HS Graduates & College Students

"My first community service project was a turning point in my life because it boosted my confidence level and started a healing process for me. . . Now I make plans for the future. I have branched into my own person, instead of letting stereotypes define me. Now I am so confident in myself and in everything I do, that I am ready to tackle every situation life has to offer me--starting with college."

~Gregory Mason, Mercyhurst College '11

"My most memorable volunteer project was serving a church charity dinner to raise money for the New Life for Girls, a program that serves battered women. I heard passion in their voices and saw pain in their eyes as they shared their challenges. And even though that night I just helped serve food to kind donors, being there gave me opportunity to reflect on life and increased my faith. It was like therapy."

~Judeith James, Wesley College '11

"At first, I honestly only went for the free dinners, but over time I realized that IMP was helping me discover my talents and develop goals. . . During our camping trip, I saw first-hand that this different world outside of Baltimore was not just an imaginary place the mentors made up, but it was real. I never knew until that day that there were places that did not look like the city I had lived all my life. This trip helped me to see with my own eyes that the Baltimore cycle was able to be broken."

~Derick Brown, Frostburg State University '11

"I have volunteered at the Maryland Food Bank giving food to the homeless and at Collington Square Middle School tutoring 13 year olds. Because these kids look up to me and need my help, I have had to mature more. It was sometimes a challenge to keep the kids under control and working hard on their homework. Overcoming these obstacles has turned me into a better leader, and I have been able to use these leadership skills when facing my own life challenges."

~Maurice Portee, Morgan State University '11