Summer Survival & Your June Action Plan
⚖️ KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: CHILDREN, FAMILIES & HOUSING
With kids home for the summer, more family members spending time at home, and visitors more common, it's worth knowing what protections you and your family have in supportive housing. Many of these rights are misunderstood — read carefully.
- Children Have a Right to Be in Your Home: Fair Housing law protects families with children. A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you, evict you, or restrict your unit because you have kids. Restrictions like "no children in common areas" or "children must stay in the unit" are usually illegal.
- Reasonable Guests Are Allowed: Your lease may have rules about overnight guests, but you have the right to have family members visit. If your lease says guests can only stay a few nights per month, that limit is usually only for long-term stays — not short visits. Read your lease and ask your case manager about specifics.
- Custody Changes Don't Automatically Affect Your Housing: If you gain or lose custody, or if your household composition changes, you must report it to CHA within 10 days. Adding a child to your household usually does NOT cause you to lose your housing — it may actually qualify you for a larger unit or additional benefits.
- Domestic Violence Protections: Federal VAWA law protects survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking from being evicted because of the abuse. You can also request lock changes or transfer to a different unit. Confidentiality is required.
- School Stability Rights: Under the McKinney-Vento Act, children experiencing housing instability have the right to stay in their school of origin and receive transportation, even if they move. Contact your school's homeless liaison or call (443) 642-3500.
Family or housing legal questions? Call Maryland Legal Aid at (410) 539-5340, House of Ruth Maryland at (410) 889-7884 (domestic violence), or your CHA case manager.
STEP 1: Set Up Your Cooling Plan Before the Heat Hits
Heat-related illness kills more Marylanders each year than tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods combined. Plan now: identify the coolest room in your home and seal it off; know your nearest cooling center (call 211 or visit any public library); apply for OHEP cooling assistance at MarylandBenefits.gov or (800) 332-6347. If you have a medical condition that makes heat dangerous (heart disease, respiratory illness, certain medications), tell your case manager — extra protections may apply, including a medical hold against BGE shutoffs during a Code Red.
STEP 2: Sign Kids Up for Free Summer Meals This Week
Maryland's Summer Food Service Program serves free breakfast and lunch to every child 18 and under at hundreds of sites across Baltimore — no income test, no application, no ID. Sites open in mid-June. Find one near you by texting "FOOD" to 304-304, calling 211, or visiting summerfoodmd.org. SUN Bucks (also called Summer EBT) provides $120 per eligible child loaded onto a debit-style card for grocery purchases — most eligible families are enrolled automatically through SNAP or free/reduced lunch. Check status by calling DHS at (800) 332-6347.
STEP 3: Build a Basic Hurricane / Storm Kit
You don't need to spend a fortune. The essentials: one gallon of water per person per day (3-day supply), non-perishable food for 3 days, a flashlight with extra batteries, a battery or hand-crank radio, a 7-day supply of any medications, copies of ID and important papers in a waterproof bag, and a charged power bank for your phone. Keep it in one place where you can grab it fast. Baltimore City emergency alerts: sign up at baltimorecity.gov/notify. In a major emergency, call 311 for non-emergency help and 911 only for true emergencies.
BEATING THE HEAT: WHAT TO DO WHEN BALTIMORE BAKES
Recognizing Heat Emergencies
Heat exhaustion — heavy sweating, cool clammy skin, weakness, headache, nausea, dizziness. Get to a cool place, sip water slowly, apply cool wet cloths. If symptoms last more than an hour, seek medical care.
Heat stroke is a 911 EMERGENCY — body temperature 103°F or higher, hot/red/dry or damp skin, rapid strong pulse, confusion or unconsciousness. Move to a cool place immediately and call 911. Apply cool cloths or a cool bath while waiting. Do NOT give fluids to someone who is confused or unconscious.
Highest-risk groups: Adults over 65, infants and young children, people with chronic illness, people on certain medications (blood pressure meds, antidepressants, antipsychotics, diuretics), and people without reliable AC. Check on neighbors during heat waves — a quick knock can save a life.
What Baltimore does during Code Red Heat Alerts: Cooling centers open extended hours, BGE pauses non-emergency utility shutoffs, and outreach teams check on the unhoused. Call 211 for current Code Red status and cooling center locations.
