This past spring, Maryland (MD) PROMISE completed its second year of intervention delivery to participating youth and their families. The research and demonstration project completed its recruitment of 2,000 youth, with a total of 996 youth enrolled in the enhanced services group. Employment is a key outcome of PROMISE, and in 2015, 224 youth obtained a paid work experience over the summer. Of those, 118 were paid directly by the employers, 54 were enrolled in existing summer work programs, and 52 received paid stipends through MD PROMISE. Click here to read an inspiring success story of a Baltimore City MD PROMISE youth.

“Brittany” joined MD PROMISE in her junior year of high school. She’d been struggling with her grades and had a negative attitude towards school and her classmates. MD PROMISE staff worked closely and diligently with Brittany, and, together, they created a list of goals for her life after high school. Brittany wanted to graduate and study business at a two-year community college, before transferring to a four-year college program. MD PROMISE staff assisted Brittany by breaking up her goals into smaller ones. One by one, Brittany worked very hard to achieve each goal by being more mindful of her attitude, working hard in class and completing her assignments, and attending tutoring sessions when she needed assistance. In the summer before her senior year, Brittany worked two jobs simultaneously, mastering time management. With improved grades and confidence, Brittany graduated high school on time. Her self-advocacy skills have skyrocketed and she was recently hired in a full-time salaried position. In the fall, she’ll balance her job while attending local community college studying business.