Maryland Departments of Natural Resources and Labor, Licensing and Regulation Hold Day of Service Events

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) today participated in events as part of Governor Hogan’s “Maryland Unites: Day of Service” initiative. Maryland Unites (www.marylandunites.org) was created in the wake of civil unrest in Baltimore in April, and has raised more than $500,000 toward relief efforts. The "Day of Service" initiative is an opportunity for state employees to offer their time and talents to benefit our citizens through community service. State employees will receive four hours of paid leave if they choose to participate and have the option to take part in the agency event or a volunteer activity of their choice.

“These days of service are about the spirit of giving back and sharing it with our state and our local communities,” said Governor Hogan. “I encourage all state employees to participate in an event with the shared goal of helping those in need.”

On June 1, Governor Hogan announced “Maryland Unites: Day of Service,” directing his Executive Cabinet to coordinate a volunteer event for employees at their respective agencies. Additional “Day of Service” agency-wide events are scheduled on the following dates:
Wednesday, July 29
Wednesday, August 12
Wednesday, August 26

DNR today partnered with the Maryland Conservation Jobs Corps (CJC) to plant trees at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. CJC is a six-week summer employment program for youth aged 14-17. Operated by the Maryland Park Service, CJC aims to provide a wide array of job and life skills training, while engaging youth in conservation service projects that restore Maryland State Parks and other public lands. CJC combines outdoor activities and the power of nature to challenge and enrich the lives of youth while preparing them for future employment success.

“Conservation Jobs Corps students worked alongside DNR employees to plant 40 trees today to help prevent stormwater runoff from entering the Bay and provide shade to park visitors,” said DNR Secretary Mark Belton. “This important program provides these students with outdoor experience while preparing them for future success in the workforce.”

DLLR held a career-day discussion on the importance of education and possible career paths, as well as prepared and served a healthy lunch at the Safe Kids Zone center, which serves as a recreation center for children ages 5-17. Safe Kids Zone is located in Baltimore's Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood.

“Team DLLR is dedicated to public service, whether it's through skills and employment training for adult job seekers or by engaging curious children in a discussion on education and the possibilities of the future,” said Kelly M. Schulz, Secretary of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. "We're proud to help out."

The Penn North Community Resource Center Safe Kids Zone provides a safe, comfortable, and secure place for children in the Sandtown-Winchester community. Opened in June, the Safe Kids Zone, for at-risk children ages five to 17 years old, offers children's activities including board games, organized sports teams, a computer lab, girls and boys mentoring programs, peer led support groups, licensed counseling, field trips, a study lab, and homework assistance.