2018 CIIP Program Book CIIP Booklet 2018 | Page 37

• Created distribution plans for Made in
Baltimore’s first lookbook and PSA videos
• Assisted with grant applications
• Organized outreach and communications
with our maker network
Community Partner:
Made in Baltimore Program - Baltimore Office of Sustainability
Intern: Alex Walinskas
Site Supervisor: Andy Cook
What is the Made in Baltimore Program?
Made In Baltimore aims to spur re-investment in Baltimore City by grow-
ing the market for locally-produced goods. We do this by supporting
local maker and manufacturers through our local-brand certification
program, promotion and marketing events, and business development
services.
In Baltimore, it’s easy to view City Government with a cynicism— an understandable view, given the slew
of headlines concerning corruption in our city. But as I spent this summer working for Made in Baltimore, a
program of the city’s Department of Planning, I found the most amazing and refreshing community of folks
working towards a mission of care, progress, and equity for this city. In my day-to-day work with Made in
Baltimore, I also discovered a vibrant manufacturing and maker community, and a love for supporting Balti-
more’s local economy and workers.
My long-term summer project was creating media distribution plans, with many other tasks and adventures
along the way. Made in Baltimore is currently making a lookbook featuring the products of Baltimore-based
makers, along with a series of PSA videos encouraging folks to buy local and support light-duty manufac-
turers in their community. For the lookbook, I really enjoyed the chance to meet makers in person and watch
the product photoshoot. I’ve met a lot of artistic, creative people on the job. In finding places to distribute
our lookbook and the PSA videos, I’ve discovered cool spots all across Baltimore that I’m adding to my list
of places to visit. One downside of working with MIB: I want to buy EVERYTHING that our local manu-
facturers make!! There’s so much cool stuff being made right here in Baltimore. We actually have a really
booming fashion and apparel industry, which I never realized before.
Beyond my work with Made in Baltimore, I got to learn about and partake in the very cool projects of the
Department of Planning and Office of Sustainability. The Office of Sustainability is currently writing its 2018
Sustainability Plan, a big guiding document for the office and its work. I participated in the working sessions
for the economy sections of the plan, and gave my feedback and edits. I’m really impressed that the Office
is creating this plan from an equity lens, and centering issues of discrimination and inequity in Baltimore.
The Department of Planning in general has a really great workplace environment, and everyone here sup-
ports each other through successful and hard times alike. I’m so thankful to CIIP for giving me the oppor-
tunity to spend a summer here, and I hope that I find myself engaged with the department and the office
again in the future.
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