Can you help us help families in crisis?

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, and 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 are being evicted. You missed your rent 15 days ago. Your car broke down and you had to fix it – you didn’t have a choice. Your car is a necessity for you provide for your children. You got a late notice 10 days ago, but you were hoping to scrape up enough cash to save you from eviction, but you still don’t have enough money.

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. According to the United States Census, in a typical year, landlords file 3.6 million evictions – and the past few years have been anything but typical. 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 up top. 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 fiscal year 2022, we prevented 24 individuals from being evicted in Baltimore City. For fiscal year 2023, we have prevented over 109 evictions, totaling up to almost $26,000.

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.

Please consider a gift to the Center today. I believe there is much more we can do together to improve the lives of the homeless and working poor.

Thank you.

Yours in Service,

The team at the Franciscan Center.