where she could
have lived with the b8by, she m8y have been able to
resolve some of her problems and feel the in-
dependence which she needed. "
Statistics such as this one from the Baltimore City
Department of Social Services and the Family and Child
Care Center are unending. More than anything, they
point out the urgent need for infant education and
training for unwed mothers.
For various reasons, the majority of these girls are
ineligible for foster care services with no resources from
their immediate families. Many abandon hope of ever
experiencing a full and enriching life. They end up in a
psychological environment which perpetuates and in-
creases their condition. The Department of Social Serv-
ices and other such agencies have been unable to ef-
fectively deal with the problem because of limited serv-
ices. This leaves the problem to be resolved by some
other organization-but who?
The who is the Model Cities Delta Uving Project .
The reasons have already been stated, however, the serv-
ices exceed expectations. This program provides
housing on a temporary basis to girls, with one baby,
who ara separated from their families. In addition to
providing housing to 36 young mothers, it also hopes to
prepare the girls to become independent enough to
mova into a living arrangement within two years.
The Delta Living Project hopes to experiment with
two types of housing arrangements. Some of the girls
15
and their babies will be living in renovated houses within
the Model Cities area that have met federal , state, and
local guidelines for infant care and education. Each
residence will accommodate three mothers and their in-
fants. Parent and child will share one double room. The
Aorence Crittenton Service is one home for unwed
mothers which will also be used to house six mothers.
The situation at the Crittenton Home represents an in-
stitutionalized setting in which the girls live a very im-
personal life style. In the homes set up by the project,
house parents will offer guidance and care, and provide
a homelike setting conducive to the development of
personal relationships.
Miss Corliss Grimes, director of the project, ex-
pressed the belief that by using both of these
arrangements, the advantages of each could be easity
evaluated. "It is believed," stated Miss Grimes, "that
utilizing some of the available beds in existing residen-
ces for unwed mothers, as well as creating additional
facilities, service could be provided to the greatest num-
ber of girls.
Each girl enrolled in the program will receive a full
range of education in infant care and job placement
services appropriate to her situation. Legal, medical,
and counseling help will be available to the girls.
M's Corliss Grimes, Project Director
.. having a WHOLE apple and BOTH skates.
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.. . for Christ. That's why we call him Christ,
he is nicknamed for the holiday Christmas.
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and development;
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nWin some, lose some . .. "
27
interest and means of better methods of
communication.
Another phase of the Teen Center
program, equally as important, are the "Rap
Sessions." Within these sessions, the teens
express their views and attitudes towards

issues relevant to their lives and communities.
The sessions also serve as a guide to teens to
develop their sense of self respect, community
pride, public awareness and guidance on how
to be independent, self-reliant, and utilize all
available Model Cities and community re
sources to improve cen.ters' performance.
A fine example of this guidance was
displayed by the Teen Center located in Model
Cities Area "A". As of June 1972, the center
was functioning very poorly. The newly ap
pointed director, Mrs. Rose Thomas, decided
it was time for this to come to a halt. Because
the building was inadequate, Mrs. Thomas
contacted the local schools and made
arrangement for classes to be held in drama,
woodwork, music, rap sessions, etc. She also
arranged communications with the Maryland
Training School for Boys, which enable the
youths to jointly participate in various
programs. As a result, eleven boys joined the
teen center upon their release from the
training school.
Area A's Teen Center has also formed a
band, had a street bazaar, a talent and drama
show with the Carpet Baggers, formed the
Area A Drama Club, and, have had numerous
activities and functions to raise money for the
betterment of the center. Another of their ac
complishments was to purchase equipment
and materials to rehabilitate the center. In ad
dition, the Teen Center has been successful in
getting dropouts to re--enter school and to find
employment for these students.
The Area "A" Teen Center is setting a
good example for other teen centers and
Model Cities Programs. It is the hope of all the
Teen Centers to make the Model Neigh-
borhood Area residents more aware of the
Model Cities services available and how to best
utilize these services. It invites the com
munity to participate and be well informed
about the purpose and goals of the Teen
Centers.
Teen Center locations:
Area A 814 E. Eager Street
Area B (closed because of fire)
Area 0 704 Newington Ave.
Area E 1521 Riggs Ave.
Area F 631 Gold Street
Area G 1310W.lexington St.
I
PERSONNEL
MONTHLY REPORT
For The Month of October, 1972
Applications on Rle 1262.pplicationlpulledl . 819
Residents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Non-Residents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 502
Job Vacancies Filled . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 31
Referrals - Residents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Referrals Non-Residents . . . . . . . . . . 5
Placement Residents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Placement Non-Residents. . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Applications Received This Month . . . . . 127
Residents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 59
Non-Residents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 68
Total Applications Now on Rle . . . . . .. 946
Total Residents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 376
Total Non-Residents. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 570
A-4
B-2
0 -6
E-B
F-4
G-3
Area placement:
Total 27
VACANCIES FILLED IN
MODEL CITIES PROGRAMS
For The Month of October
PT Instructors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6
Secretaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3
Chauffeurs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6
Program Supervisor. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Planning Aide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1
Center Aide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1
Alcoholic Counselor. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1
Recreation Aides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6
Video Technologist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PT Fiscal Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
PT Doctor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1
Community Organizer . . . . . . . . . . .. 1
~ ~ .. .... ...... . . . .. .. .. 31
"
DRUG ABUSE QUIZ
1. Studies indicate that marihuana has no emotional or
psVchological effects on its users.
2. A manicure is the process of removi ng the dirt,
seeds, and stems from marihuana.
3. The use of large amounts of sedatives can produce
a transient sense of alertness and well-being.
4. A yen sleep is one produced by the effects of
narcotics.
5. Addiction is a physical and emotional dependence
on drugs.
6. The life expectancy of the addict is much lower than
that of the non-addict, and addicts of both sexes
are less fertile.
7. Hash, which comes from the top of potent
marihuana, is at least five times stronger than crude
marihuana.
8. Satch cotton is used to strain drugs before injection.
9. Bombita is an amphetamine injection sometimes
taken with heroin.
ANSWERS TO DRUG ABUSE QUIZ
1. False, the user of marihuana, especially one who is
inexperienced, may become excessively suspicious
of people and take actions which lead to injury. A
toxic psychosis consisting of mental confusion,
loss of contact with reality, and memory disturb-
ances have been recorded.
2. True.
3. False, large doses of sedatives can produce a coma
state. Confusion, slurred speech, irritability, and an
unsteady gait are often seen in chronic users.
4. True, this is a drowsy restless state which occurs
during the drug withdrawal period.
5. True. Addiction is a physical dependence which
includes the development of tolerance and
withdrawal.
6. True.
7. True.
8. True.
9. True.
Speaking Out
(ContinlHld from PlJg.21
we must transform education so that our children can
walk into the twenty-first century.
I have not yet mentioned the question of race, or
the documented facts of sociology or economics, (under-
privi lege, disadvantage, and deprived.) Nor, even now,
will I say much about them, except this: They are facts
of the 20th century and have been so for three centuries
before. That being so, makes it five, ten, even, a hundred
times more important that we understand what has
been said. let us not continue this tragedy into the
21st century. PREPAREI I
The Model Cities Agency spends about two million
dollars ($2,000,000.001 on education. Thi s year on a
tight budget, Baltimore City will spend about two
hundred million dollars ($200,000,000.00) on it. The
Education Department has the largest annual budget
of any city department. The money is en investment
in the future, everybody's future.