The Open Society Institute-Baltimore has announced its 2013 class of Baltimore Community Fellows.

Twelve social entrepreneurs and innovators will each receive an eighteen-month, $60,000 grant to work on self-created projects designed to revitalize underserved communities in the city and improve youth outcomes. This year's cohort includes a health educator who will work with young men living with HIV to help them manage their infections; a paralegal who will work with teenage girls to help them make the transition from the juvenile justice system into foster care; and a health worker who will help girls and women who have been victimized by sex trafficking rebuild their emotional well-being and develop the skills needed to function in society. Other projects will address issues such as the rights of the city's disabled community and the rights of renters in low- and moderate-income housing who have fallen on hard times.

In addition, OSI-Baltimore designated two of the awardees, Matthew Hanna and Ulysses Cofield as Black Male Achievement (BMA) Fellows in recognition of their efforts to assist one of the most underserved populations in the city, black men and boys.

"It is thrilling to announce this new group of effective and passionate social activists, all of whom have the vision to create new opportunities for people throughout Baltimore," said OSI-Baltimore director of community fellowships Pamela King. "The city is fortunate to have so many inspiring leaders willing to forge new approaches to some of our most challenging issues. Each year, we marvel at the variety of innovative approaches and solutions for our city. These fellows bring hope, new methodologies, resources, and advocacy skills to residents, mobilizing them to take action to meet their own needs and to revitalize Baltimore communities."