Empowering Lives in Baltimore: How Vocational Education and Hands-On Training are Making a Difference

BALTIMORE — In West Baltimore’s Greater Rosemont neighborhood, an organization called Requity is changing the story for a community facing tough challenges.

Requity does more than just create jobs. Its mission connects people with vocational training and real job experiences, giving them the skills they need to succeed.

Co-founder Sterling Hardy believes that having a skill opens up money-making opportunities. “As long as you have a skill, there is always a way to make money,” he says.

Breaking Barriers

This approach empowers individuals, helping them not just to get by but to thrive. Hardy came up with the idea for Requity while he was a student at Carver Vocational-Technical High School. He understands the value of practical skills.

“We have these trades, but no one wants to hire us,” he shares about his own experiences post-graduation. “They were like, ‘You’re book smart, but you don’t actually have the skills to go into the workforce.’” This motivated Hardy to create something that could change that.

It’s Like a Family

For people like Travon Crawford, Requity has been life-changing. “I like the kitchen experience. I like the moving around part,” he says about his training. “We basically get paid for stuff that we love to do.”

Requity creates not just job opportunities, but also a supportive community. “Everybody in this building, it’s like a whole family,” Crawford adds.

The sense of family is felt by leaders and participants alike. Justin Pittman, who graduated from the program and is now a student ambassador, helps others find their way. For him, learning carpentry was a childhood dream come true. “When I was a kid, I always loved to build and do anything hands-on,” he reflects.

Finding Purpose

Requity offers more than jobs; it provides a sense of purpose. Crawford expresses it well: “It feels relieving and like I’m doing good.” Pittman emphasizes how the program helps steer participants towards positive choices. “We could all be out in the street or skipping school, but instead, we want to be here—working and helping our community.”