Baltimore, MD

Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young and the Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs (MIMA) continue to promote Baltimore as a welcoming city through its economic development and community well-being initiatives, such as its citizenship projects. Partnering with the Paul D. Coverdell Returned Peace Corps Fellows program at the University of Maryland-School of Social Work, MIMA was able to designate a dedicated staff member to the development and coordination of naturalization tools, programs and efforts. Currently, MIMA’s efforts include resource mapping of existing naturalization services and financial products and their accessibility, coordinating communication among service providers and the development of a small dollar loan program for naturalization fees for city residents. MIMA will also promote access to existing city services and small business, higher education, community well-being and homeownership initiatives among the citizenship loan program applicants and their communities.