He was not the first nor the last, as several local churches learned. Although they did not know who he was or where he came from, his passing right in their neighborhood helped them understand a true and lasting problem. They realized that although there were systems in place to care for the homeless in Southeast Baltimore County, someone could still lose his life to the elements.

Why? Was shelter not enough? Ending homelessness is more than finding a place with a roof and walls. It is about friends and neighbors who will care for someone, even when everyone else in his life has given up.

Streets of Hope – the Cold Weather Men’s Shelter provides 16 beds and warm meals to homeless men in the cold weather months, serving 30 to 50 men per year. The time limit keeps our guests actively looking for physical and spiritual improvement so they are prepared to move on when the closes at the end of April. With a coalition of church volunteers from all denominations, we build relationships with our guests that carry beyond our open months. These relationships lead to jobs, new homes, and lasting support networks.

We incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2010 to garner support from our churches, the public and Baltimore County. Since then we have expanded to offer year-round case management and housing stability services, to men, women, and families. We continue to make new success stories with the folks we serve. Won’t you help us battle homelessness right now?