The gym at 1217 W North Ave — photo from UMAR's Yelp page.
Word From the Community
"Umar's is a dedicated boxing gym. Doing good work in the community. Love the morale there."
— Jason H., Yelp
UMAR's mission, in their own words: to "reclaim community youth from the streets of Baltimore City and prepare them for future roles as productive citizens of society." A boxing gym where the books come first — blocks from Druid Hill Park, on West North Avenue.
In UMAR's own words, the program "creates and maintains a positive and safe environment for children, providing multiple activities geared to improving academic, social and athletic skills." Tutoring isn't a side offering here — it's the price of admission to the ring. That's the whole idea behind the name.
UMAR has "provided a centralized 12-month safe haven for at-risk Baltimore City children since 1996" — year-round, not just a summer program.
"A former professional boxer and member of Maryland's Boxing Hall of Fame," McDowell "grew up in Baltimore City" and, in the site's words, "started the program to provide hope and opportunity to Baltimore City's at-risk children."
Recipient of the 1st annual Howard P. Rawlings Community Service Award, presented at the Governor's Annual Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect.
UMAR has been in this corner of Baltimore since 1996. That's thirty years of kids walking in for the boxing — and walking out with the books.
Every program below is real and named exactly as UMAR lists it — nothing on this page was invented.
Gloves, tutors, GED materials, the food pantry — a donation to UMAR goes to work a block off North Avenue. UMAR accepts donations on its current site; the live build makes it one clean tap.
UMAR's site asks for volunteer tutors and mentors — the adults who sit with the kids on the books side of "No Hooks B4 Books."
Per their site, volunteers can reach out to David Schorr or Marvin at 410-808-1964, or start with the form. You don't need to know a jab from a cross. You need a couple of hours and some patience.
The live build routes this form straight to info@nohooksbeforebooks.org and keeps the volunteer application one click away.
1217 W North Ave
Baltimore, MD 21217
Penn North — a few blocks from Druid Hill Park.
Monday – Friday
4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Appointments available, per their site. Verify hours before launch.
Ask for the front desk — or just come watch a session.