OVERVIEW
Since 1972, The St. Ambrose Outreach Center has worked to improve the lives of individuals and families in Southern
Park Heights, a low-income neighborhood in northwest Baltimore City. The center’s mission is to help low-income families
become self-sufficient and realize their potential by helping them provide safe and nurturing home environments, adequate
family resources, strong social support networks, and a safe nurturing community environment. A recently completed $2.1 million
expansion and Renovation has allowed SAOC to remain at it’s original site while expanding a commitment to work with
community residents in identifying their needs and developing collaborative programs and services to help meet those needs.
Click here to see the Center's beginnings
PROGRAMS
Learn to Earn – Education
SAOC has adopted a Learn to Earn literacy model that
focuses on helping adults gain the necessary skill to meet their individual goals. The program has three levels: Adult
Basic Education, Pre-GED, and GED preparation. Other components include computer training and employment readiness training.
The program combines class instruction and one-on-one tutoring, where appropriate. The Center offers both day and evening
classes.
Learn to Earn – Employment
The Learn to Earn Employment program helps both unemployed and employed
individuals find and retain jobs. Career options are improved through skills assessment, education, training programs, and
career planning. Other components include: Job readiness, life skills classes, job club, employment retention services, mentoring
and peer support. The program emphasizes technology and the use of computers. SAOC is working with a number of local businesses
and employers to develop internship positions and to provide literacy services in support of existing employer-training programs.
The expected outcome for all participants is to find jobs that pay a living wage, provide benefits, and to allow for continuing
improvement of skills and wages.
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Computer Technology
The Computer Technology Program works in conjunction with the Learn to Earn Program
to assist individuals in succeeding in the new age of information technology. The computer lab, featuring 20 state of the
art computers, is the sight for classes in Microsoft Word, Excel and Access as well as typing for beginning to advanced level
students.
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Youth Programs
SAOC provides after school and summer programs for youth ages 6-17. A social development
strategy strengthens participants bonds to adults, peers and the community by helping them develop necessary social skills
such as problem solving, decision-making, communication, peer resistance and conflict resolution. SAOC youth programs seek
to increase academic performance and strengthen participants’ commitment to education. Our after school and teen program
attract 80 to 120 students and seek to maintain high levels of attendance and participation. Through the SVDP Head Start Program,
the Center is also an SVDP Head Start site for 3-4 year olds.
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Family Support
SAOC offers a variety of programs and services to help families and individuals work
through temporary crises. The focus of the Family Support Program is to assist individuals and families in identifying
options they have to solve their own problems. The program offers a food pantry, meal program, and emergency financial assistance
for rent, utilities and transportation. Counseling is offered in conflict resolution, parenting skills coaching, domestic
violence, health care referral and financial management. Through the Center’s partnership and referral network, participants
have access to other community services such as parenting and pregnancy classes, substance abuse programs, childcare, transportation,
mental or physical health services, and other training and educational programs.
Click here to view photos
St. Ambrose Outreach Center, 3445 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: 410-225-0870 Fax: 410-383-1490
