Building STEPS Alumni Council, which is spearheaded by eight program alumni and supports the collective success of Building STEPS college students and professionals by planning and implementing professional and personal development programs, will participate in Giving Tuesday, November 28, by giving back to the community by distributing 150 packages of blankets and gloves to Baltimore City’s homeless communities. The Council enlisted the 104 Building STEPS high school juniors in the packaging effort.

Building STEPS alumni and students spent several days packaging the blankets and gloves along with a message of hope in time for Giving Tuesday. “Instead of asking for funds during Giving Tuesday as many nonprofits do, we decided to take a different approach and encouraged our students to be on the giving side,” said Debra Hettleman, Chief Executive Officer. “The Alumni Council jumped right in and are raising funds amongst themselves to cover the costs of the care packages. Our alumni are remarkable and are the future of our city.”

The Alumni Council selected Health Care for the Homeless and Paul’s Place to distribute the packages to their clients. This year, Health Care for the Homeless anticipates serving nearly 10,000 individuals and Paul’s Place anticipates serving 3,500 individuals.

“Giving back to Baltimore shows that Building STEPS is not only a resource for Baltimore City students but it’s also a resource for the community in which the students live,” said Kieara Thomas, Alumni Council Chair.

Building STEPS is a nonprofit that equips our city’s brightest students with the tools to propel them to college and career success. Through a multi-year continuum of STEM-centric programming of exposure and support, more than 80 percent of Building STEPS graduates earn a college degree.

Health Care for the Homeless works to prevent and end homelessness for vulnerable individuals and families by providing quality, integrated health care and promoting access to affordable housing.

Paul’s Place supports individuals and families living in Southwest Baltimore City, providing access to high quality health care, education, employment, and housing along with the other support necessary for stability and self-sufficiency.