💡 Did You Know? You Can Get an AC Through Maryland Programs
Maryland's Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) and partner organizations sometimes provide window air conditioners free or at reduced cost to low-income households with a medical need. Eligibility usually requires documented medical need (doctor's note) and income qualification. The Fuel Fund of Maryland — (410) 837-4208 — runs an annual AC distribution. Also ask your case manager about Mercy Health AC programs and local church distributions. Don't wait until you're suffering. Apply in June or early July — supplies run out fast.
Family, Food, Storms & Community Resources
👨👧👦 For Dads & Father Figures
Resources for Fathers in Baltimore
- Center for Urban Families (CFUF) — (410) 367-5691. Free fatherhood programs, job training, child support help, and the well-known Responsible Fatherhood program. cfuf.org
- Maryland Child Support Modification — (800) 332-6347. If your income has dropped, you can request a modification. Don't ignore arrears — call right away.
- Maryland Legal Aid — Family Law — (410) 539-5340. Free help with custody, visitation, paternity, and child support disputes for income-qualifying parents.
- Family Tree Parent Helpline — (800) 243-7337. Free 24/7 support for any parent — dads welcome. Confidential help with parenting stress, conflict, or just needing to talk.
Being present in your children's lives — even when it's complicated — matters more than perfection.
🎓 Juneteenth: June 19
Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States and is a federal holiday — most government offices and banks will be closed. Baltimore typically hosts free events including parades, music festivals, and family gatherings at venues like the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, Druid Hill Park, and along Pennsylvania Avenue. Check baltimorecity.gov or follow @baltimorerecnparks for current event listings. Juneteenth is also a great chance for free family-friendly activities outdoors.
🍎 Summer Food for Kids
Free Meals All Summer — Starts June 15
When school cafeterias close, kids in Baltimore still need to eat. Multiple programs fill the gap:
- Summer Food Service Program — Free breakfast and lunch at hundreds of sites (rec centers, libraries, churches, parks). Open to anyone 18 and under. No paperwork.
- SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) — $120 per eligible child loaded on a card for grocery shopping. Most eligible kids enrolled automatically. Check status at (800) 332-6347.
- Maryland Food Bank Summer Pantries — Mobile pantries and family food boxes at multiple Baltimore sites. (410) 737-8282.
- Paul's Place Kids' Cafe — Free hot meals weekdays in Southwest Baltimore. (410) 625-0775.
Find a meal site fast: Text "FOOD" to 304-304, call 211, or visit summerfoodmd.org.
🛒 SNAP Recipients: Maximize Your Benefits
Summer farmers markets accept SNAP/EBT and many offer Maryland Market Money — doubling your dollars on fresh produce. The 32nd Street Market (Saturdays), JFX Market (Sundays), and Waverly Market (Wednesdays) all participate. You spend $10 in SNAP, get $20 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables. No application needed — just show your EBT card at the market info table.
HURRICANE & SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS
Storm-Ready in 30 Minutes
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Baltimore is far enough inland that direct hits are rare, but tropical storms cause flooding, power outages, and downed trees every year. Take 30 minutes this week to prepare:
Make a kit (use what you already have): One gallon of water per person per day for 3 days. Non-perishable food (canned goods, peanut butter, granola bars). Flashlight and extra batteries. Battery or hand-crank radio. 7-day supply of medications. Phone charger and a charged power bank. Copies of ID, insurance cards, and benefit letters in a waterproof bag.
Make a plan: Where will you go if your home loses power for days? Who is your out-of-town contact? Where will you meet family if you get separated? Write it down and share it.
Sign up for alerts: Baltimore City emergency alerts at baltimorecity.gov/notify. Maryland statewide alerts at mema.maryland.gov. Wireless Emergency Alerts come automatically to your phone — don't disable them.
Power outage tips: Keep the fridge closed (food stays cold ~4 hours). Unplug electronics to protect from surges when power returns. NEVER use a generator, grill, or camp stove indoors — carbon monoxide kills silently. Report outages to BGE at (877) 778-2222.
