Celebrating Partnerships at SVDP Eastside Shelter
On Wednesday, September 3, St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore staff, Baltimore County officials, volunteers, and supporters came together for an event at the St. Vincent de Paul Eastside Shelter to celebrate the many collaborations that make possible the robust services at the shelter.
The SVDP Eastside Shelter is a 236-bed facility serving single men, single women and families in Baltimore County that SVDP began operating on July 1. The many services at the shelter illustrate the deep commitment by SVDP, Baltimore County, and others to provide safe shelter, supportive services, and pathways toward long-term
stability and independence for Baltimore County residents.
County Executive Kathy Klausmeier and SVDP President and CEO John Schiavone spoke about the transformative power of collaboration in addressing complex challenges of homelessness and housing insecurity. The event emphasized how aligned missions and shared values can produce tangible change in the lives of individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis.
We need your help! If you’re inspired to get involved, support this important work, and learn more about opportunities at the Eastside Shelter, please email giving@vincentbaltimore.org
Expanding Our Reach: More Support for Families and Veterans
We’re excited to announce two important expansions across our programs, helping us reach even more families, children, and veterans in need.
Our Early Head Start program will now offer 20 additional slots, allowing more infants and toddlers up to three years old access to high-quality early childhood education and care. To support this growth, we’re opening three new classrooms—two in Park Heights and one in Cherry Hill, further strengthening our early education footprint across the region.
We’re also expanding our Veteran Housing Services program to support 70 additional veteran households, bringing the total to 295 veteran households served across Baltimore City and Baltimore County each year. The program’s expansion affords the opportunity to open a satellite program site in Baltimore County.
These expansions reflect our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of the communities we serve—with care, dignity, and a focus on long-term impact.
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, SVDP of Baltimore President and CEO John Schiavone, and Mark Millspaugh, Director of the Baltimore County Department of Social Services, along with members of the SVDP of Baltimore leadership team and other staff from Baltimore County Department of Social Services. Photo taken by Lauren Watley, Creative Director of Baltimore County.
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier tours the SVDP Eastside Shelter following its transition to operations under SVDP of Baltimore.
Getting Ahead
Getting Ahead is a nationally recognized program that empowers individuals to overcome poverty by identifying barriers such as limited education, employment challenges, and social inequities. St. Vincent de Paul Baltimore Council has been conducting Getting Ahead groups in recent years to great success.
With support from trained volunteers, participants gain skills like self-advocacy, effective communication, and time management, while being encouraged to pursue educational goals like earning a GED. Designed for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, the program provides shelter access and essential resources like food, clothing, and transportation.
I’ve learned so much. My eyes have been opened to so many opportunities – and
now, the future is bright. –Getting Ahead Participant
A strong sense of community is central to the program’s success. Participants bond with peers and mentors, building trust and motivation. After five months of work and personal growth, graduates celebrate their achievements with a special
EMPTY BOWLS WEEKEND 2026
Candlelight & Clay
Friday, April 17, 2026
6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Empty Bowls Family Event
Saturday, April 18, 2026
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD
Graduates of the Getting Ahead Program celebrate their accomplishments at the graduation ceremony. graduation ceremony and luncheon with their loved ones, alongside volunteers and SVDP Baltimore Council members. The graduation ceremonies are filled with emotional moments as graduates, some shedding tears of joy, reflect on their journeys. They express deep love, gratitude, and a profound sense of connection to one another and to the Getting Ahead Program, showing that the program truly transforms individual lives.
Empty Bowls Prepares for its 20th Anniversary Year! 20TH ANNUAL EMPTY BOWLS
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Empty Bowls, St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore’s beloved annual tradition. We invite you to join us in celebrating two decades of community, compassion, and impact through two exciting events: Candlelight & Clay on Friday evening and the Empty Bowls Family Event on Saturday afternoon.
Both events will feature a wide selection of soups and small bites from some of Baltimore’s top restaurants, entertainment, engaging activities, and the signature handmade ceramic keepsake bowls.
For 20 years, Empty Bowls has raised essential funds to support individuals and families experiencing hunger, homelessness, and poverty. The proceeds provide access to food, shelter, and the resources people need to regain stability and hope for a brighter future.
