The State of Maryland opened a mass vaccination site at the Baltimore City Convention Center.
Find locations and providers through the State’s vaccine locator tool.
If you are over 65 and you live in Baltimore City, you can fill in the interest form and you will be contacted by a Maryland Access Point (MAP) Ambassador when appointments become available. You can also call 410-396-CARE (2273) to reach our MAP Call Center if you are over 65.
Additional testing links and opportunities to make appointments or request a vaccine include:
- Coronavirus 2019 Baltimore City;
- Lifebridge Health;
- MedStar;
- COVID-19 Information- Hopkins;
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information- Mercy.
If you live in Baltimore City and are eligible for a vaccine, but WORK in Baltimore County, you may get a vaccine through the County. This will not make an appointment for you but will put you on a list to be emailed as soon as an appointment is available.
Local Resources
Civic Works Affordable Produce Delivery Program
Civic Works’ Mobile Farmers Market offers $5 “Farmers Choice” produce boxes to Baltimore City Older Adults (55+) delivered to your door. Call (410) 826-5955 on Mondays at 9 am.
Diabetes Prevention Program
The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a year-long educational program that teaches healthy lifestyle changes to promote weight
loss and help prevent diabetes. DPP includes fitness classes and nutrition education. Call 667-837-2877 for DPP information.
Fransiscan Center of Baltimore
Offers a continuum of care that includes food, clothing, emergency health services, counseling, and technology training to help clients become as self-sufficient as possible. Free lunches available Monday through Friday from 10 am to 1 pm, and free dinner Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7 pm.
Irvington Community Association
Youth lunch program every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am. 4115 Frederick Ave, Baltimore, MD 21229. Call 443-325-2049 for more info.
Joy Baltimore Clothing Closet
Every Tuesday from 4 PM to 7 PM, J.O.Y. Baltimore Presents Tuesday’s Clothing Closet offering free clothes and hygiene supplies.
Manna House
Manna House provides the homeless and poor of Baltimore City with goods and services to move towards independence and stability.
Y Fresh Mart Food Pantry
To schedule an appointment, call 410-728-1600, Monday – Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Or schedule online here.
Regional Resources
Maryland Food Bank
The Maryland Food Bank is a non-profit organization leading the movement to end hunger in Maryland.
National Resources
The National Reentry Network For Returning Citizens
Helps the formerly incarcerated and imprisoned to rebuild and restore their lives through committed advocacy and support.
Helpline: 1-844-916-2577
Registration for our summer in-person Connect program session is now open! Click the link below for more information and get ready to join us for the entire month of June as we kick off our Keep Kids Connected Summer Campaign!
With summer nearly upon us, we invite you to join us as we explore the two largest blindness/low vision groups in the United States throughout the month of May. Regardless of whether you plan to participate in a convention this summer, we will cover the ins and outs of these organizations and how they can provide support to transition-age students.
In this fourth installment of our organization exploration, we hear from student leaders in each consumer group.
Maryland Association of Blind Students
Qualik Ford serves as president of the Maryland Association of Blind Students. In this interview, he shares information about what the Maryland Association of Blind Students does and how to contact them.
- Listen to Qualik Ford’s interview with Bridges Helpdesk Coordinator Hindley Williams
- Transcript of Interview with Qualik Ford for Blind-Low Vision Consumer Groups — Students in the NFB and the ACB
American Council of Blind Students
Aaron Espinoza serves as president of the American Council of Blind Students. In this interview, he shares information about what the American Council of Blind Students does and how to contact them.
- Listen to Aaron Espinoza’s interview with Bridges Helpdesk Coordinator Hindley Williams
- Transcript of Interview with Aaron Espinoza for Blind-Low Vision Consumer Groups — Students in the NFB and the ACB
Contact us
Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:
- Our Accessible web form
- Email: Helpdesk@imagemd.org
- Text: Send to: (410) 305-9199
- Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page or Facebook Messenger
- Voice mail: Call (443) 320-4003, leave a voice mail message, and we will return your call
This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.
 News from IMAGE Teen and Young Adult Programs May 2022 Highlights Congratulations to our 2022 Student of the Year Ciara Gentry  IMAGE: Student of the Year Ciara Gentry speaking into a microphone alongside IMAGE Staff Amanda Taylor on stage during the Solutions Celebration. Congratulations to Ms. Ciara Gentry for her acceptance of the 2022 Student of the Year award at this years Solutions celebration. Since participating in IMAGE teen and young adult programs Ciara has served not only as a program participant, but as a peer mentor and role model for her peers. We are so proud of you and your growth toward success and independence Ciara! |
 |
 |
In-Person Programming Plan of Action
COVID-19 Coronavirus & Contagious Virus In-Person Programming Plan of Action
Teen and Young Adult Service Programs
Updated for all teen and young adult in person programming through September 2022.
The IMAGE Center is acting to keep staff and consumers safe to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other contagious viruses easily spread through our community.
