A note from our Executive Director

Turnaround Tuesday began as a shared vision among a group of dedicated individuals who saw a need in our community and refused to stand idly by. We knew that too many of our neighbors, particularly those who’ve faced legal challenges, were being left behind and shut out of opportunities.

 

In those early days, we hit the streets of East Baltimore, knocking on doors and building relationships with anyone who would listen. We forged partnerships with community organizations like Zion Baptist Church and BUILD (Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development), and we began to connect with employers who were willing to take a chance on our participants.

 

I'll never forget the first time we brought a group of Turnaround Tuesday participants to a breakfast meeting with the presidents and CEOs of Baltimore's hospitals and universities. As our participants shared their stories and their dreams for the future, I watched as the faces of those executives changed from skepticism to understanding to a genuine commitment to be part of the solution.

 

From those humble beginnings, Turnaround Tuesday has grown into a movement that has transformed countless lives. We have placed over 2100 individuals in jobs, and we have expanded our reach to multiple locations across the city. Our essential skills training program has become a national model for preparing individuals not just to get a job, but to build a career.

 

I want to thank each and every one of you who has been a part of this journey - our funders, our partners, our board members, our staff, and most of all, our participants. Your belief in our mission and your unwavering support have made all the difference.

 

Together, we are not just changing lives; we are building a movement that will transform our city and our world for generations to come. I am humbled and honored to be a part of it, and I look forward to seeing what the next ten years will bring.

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With gratitude and hope,

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Melvin Wilson