On Giving Tuesday, United Way of Central Maryland will host the 30|30 Experience.
The program takes participants through 30 days of decision-making as the head of a low-income household.
The 90-minute program is intended to help participants understand the challenges that thousands in the Baltimore area face.
“Every day, more than one of every four Marylanders fight to make ends meet,” said Franklyn Baker, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland, in a statement
“The 30|30 Experience reveals to participants exactly why so many hardworking people can’t make ends meet,” he said.
The pandemic exacerbated challenges that low-income households already faced.
Earlier this year, United Way conducted a survey to find out how people living in Maryland were impacted by COVID-19.
The survey found that respondents had the same top three concerns: household members getting COVID, mental health issues like depression or anxiety, and childcare and education.
When the pandemic hit, 39 percent of all households in Maryland – roughly 860,000 households – were struggling to make ends meet.
“Now more than ever, we see a need for compassion and support of our neighbors who are struggling to get by,” Baker said.
“Whether the 30|30 Experience opens participants’ eyes to the struggles others face – or affirms their lived experience – they’ll leave it better equipped to share with others the challenges and choices vulnerable families face every day,” he said.
The program will be open to the public on Nov. 30 at 10 a.m.
Participants must pre-register by noon on Nov. 29. To register, visit uwcm.org/GivingTuesday3030.
This story has been updated.