Here’s how we’re doing our part:
Follow our Leaders. We follow all State guidance related to education-based activities, including reopening actions and face covering requirements on the State of Maryland for reopening advisements and Governor’s orders.
Flexible scheduling. In-person and virtual program options will remain available.
Reduce contamination risk. Program materials will be sanitized prior to and after program use.
Before you join us in person, please:
Monitor your health and interactions.
Join us online instead if you have:
Cough, shortness of breath, fever, or any other symptoms of COVID-19 or other contagious viruses.
Recent exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or other contagious viruses.
Staff will perform temperature checks upon arrival. Students with a temperature of 100+ will not be permitted to participate and will need to provide a negative PCR COVID test to return to programming. Students with seasonal allergies should not attend programs if symptoms cannot be remedied with over the counter or prescribed medications. Students will not be permitted to participate if they exhibit symptoms.
Prepare and pack. Bring a backpack with items you will need for the duration of the program including: water, a snack, beach towel, sunscreen and writing or communication device.
Take precaution. Hand sanitation will be provided for check-in, transitions and check-out.
Respect personal space. Activities will be designed with respect for social distancing and mindful spacing.
Talk about it. Please contact us at youthservices@imagemd.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Peer Mentor Spotlight
IMAGE: Peer Mentor looking over a paper and holding a pencil as a teen program participant looks on.
Peer Mentor Application is CLOSED!
Applications for students wishing to become Peer Mentors for the Spring session of the Connect program are now CLOSED.
Interested in applying for Summer Peer Mentorship? Email Jessica Leone for upcoming application windows.
Questions? Email Jessica Leone at Jleone@imagemd-org
Celebrating Fearless Moments
IMAGE: Five young women posing together in front of a store front smiling and holding shopping bags.
Fearlessly Ciara, Karissa, Rebecca, Tamari and Sam~
While every teen and young adult program at IMAGE is designed to strengthen connections among peers, one of our greatest goals is for program participants to begin making connections eventually on their own. Most times the thought of making those connections can be scary and overwhelming, but these five amazing ladies have learned to be fearless in their life choices. Ciara, Karissa, Rebecca, Tamari and Sam have all spent much time with us at IMAGE throughout the years as they continue to explore their young adult lives so imagine our joy when this image came through to our inbox with the words “”I thought you would be proud of us”. “I am proud of us”. To see these five ladies continue to build their social connections and their community connections together outside of our programs is the absolute goal that we strive for at IMAGE. Thank you for sharing with us your time together ladies! We are always proud of you and can’t wait to see where you go next!
Here is to being FEARLESSLY you today!
Have a fearless moment to share? Email Jess Leone at jleone@imagemd.org
Upcoming Events
The Connect Program
Spring Connect has ended. Stay tuned for summer registration!
Contact jleone@imagemd.org learn more.
PreETS Self Awareness and Self Advocacy Training Program in collaboration with DORS
What does your child have planned this summer?
Join the IMAGE CenterFriday, July 22nd from 10-3pm at Harford Community Collegefor a day of self-advocacy, connections and fun.
This free event will include self-awareness and self-advocacy curriculum-based activities, guest speakers, pizza lunch and hands on lessons designed to engage students in building connections with both themselves and their peers while on the HCC campus.
IMPORTANT Registration requirements: Students must be referred by DORS to attend this training. Please see information below for training curriculum, eligibility and obtaining a referral.
Already been referred by DORS and contacted by The IMAGE Center for this training?
Click here to Register
REFERRED APPLICANTS ONLY! See below if your child has not yet been referred for this training.
Self Awareness and Self Advocacy (SASA) Training is a collaborative partnership program between The IMAGE Center and The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS).
What benefit does this training provide?
● Empowerment for teens and young adults to explore skills of self awareness and self advocacy as they relate to either college preparation or vocational exploration.
● Information on disability disclosure, rights and accommodations related to college bound and career bound students.
● Personalized goal setting and skill building in relation to increased independent living. ● Student and family resources for all future outcomes.
Who is eligible for this FREE training? students enrolled in a secondary school (including home school or other alternative secondary education program), post-secondary education program, or other recognized educational program and has not exited, graduated, or withdrawn; students at least 14 years old but less than age 22 students have a disability documented with an IEP, 504 plan, medical records, or a doctor’s note.
To learn more about SASA training please contact: Jessica Leone, Director for Teen and Young Adult Services at The IMAGE Center 443-275-9396 or jleone@imagemd.org
All registrants will need a direct referral from DORS to get started:
Already connected with a DORS counselor? Contact your counselor directly and ask for a referral for the PreETS Training provided by The
IMAGE Center. Not yet connected with DORS? Simply follow the link to request a referral. A case file for referral will be created for you and you
should be contacted by DORS within 10 days. https://dors.maryland.gov/consumers/Pages/referral.aspx