Just Words

One grandmother in charge of six children - Lucille Robinson, a 69-year-old grandmother who is the sole caregiver to six grandchildren, tells the story of how she came to be in such dire circumstances.

Making ends meet on $700 a month - Lucille describes how, against all odds, she manages to support her family on only $700 a month. She shares her concerns about her inability to afford Christmas presents or food.

Why good kids go bad - Lucille shares her belief that many children are lured by the promise of making money on the street corner selling drugs as a direct result of the unwillingness of the local, state, and federal government to provide support to the children's caretakers. She describes the kind of support and recognition she wants from the government.

Exploited by the Orioles - Jacquetta Lyles, a mother of four and a day laborer at the downtown sports stadiums, describes the conditions she works under, and how she is paid with a money card that charges her each time she uses it.

A Mother's Struggles - Jacquetta describes how she is dependent on the assistance and shelter provided by her mother and great-uncle, without which she would be in a shelter. She also shares how she tries to provide her children with a happy childhood, despite the worries that plague her.

Standing up for her rights - Jacquetta tells how she came to become involved in the United Workers Association, and makes a passionate plea for people to stand behind her efforts to make a better life for herself.

The $50,000 hospital bill - Gloria Knight is a state-contracted daycare provider who is unable to afford health insurance. A bicycle accident left her with a $50,00 hospital bill.

Why home child care providers are important - Gloria discusses the social fallout that would ensue if daycare providers looked for alternative employment that provided benefits. She also shares her personal connection with a special child, a connection that encourages here to stay in child care.

Why home child care providers must form a union - Gloria discusses the benefits she thinks would stem from unionizing child care providers in Maryland.

The everyman of the inner city streets of Baltimore - Walker Gladden is a former prisoner who has devoted his life to saving young men and women in Baltimore. He speaks about the gulf that separates boys and girls in the 'hood from the rest of the world.

What the rest of the world doesn't understand about living in the 'hood - Marc speaks with community activists about the tremendous gulf that exists between their perception of the world and how they are seen by outsiders.

The power of love to change lives - Could love have the power to transform the lives of children in inner-city communities? Ray Cooke, an ex-offender who runs the program On Our Shoulders in West Baltimore, speaks about his belief that love can be a powerful agent of change.