Helping Immigrant Families Thrive

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The Baltimore New American Access Coalition (BNAAC) is a three-month program that connects Baltimore City's immigrants and refugees with public benefits for which they are eligible.

Please fill out this referral form to participate in BNAAC or if you would like to refer someone else to BNAAC.

The program helps families with: 

  • Applying for help paying for groceries, utility bills, health insurance, and more
  • Getting connected to community resources throughout the city

Do you need assistance finding support and resources?

  • Health care coverage
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Women, Infants, and Children food support (WIC)
  • Energy bill assistance
  • Water bill assistance
  • Legal resources and support
  • And more!

To qualify for the program, households must: 

  • Live in Baltimore City;
  • Be an immigrant or refugee family;
  • Have limited English language ability;
  • Agree to case management assistance based on household need; and
  • Agree to meet regularly with a Case Manager over the course of three months.

This program is free, and language support is provided.

How was this program started?

In October 2022, Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs announced the Baltimore New American Access Coalition (BNAAC). This program helps reduce the economic and social hardships of immigrant and refugee families in Baltimore City. Originally, the program worked to connect people who were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to health and social resources. The program received $4 million of funding from the City's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

The first ARPA-funded stage of the program served over 800 families through April 2025. The second stage of BNAAC was launched in October 2025 with funds from Baltimore City.

Why is this program important?

For immigrants and refugees, access to health and social services has many barriers, including language barriers, fear of government, and difficulty navigating already complex government systems. BNAAC seeks to increase equity in access to health and human services through its benefit navigation program.

Who are the partner organizations?

This program partners with CASA, the Esperanza Center, and the Southeast Community Development Corporation: community-based organizations with a long history of serving immigrants and refugees in Baltimore City.

Who should I contact for more information?

For more information, please email us at mima@baltimorecity.gov.

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