2. Historic East Baltimore Coalition (North) Weed and Seed Site

The Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition operated the first Weed and Seed site in the state of Maryland. The original site serviced a significant portion of some of East Baltimore's most violent communities. Prior to ceasing its original operation, the site sought to replicate its successful efforts in other portions of East Baltimore. As a result, in the Fall of 2003 the Historic East Baltimore Weed and Seed (North) was established.

In keeping with the replication model, the “weeding” efforts of the site have focused upon limiting the proliferation of gun trafficking and associated violence. As a result, a critical portion of the site's law enforcement strategy was tactical street enforcement and the installation of video surveillance systems. The tactical street enforcement is responsible for drug and gun abatement in the designated target area.

The “seeding” Operation in East Baltimore is largely focused upon ensuring that local years of operation. The community-based after-school programs are delivered to communities in the target area. These sites provide a myriad of services to youth in the community including academic tutorial, computer technology and cultural enrichment programs.

In addition to funding school/community center-based programs, Weed and Seed also provides mini-grants to community-based service providers. Services provided by these groups included after-school enrichment programs, cultural awareness field trips, entrepreneurship programs, rites of passage programs, community parole and probation meetings and a host of other activities.

The Historic East Baltimore Weed and Seed (North) site has experienced considerable success in connecting with the youth of the community. The site has galvanized a core group of youth advocates, who assist in the development of youth appropriate Weed and Seed programming and initiatives. It is anticipated that these relationships will be cultivated, in an effort to create a new generation of community-based leadership in the area.