The GBC team has been busy at work on the plans for the first annual obstacle race designed to raise funds to fuel the mentoring programs for local children and young adults.

The statistics are sobering:

172 children and young adults under the age of 18 were victims of homicide between 2002 and 2007, based on a report by A Report from The Office of Epidemiology and Planning and The Office of Youth Violence Prevention Baltimore City Health Department.

Among U.S. youth, homicide is the greatest cause of death of young African Americans

How mentoring makes a difference:

A study by Proctor and Gamble of mentoring in Cincinnati schools showed that young people with mentors were more likely to

• Stay in school
• Attend classes
• Be less disruptive when attending class
• Get better grades
• Go to college

The mission of Greater Baltimore Cares is to provide the mentoring benefits that will generate more positive statistics concerning our young people through the recruitment of mentors and the establishment of partnerships with the organizations and other institutions that expand a young person’s vision of the their future. Stay tuned to this blog site for more information, as we will soon be announcing the formal details for this exciting and fun filled event.