FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2012

Contacts: Brice Freeman, Communications, 410-396-1910, @oedworks.com Ernest Dorsey, Youth Services, 410-396-6722, @oedworks.com

The Black Law Students Association Presents 2012 Impact Award to Youth Opportunity (YO!) Baltimore YO! Baltimore recognized for promoting the academic and professional development of Baltimore’s African-American community Baltimore, Maryland (March 13, 2012) –

The Black Law Students Association at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law presented a 2012 Impact Award to the Youth Opportunity (YO!) Baltimore program, which serves Baltimore City youth, 16 to 22 years of age. The Impact Award honors organizations and individuals for significantly supporting the BLSA’s mission to promote the academic and professional development of the African-American community in Baltimore. For the past 11 years, YO! Baltimore has been serving out-of-school youth and young adults by providing educational, personal development, and career preparation resources. At two youthfriendly centers, caring adults provide a wide range of support services and opportunities for participants to reach their academic and career goals. YO! Baltimore members build important life skills and participate in activities that prepare them for the workforce. Operated by the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, YO! Baltimore has a proven track record of helping young people increase their wage earnings and educational attainment while reducing recidivism, and has received national recognition as a model youth development program. The BLSA held its 37th annual scholarship and awards banquet on March 2. Representatives from MOED’s Youth Services division accepted the award on behalf of YO! Baltimore. “We are extremely honored to receive this recognition from the BLSA,” said MOED Assistant Director Ernest Dorsey, who leads the agency’s youth services division. “This award belongs to our staff members and volunteers, the other caring adults in these young people’s lives, and the youth themselves who make the most of the opportunities they are offered through the YO! Baltimore program.” For more information about YO! Baltimore, visit www.yobaltimore.org or call 410-396-6722. ### In fiscal year 2011, the Mayor's Office of Employment Development hosted more than 139,000 visits from city residents at our one-stop career centers, facilitated nearly 19,000 computer literacy training sessions at our Digital Learning Labs, and placed close to 2,700 individuals in jobs. We connected more than 5,000 youth to summer employment and assisted more than 500 businesses through our Employ Baltimore strategy. This year we are continuing our commitment to match Baltimore citizens with good jobs and satisfying careers, and to link area businesses to qualified employees.