Donate Today to Help a Neighbor

Imagine: it’s dark outside – the sun isn’t up yet – but you need to get ready for the day. You’re a single parent of two children, working two jobs, just trying to make ends meet. You call your children to join you for breakfast. You’d like to prepare something fresh – but you don’t have the time or money for that right now. Cereal will have to do.

After ensuring your kids have eaten, they’re dressed and clean, and they have their lunches and bookbags for school, you all head out the door. As you turn to lock up, you see a notice affixed to your door. You are being evicted.

You only have 45 days to sort this out before you and your family are kicked out of your home. What if you can’t find friends or family to stay with in the meantime? You might be homeless. How will you take care of your kids? Will they be taken away from you? What are you going to do?

Hopefully this isn’t something you’ve ever had to experience, but it happens more often than you’d expect. The Eviction Study evaluated the eviction rates in Baltimore from 2018 – 2019 and discovered that 7.3% of all male African American headed households and 5.4% of all female African American headed households were physically removed from their home. A case similar to this happened to this lovely couple to the right. Knowing they needed a home for themselves and their grandchild, they desperately sought out help, and they found the Franciscan Center.

On May 11, 2023, the federal government announced the end of the Public Health Emergency. In conjunction with the end of the public health emergency came the termination of the services and support that were offered during this time, including the suspension of court-ordered evictions. Since May, the Franciscan Center has seen a considerable uptick in clients seeking help with court-ordered evictions.

In the fiscal year of 2022, we prevented 24 individuals from being evicted in Baltimore City. For the fiscal year of 2023, we have prevented over 109 evictions, totaling over $32,000.

We adapted to the COVID-19 as we strived to best support our neighbors in need; and although the public health emergency has ended, there is still work to be done. We will not allow our neighbors to be left behind, or to feel forgotten. Post-Covid, we are ensuring to provide whatever our guests most need from us.

We need your help.

We’re seeking to raise $100,000 by December 31, 2023, to support our neighbors during the holiday season. The holiday season can be a very difficult time for those who are living on the street, living paycheck-to-paycheck, or experiencing a tumultuous life event. I believe there is much more we can do together to improve the lives of the homeless and working poor.