Baltimore’s push toward economic mobility took a significant step forward as GreenLight Fund Baltimore officially launched First Step Staffing in the city—backed by a $600,000 investment aimed at connecting residents to immediate employment opportunities.

Held at the newly redeveloped East Baltimore Pumphouse, the event brought together nearly 70 leaders from across Baltimore’s nonprofit, business, and philanthropic communities. The gathering marked the culmination of a year-long search to identify a workforce development model with a proven track record in cities facing similar challenges.

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At the heart of the celebration was a simple but powerful idea: access to work—quickly—can change lives.

First Step Staffing operates as a nonprofit staffing agency designed to help individuals facing barriers to employment secure jobs within 72 hours of attending an orientation. Beyond job placement, the organization offers wraparound support including transportation assistance and services for individuals experiencing homelessness or navigating reentry after incarceration—key factors in sustaining long-term employment.

In Baltimore alone, the impact is expected to be substantial. Over the next five years, First Step Staffing projects it will employ 1,100 residents, generating an estimated $15.9 million in wages. By 2027, the organization plans to expand into upskilling and credentialing programs that open doors to higher-wage career pathways.

“This is exactly the kind of impact our communities need more of,” said Larry Laws, a member of the GreenLight Fund Advisory Council and Director of Utility Training at Baltimore Gas and Electric. “Programs like these create real pathways to opportunity, providing individuals with the support, structure, and dignity of work.”

That community-centered approach was echoed throughout the event. Ali Knight emphasized that the selection of First Step Staffing was driven by local voices.

“This is a true proof point for what happens when you listen to the community and let the community lead,” Knight said, referencing the organization’s signature selection process that engages residents in identifying solutions that meet Baltimore’s most pressing needs.

For Tahlia Williams, the launch was both energizing and affirming. “There was so much support for First Step Staffing in the building,” she said, noting the importance of having a partner like GreenLight Fund that not only provides funding but helps ensure programs are deeply rooted in the community.

That connection is already translating into action. Just one week before the launch event, First Step Staffing held its first Baltimore orientation, welcoming nearly 20 job seekers. Many were quickly placed into roles in healthcare support and environmental services—demonstrating the organization’s rapid-response model in real time.

As the largest nonprofit staffing agency of its kind, First Step Staffing works directly with employers to fill workforce needs while creating immediate employment opportunities for residents. The organization is actively seeking partnerships with businesses across the Baltimore region to expand its reach.

Meanwhile, GreenLight Fund Baltimore continues its work, beginning its 2026 selection cycle to identify the next high-impact organization that can help strengthen the city’s ecosystem of opportunity.

For Baltimore residents, the message is clear: access, support, and opportunity are not abstract ideas—they’re being built, one job at a time.