August & September Gave-Back: Planning Gatherings of Care, Joy, and Resources for Youth and Families in 21217 and Beyond

The Impact of Community Engagement

The impact was clear! On August 16, community residents flooded the area as #WeThe410 began. Ask.Beans and Baltimore Stream House collaborated with community members and organizations to create a vibrant scene. A table covered in backpacks, clothing, books, toys, Narcan, hot meals, free internet boxes, and smiles awaited eager participants. Strategic, meaningful, and impactful moments took root. A corner-blooming initiative was being watered and fueled.

The energy was hopeful. The sounds were bold and nostalgic, resonating with the rhythms and movements expressed by community residents that day. DJ Stapha mixed oldies, goodies, and cultural favorites as families lined up to receive resources and warm welcomes. The block came alive with dance, music, and young people showing up, while families met new allies. The Arch Social Club generously opened its doors with open arms and curious hearts.

Addressing the Needs of Our Youth

As schools prepared to open, youth participants needed to come in with backpacks in hand, ready to learn. According to a study by the Office of Health and Specialized Student Services, over 4,300 students in Baltimore were identified as experiencing housing displacement. Alarmingly, 1 in 3 youths in Baltimore live below the poverty line—nearly triple the state average. With so many barriers affecting stability, how can youths begin the school year with their needs met and their minds focused on education? The answer lies in community involvement and intervention.

There was a moment, somewhere between the music and the bonding, when it became clear that this could not just be a one-time event. You could feel it in the way elders pulled up chairs, in the way young people lingered, and in the way neighbors reconnected like they were breathing fresh air. The block wasn’t just receiving resources; it was receiving attention, affirmation, and joy. That feeling motivated us to continue this work.

A Second Chance for Community Connection

September called for #WeThe410 to take place all over again. We offered haircuts, clothes for families of all ages, hygiene items with UChoose under YO Baltimore, and more music and movement. Across both events, we served over 150 people, thanks to partners like The Gray Foundation, which brought in clothing donations, and 988 Helpline, which provided information on mental health aid in Baltimore. The Arch Social Club opened their doors and lent us their youth interns for the day. Baltimore Stream House dreamed up a visionary approach to giving back, while Ask.Beans orchestrated strategy, partnerships, and creativity to bring the idea to life.

Each partner brought their own flavor of impact to #WeThe410. The Gray Foundation focused on resource distribution with grace and compassion. The 988 Helpline staff created a safe mental health presence. Arch Social Club rooted us in history and care. Baltimore Stream House moved the crowd, coordinated volunteers, and brought joy and music. Ask.Beans held the logistics, relationships, and design that shaped the flow. It truly took all of us. It was the embodiment of a collective effort.

The Power of Giving Back

In August, we passed out more than 70 backpacks and supply kits. We distributed Narcan and harm reduction tools. Xfinity placed free internet boxes directly into the hands of families who needed them most.

In September, barbers and stylists provided free haircuts to youth, elders, families, and parents. UChoose helped us distribute hygiene items that families rarely receive at giveaways like this one. Each month stretched further than the last, and the demand only grew.

At one point, young people danced continuously, leaping with joy, grinning with delight, and celebrating unity. This was the essence of it all, embodied by the younger generation. A middle-aged man challenged the group to a dance-off, igniting memories, spins, and dips. A family with three children managed to leave with backpacks for each of them. Every interaction was filled with photo opportunities, videos, and community collaboration.

Why Host This on Pennsylvania Avenue, North Avenue, and Nearby Neighborhoods?

Under-funded, under-served, and overlooked areas like Pennsylvania and North Avenues see high rates of overdose and housing displacement. In these past two months, Penn North (near Pennsylvania and North) witnessed multiple mass-overdose events, reminding us that harm reduction and resource access must be front-and-center.

After two powerful months, our next step is clear: bring #WeThe410 back in the new year with even greater intention. The needs are rising. The community is responding. Partners across Baltimore are already reaching out to join the movement. Pennsylvania and North Avenue deserve consistent care, visibility, and resources. This is only the beginning.

Join Us in Creating Lasting Change

If you believe in the power of consistent community care, we invite you to partner with us.

Whether through supplies, funding, collaboration, or simply spreading the word, your support helps us expand what’s possible. Together, we are creating a Baltimore where no youth starts the month unseen or unsupported.

Does this sound like your type of community involvement? Contact us at AskBeans.Org to become a member of the movement. Next Partnership meeting is January 24, 2026. RSVP on Eventbrite