Mayor Scott's Paid Community Lab Kicks Off May 18, Application Process Unclear | The Locally Times
Mayor Brandon Scott's 12-week paid leadership program, launching May 18, promises to empower residents for neighborhood revitalization and public safety, but the city has yet to release application details or participant pay.
Baltimore residents can get paid to transform their own neighborhoods this spring through Mayor Brandon M. Scott's new 12-week Community Action Lab. Set to begin May 18, the initiative aims to equip city residents, small business owners, and community partners with practical skills for driving neighborhood revitalization and advancing public safety. The program, which officially launched April 1, 2026, will run through August 7, 2026. ## Program Structure and Missing Details The Community Action Lab is a paid, in-person leadership course designed to build practical skills over twelve weeks. While the City of Baltimore's press release describes the opportunity, it does not specify the exact payment amount participants will receive. Similarly, city records do not detail the specific location where sessions will be held, nor the eligibility criteria or application process for interested residents. The curriculum focuses on community development, violence prevention, environmental design, and neighborhood improvement, seeking to empower participants to lead sustainable, community-driven solutions directly within their neighborhoods. ## Collaborative Approach to Public Safety This initiative represents a partnership between the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), the Baltimore Police Department, and the Baltimore City Innovation Team (i-Team). This collaboration forms part of the City's broader Neighborhood Public Safety Plan, previously known as the Neighborhood Policing Plan. The program's design incorporates insights derived from models used by the University of Baltimore, the Newark Public Safety Collaborative (NPSC), and SafeGrowth®. The Community Action Lab emphasizes capacity-building and equipping residents to help transform their own communities, with an initial focus on engaged residents and emerging leaders within Baltimore's Northern District. ## Residents for Neighborhood Revitalization Building on Baltimore's public safety progress, the city's press release highlights a nearly 60% reduction in homicides and nonfatal shootings over the last five years. The Community Action Lab aims to further this progress by directly involving residents in public safety efforts and neighborhood improvement. Participants will gain hands-on experience and practical skills, and they will also have the opportunity to design and implement grant-funded neighborhood improvement projects within their communities. This initiative underscores a strategy of investing in community-led, data-backed solutions for lasting change. ## Key Questions Answered **What is the Community Action Lab?** The Community Action Lab is a 12-week paid leadership program launched by Mayor Brandon M. Scott, designed to equip Baltimore residents with skills in community development, violence prevention, and neighborhood improvement. **When do sessions for the program begin and end?** Sessions for the Community Action Lab are scheduled to take place from May 18, 2026, through August 7, 2026. **How can residents apply for this program?** The City of Baltimore has not yet released details on the application process or eligibility requirements for participants.