Turnaround Tuesday Expands Workforce Success Across Baltimore

Reported by Lisa Robinson for WBALTV

Turnaround Tuesday Expands Workforce Success Across Baltimore

Turnaround Tuesday has helped thousands of individuals secure low-wage jobs—and now, thanks to its growing success, the organization is expanding its reach once again.

Launched in East Baltimore, the initiative later extended into West Baltimore. A third site recently opened at Greater Harvest Baptist Church, and a fourth is now launching in Park Heights, in partnership with Brown Memorial Baptist Church. This expansion will increase access to residents in Northwest Baltimore.

Since its founding in 2014, Turnaround Tuesday has helped over 2,200 people secure living-wage employment. The organization has become a powerful force in uniting the civic, public, and private sectors to build a stronger workforce for the city.

Transforming Lives

"Turnaround Tuesday was an education for me," said Shyheim Washington, who joined the program three years ago after serving eight years in prison. "I learned to advocate. They brought out the best in me by teaching essential skills. I wanted to do this work full time."

After completing the training, Washington landed a job with H&S Bakery—and was later hired by Turnaround Tuesday itself.

The program focuses on creating job pipelines for returning citizens, the unemployed, and the underemployed. Partner employers include Whiting-Turner, H&S Bakery, the University of Maryland, LifeBridge Health, and Johns Hopkins University.

"They initially took on the challenge to hire people from Turnaround Tuesday," said Shunbricka Johnson, a staff member with the organization.

Training the Next Generation

Evan Fortson, a recent high school graduate currently in training, said the experience is eye-opening.

"I'm learning how to be the right person for the job—how to prep for it," Fortson shared. "Etiquette, what to do when you get the job, how to maintain it. How to keep it—not just get it and lose it."

In 2022, more than 90% of those placed in jobs through Turnaround Tuesday were Black, with a median age of 46. The organization continues to make a lasting impact, one job at a time.