June Community Resources and Services
| Organization |
Service |
Phone |
Details |
| Summer Food Service Program |
Free Kids' Meals |
Text "FOOD" to 304-304
summerfoodmd.org |
Starts June 15. Free breakfast & lunch for anyone 18 and under. No ID, no paperwork, no income limit |
| OHEP / Maryland Energy Assistance |
Cooling / Utility Help |
(800) 332-6347
MarylandBenefits.gov |
Helps pay summer electric bills. Apply now — funds limited. Income-qualified. Some AC programs available |
| BGE Customer Assistance |
Utility Payment Plans |
(800) 685-0123
bge.com |
Payment plans, budget billing, emergency grants. Call BEFORE missing a payment to avoid shutoff |
| Fuel Fund of Maryland |
Emergency Grants / AC |
(410) 837-4208
fuelfundmaryland.org |
One-time utility grants and limited AC unit distribution for income-eligible households with medical need |
| Center for Urban Families (CFUF) |
Fatherhood / Job Training |
(410) 367-5691
cfuf.org |
Free Responsible Fatherhood programs, employment services, family strengthening. Walk-ins welcome |
| Maryland Child Support |
Modifications / Enforcement |
(800) 332-6347
dhs.maryland.gov |
Request a modification if income has changed. Don't ignore arrears — proactive contact protects you |
| Family Tree Parent Helpline |
24/7 Parenting Support |
(800) 243-7337
familytreemd.org |
Free, confidential support for any parent or caregiver. Dads welcome. Help with stress, conflict, or just talking |
| House of Ruth Maryland |
Domestic Violence Help |
(410) 889-7884
hruth.org |
24/7 hotline, safe shelter, legal services, counseling. VAWA housing protections — call confidentially |
| Maryland Legal Aid |
Family & Housing Law |
(410) 539-5340
mdlab.org |
Free help with custody, child support, eviction defense, benefits. Income-qualified. Multiple Baltimore offices |
| Maryland Food Bank |
Food Assistance |
(410) 737-8282
mdfoodbank.org |
Mobile pantries and summer family food boxes. Check website for June schedule and locations |
| Paul's Place |
Meals / Multi-Service |
(410) 625-0775
paulsplaceoutreach.org |
Free Kids' Cafe weekdays, food pantry, showers, clothing, case management. 1118 Ward St, SW Baltimore |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline |
24/7 Crisis Support |
Call or text 988
988lifeline.org |
Free, confidential. Summer can be hard — heat, isolation, kids home. Help is one call or text away |
| Chase Brexton Health |
Primary / Mental Health |
(410) 837-2050
chasebrexton.org |
Medical, dental, mental health. Sliding scale, Medicaid accepted. Same-week appointments available |
| Baltimore City 311 |
Non-Emergency City Services |
Call or text 311
balt311.baltimorecity.gov |
Report downed trees, power lines, flooding, code violations. Storm cleanup. NOT for medical emergencies |
| 211 Maryland |
Resource Navigation |
Call or text 211
211md.org |
Free 24/7 help finding food, cooling centers, utility help, mental health, and community resources statewide |
🎉 Free Summer Things to Do in Baltimore
Summer doesn't have to be expensive. Baltimore offers free or very low-cost activities all season: Druid Hill Park's free outdoor concerts, the Inner Harbor's free movies under the stars, free admission days at the Walters Art Museum and BMA, neighborhood pool access through Baltimore Recreation & Parks, and free outdoor exercise classes citywide. The Enoch Pratt Free Library system offers free AC, programming, books, and Wi-Fi at every branch. Check prattlibrary.org and bcrp.baltimorecity.gov for full schedules. Getting out of the house — especially to cool, free places — protects mental health all summer.
IMPORTANT: Report Any Changes to CHA Within 10 Days
What to report: New jobs or changes in hours/wages, unemployment benefits, SSI/SSDI changes, child support, settlement payments, tax refunds over $2,000, household composition changes (adding or removing a family member), or any other new income source.
Why it matters: Timely reporting keeps your housing benefits accurate and protects you from back-charges or loss of assistance.
How to report: Contact your CHA case manager immediately when any income or household change occurs. Don't wait until your next scheduled meeting.
JUNE CRITICAL REMINDERS
Heat Plan: Identify your cooling center, sign up for Code Red alerts, apply for OHEP at (800) 332-6347.
Free Kids' Meals: Text "FOOD" to 304-304 or call 211. Starts June 15. No ID required.
Hurricane Season: Build a basic kit, sign up for alerts at baltimorecity.gov/notify.
Father's Day Resources: CFUF, child support modifications, free family legal help — see resource table.
Heat Stroke: Confusion + hot dry skin = call 911 immediately. Check on elderly neighbors.
BGE Bills: Call (800) 685-0123 BEFORE missing a payment. Avoid summer shutoffs.
Your Case Manager: We are here every step of the way. Reach out — that's what we're for.
