Advice/Resources for the Needy

Hello all,

I could use some advice on available resources in the city or in general.

I was running some errands today in Howard County when I ran into a young woman panhandling next to a store.

I’m unsure if it’s a scam or not but I cannot fathom any person wanting to do this for a living.

What made me decide to stop and help her out was her sign asking for diapers, among other things. I bought some for her and struck up a conversation.

There was a bit of a language barrier but this is some of the information that I gleaned:

  • She is dropped off from Baltimore by a family member during the day and picked up later on.
  • She is 18 years old, never went to school, and has a baby (actually hers) that requires size 4 diapers. She definitely did not seem happy to be there.
  • She has a phone on her that belongs to her brother that is parental locked so she cannot download any apps.
  • She says the phone has no data and she needs a SIM card to be able to make calls/access resources.
  • She was able to connect to internet at that spot because of the workers at the store giving her the store wifi password. The worker said she’s somewhat of a regular panhandler there and tried to apply for a job to little success.

I tried to get her a prepaid boost SIM card from Walmart to help her possibly be able to access resources when not being watched.

Unfortunately since there is a parental lock (Face Locked on iOS) I was unable to complete the last step of activating the prepaid plan.

I do not believe she has any documentation but feel like there should be resources out there that could help her. She seems exploited and controlled by her family.

I really want to help this person.

I plan to see if she’s there in the next few days and could use some advice on available help for her in Baltimore if I should run into her again.

I researched a bit and found that Maryland 211 might be a possibility. Her situation seems more difficult however, if she is being exploited by her family.

Her family has a house somewhere in the city but I was unable to get more info than that.

Thanks!