Baltimore-based law firm Ober|Kaler announced the recipients of its Community Grants Program today. The program awarded $35,000 in grants to three nonprofit community organizations dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk youth in the Baltimore and Washington, DC metro areas.

The following organizations were awarded $10,000 grants:

Heart's Place Services: Heart's Place Services provides weekend food survival kits to homeless children in 8 elementary schools throughout Baltimore City. The survival kit includes caloric and nutritious foods to support their mental and physical health on weekends when the schools' free weekday breakfasts and lunches are not available.

Homeless Children's Playtime Project: HCPP provides trauma-informed play to homeless children between the ages of 6 months and 18 years across five shelter sites and overflow shelter motels in the District of Columbia. HCPP minimizes the traumatic impact of living in a shelter, while simultaneously offering parenting support through classes.

In addition, Living Classrooms Foundation was awarded a $15,000 special grant with a volunteer supplement for their BUGS (Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students) Program. BUGS utilizes a hands-on curriculum based on environmental horticulture to provide at-risk kids with an enriching and fun alternative to the streets that combines gardening and cooking, creative and performing arts, reading and writing, STEM and service learning.

The Ober|Kaler Community Grants Program was established in 2003 on the occasion of the firm's 100th anniversary. A committee comprised of the firm's principals, associates and staff members chose this year's recipients – from approximately 140 applications – for their specific programs focused on enriching the lives of underprivileged children, improving living standards for lower income families with children, and creating educational opportunities for at-risk youth. The committee based its selection on perceived need, the community served and the impact the grant would have on the selected organization.

About Ober|Kaler

Ober|Kaler is a national law firm providing integrated regulatory, transactional and litigation services to financial, health care, construction and other business clients across the United States. The firm has more than 110 attorneys, and offices in Baltimore, Washington, DC and Falls Church. For more information please visit www.ober.com.