Over the past 34 years, The Baltimore Station has transformed from a small group of devoted citizens who assisted the homeless in South Baltimore to the successful therapeutic residential and outpatient treatment program we are today.
Here is a look at our history:
1989
The Baltimore Station’s early roots trace back to when three caring citizens began providing blankets and sandwiches to the homeless in South Baltimore. As their efforts expanded to include a winter shelter for homeless men, the South Baltimore Homeless Shelter was incorporated as a nonprofit organization.
November 1991
We found a new home in an old fire station, naming it the South Baltimore Station. Shifting our focus, The South Baltimore Station began a new mission of providing transitional housing for homeless men struggling with substance abuse. Not only did we provide food, housing, and clothing, but we also gave men the skills they needed to get off the street for good.
July 2004
We acquired a new facility, The Seton Hill Station, to provide housing and services to additional homeless men. The Seton Hill Station opened with 25 beds. We officially changed our name from the South Baltimore Homeless Shelter to The Baltimore Station to better reflect our mission and program.
2006
The Seton Hill Station facility increased its capacity from 25 beds to 40 beds. Along with the 50 beds at the South Baltimore Station facility, we served approximately 200 men over the course of the year.
Veteran’s Day 2007
The Baltimore Station broke ground at our South Baltimore site to rehabilitate the existing firehouse and construction began on a three-story addition, formerly an adjacent parking lot.
December 2008
The South Baltimore Station addition was completed. Supporters, staff, and residents celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony presided over by Governor Martin O’Malley. The completed structure accommodates 91 beds and is the facility we occupy today.
March 2010
The Baltimore Station purchased three properties in the West Baltimore neighborhood of Sandtown-Winchester to both relocate and expand the Seton Hill Station.
November 2011
Renovations were complete to the three new properties – two row houses and an old Catholic Rectory at 1611 Baker Street, converting them into a 48-bed facility. The Seton Hill Station closes and moves residents to this new facility.2012
The Baltimore Station celebrated our 25th Anniversary with the Silver Celebration of Second Chances gala held at The Lord Baltimore Hotel.
2015
Following an update to our mission and vision statements, The Baltimore Station implemented a client-centered approach to give our clients a voice and choice in their treatment. We also welcomed John Friedel as our new Executive Director.
2016
Alternative therapeutic activities such as drumming, art, drama and mindfulness are introduced to our clients along with therapeutic field trips to Camp Puh tok and other local destinations.2017
The Baltimore Station earned a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) which is the highest level of national accreditation, demonstrating our commitment and full compliance in offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable and of the highest quality. The Baltimore Station also applied for and received funding for 87 beds through the Veterans Administration (VA) making us the largest provider of homeless veteran services in the region.
2018
The Baltimore Station obtained additional funding from the Veteran’s Administration (VA) to offer Service Intensive Transitional Housing to veterans in need of housing and workforce development. We also launched our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to better serve our graduates and community members.
2019
Thanks to the support from local businesses and volunteers, we opened a community garden near our West Baltimore facility for clients and community members to enjoy.2020
The Baltimore Station received our CARF re-certification for another three (3) years. The global Covid 19 pandemic hits and as a result, we moved our entire operation off site to keep our clients safe but still engaged in their treatment. All volunteer services were paused.
2021
In March, The Baltimore Station moved all our clients back to our facilities from the hotel. Volunteers were whole-heartedly welcomed back in June.2022
The Baltimore Station is honored to receive a grant from The Scripps Howard Foundation thanks to a recommendation from one of our media partners, WMAR Baltimore. “The Scripps Howard Foundation supports philanthropic causes important to The E.W. Scripps Company and the communities it serves, with a special emphasis on excellence in journalism. The Foundation improves lives and helps build thriving communities by leveraging media to create awareness of local issues and partnering with impactful organizations to drive solutions.”
Today
Our journey does not end here. The Baltimore Station will continue to expand our programs and services to meet the needs of the veterans that we are honored to serve.