We hope you’ll be part of this special anniversary year. Visit Empty Bowls at www.emptybowlsbaltimore.org to buy tickets and learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
Resource and Education Coordinator, Janae Legette
Janae Legette serves as our Resource and Education Coordinator for our Hannah More Family Shelter and our SVDP Eastside Shelter, a role she stepped into this past July after starting at SVDP as a Youth Service Coordinator. In just over a year and a half, Janae has made a lasting impact on the children and families in our shelters, ensuring that no matter their circumstances, they feel supported, seen, and celebrated. Each day, Janae ensures school-aged children are enrolled in school and prepared with the essentials they need to succeed. “Every morning, I remind them, ‘Have a great day and make good choices,’” Janae said. She also coordinates events and meaningful activities so families can still enjoy special moments regardless of their living circumstances, while advocating resources through partnerships and donors. She wishes more people understood how deeply homelessness impacts children. “It takes a toll on their mental health. They need space to decompress, adjust, and just be kids,” added Janae.
Making Summer Brighter for Children Experiencing Homelessness
With the holidays approaching, Janae promises something special is coming. “Expect a Winter Wonderland! I always challenge myself to make each event bigger and better than the last.”
Thanks to her energy and heart, our shelters continue to be places of hope, celebration, and belonging.
This past summer, nearly 200 children experiencing homelessness had the opportunity to enjoy a safe, enriching, and joyful summer at Camp St. Vincent, the region’s only free summer camp dedicated exclusively to children facing housing instability.
Over the course of eight weeks, campers engaged in a full schedule of in-person educational and recreational activities designed to prevent summer learning loss and promote social-emotional growth. Daily programming included instruction in math and literacy, as well as creative enrichment through art, theater, and dance, plus daily swimming and outdoor play.
A major highlight of the summer was the wide variety of fun and educational field trips, which allowed campers to explore the world beyond camp and gain new experiences. Campers went bowling, roller skating, and attended an Orioles baseball game, many for the very first time. They also visited several local museums, including the Chesapeake Children’s Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Industry, where they participated in hands-on exhibits and interactive learning opportunities. For older campers, visits to local college campuses introduced them to the idea of higher education and helped plant seeds for future aspirations.
Thanks to the dedication of our passionate and experienced camp staff, 98% of campers maintained or improved at least one reading level, and 76% maintained or improved at least one level in math.
We are incredibly proud of another successful summer at Camp St. Vincent and deeply grateful to our staff, volunteers, and supporters who made it all possible. Thank you for helping us provide a summer filled with learning, laughter, and lasting memories.
Janae Legette, Resource and Education Coordinator, (pictured in the center) spending time with youth at the Hannah More Family Shelter.
Campers enjoyed a scenic wagon ride to the blueberry fields at Butler’s Orchard.
Spread Some Joy this Holiday Season!
As the holiday season approaches, over 500 families in SVDP programs need your support. Help brighten the holidays for families in our homeless shelters, supportive housing and Head Start programs by being a part of our Adopt a Family Program, which matches you or your organization with a family to sponsor for this holiday season. Contact us at giving@vincentbaltimore org if you are interested in participating in Adopt a Family.
WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION AND WORK
Please invest in our mission to help individuals and families in our community. For more information and to get started, scan the QR code below or visit www.vincentbaltimore.org
MAKE A GIFT TODAY
You may make a gift today by visiting www.vincentbaltimore.org or by mailing a check payable to SVDP to 2305 N. Charles St., Ste. 300, Baltimore, MD 21218.
BECOME A MONTHLY GIVER
Join our Good Samaritan Monthly Givers Club and make easy, automatic gifts that help us have a reliable, steady source of support and lower our fundraising costs. Visit https://www.vincentbaltimore.org/ways-to-give/give-monthly/
DONATE YOUR CAR
Vehicle donations are tax deductible, and the process is quick and easy. We accept all types of vehicles, running or not. To get started, go to https://www.vincentbaltimore.org/ways-to-give/car-donation/ or call us at 410-662-0500.
MAKE A GIFT OF STOCK
To make a gift of appreciated stock that might reduce your taxes, please email us at giving@vincentbaltimore.org or call us at 410-662-0500 for our stock transfer instructions.
JOIN OUR LEGACY SOCIETY
Please consider naming SVDP in your will to leave a lasting legacy of generosity.
We recommend that you consult your tax or financial professional for advice and questions. For more information, please contact us at giving@vincentbaltimore.org or 410-662-0500. Visit www.vincentbaltimore.org or scan the QR code to make a gift or learn more.