STAFF

EMAIL AMANDA

Amanda Benjamin, LCSW-C, serves as the Senior Manager of Coordinated Resources at Baltimore’s Promise. She was born and raised in Philly and has found community and belonging in Baltimore since moving here for Social Work school 8 years ago. Amanda is passionate about creating healing spaces and helping young people discover their best and most authentic selves. She is part of the Counseling Team at Grads2Careers which aims to support G2C participants individually and in groups with mental health supports and connection to resources and community. Amanda enjoys working with young people because they always keep it real and are absolutely hilarious. She finds it a true honor to hold space for others and she strives to be gentle, intentional, and honest in her approach.

Before moving to Baltimore, Amanda spent 3 years as an AmeriCorps member serving high school students and out-of-school youth in service-learning programs in Philly. Amanda loves an adventure and can be found in parks, on hikes, and at new restaurants and local shops quite often. There is usually a very friendly, fluffy dog named Milo with her. She also spends a lot of time in community with friends and family and Milo, of course. Amanda is also very involved in the black and brown rock climbing community in Maryland and is super passionate about making climbing more accessible for black and brown self-identifying women and girls, in particular.

EMAIL BONITA

Bonita Harrell is the Grads2Careers Data Technician and is stationed at the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED). Throughout her career, Bonita has been very passionate about the education of children/youth in Baltimore and surrounding areas. She has spent time working with different Baltimore organizations in both teaching and data capacities.  Bonita proudly achieved her bucket list goal of earning her BS degree in education and psychology. She also holds a certification in data management.  

As the G2C Data Technician, Bonita’s daily tasks are managing, analyzing, and auditing data as well as providing training to staff.  She finds it a real thrill to compile, process and build a story with the data that she manages. According to Bonita, “managing and reporting data helps to tell stakeholders and participants about parts of the G2C Program that are data driven—where we stand as a program, our successes, what areas we need to improve and how to better serve the graduates of Baltimore City.”   She loves that her job allows her to work with partner organizations that provide career training to help young people gain new skills and enter jobs in areas of growth. Bonita also volunteers as a member of the Maryland New Directions Alumni Board.

In her spare time, Bonita enjoys writing plays for her church youth ministry, watching HGTV and being around family.