Building a Stronger Team at The Baltimore Station | | |
Over the past couple of months, we’ve had plenty of opportunities to connect as a team, from shared meals to a game show experience. As an organization that serves clients 24/7, finding time to come together can be challenging. However, with all the hard work our staff puts in every day, making time to strengthen our connections and build camaraderie is essential.
We kicked things off with a staff brunch hosted by three of our employees, who teamed up to prepare shrimp and grits, pancakes, bacon, and plenty of other brunch favorites. Throughout the afternoon, staff took turns stepping away from their work to enjoy the delicious spread and spend time together.
Next, we headed outside the office for some friendly competition at The Great Big Game Show at Arundel Mills Mall. The experience gave everyone a chance to show off their skills in trivia, memorization games, and even a sour candy straight-face challenge! There was plenty of laughter and even more trash talk. While only one team took home the win, everyone walked away with smiles and a greater appreciation for the team they’re part of.
Finally, we closed out the summer and welcomed fall with a staff crab feast. Gathering on the second floor, we spent the afternoon cracking crabs and jokes around the conference table.
Our work can be stressful at times, making it all the more important to create opportunities to step away, reconnect, and appreciate the people we work alongside. These moments remind us of the value of having a team we can lean on as we continue our work and remain focused on the mission of The Baltimore Station.
| | A New Chapter: Celebrating The Baltimore Station's Women's Program | | On September 24, The Baltimore Station celebrated an exciting milestone in our 37-year history with the ribbon cutting of our new transitional housing program for women veterans. For the first time, we are opening our doors to female veterans experiencing homelessness and other barriers, expanding our mission to ensure that those who have served our country have access to the resources and support they need to rebuild their lives. Located in West Baltimore, the new facility will provide up to 10 women with a safe place to call home; meals from our kitchen and a space to cook on their own; clothing and hygiene products; case management, therapeutic programming, life skills classes, workforce development and other essential services—all at no cost to participants. | | |
This milestone would not have been possible without the generosity, dedication, and collaboration of our community. We were honored to celebrate alongside local officials, community partners, and supporters who have helped bring this vision to life. A huge thank you to financial supporters from the Veterans Administration, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and Church of the Nativity for giving our team the capacity to build this goal. A special thank you to Domain Rental Furnishings for donating all the furniture for each room and shared spaces, and the Home Depot Foundation and Bozzuto for collaborating to rebuild our back deck and give future veterans a welcoming outdoor space to enjoy.
From the funding and renovations that made this space possible to the many individuals and organizations who continue to champion our mission, every contribution has played a role in making this new program a reality. We are deeply grateful to everyone who believed in this goal and helped us take this important step forward. Together, we are creating new opportunities for women veterans to find stability, strengthen their recovery, and build a brighter future.
While the ribbon cutting marks the beginning of this exciting new chapter, there is still more work to be done! As we continue to grow our women’s program, we welcome those who share our vision to get involved and help shape the future of this space. Whether through community partnerships, donations, or other forms of support, there are many ways to make a difference in the lives of women veterans. If you are interested in supporting our future goals for the women veteran program, please reach out to our Community Engagement Manager, Lilly Wedekind, at lfrazier@baltimorestation.org.
Thank you for being part of our community and helping us ensure that every veteran has the opportunity to find hope, healing, and a place to call home. Be sure to check out all the photos here for a full look at the new rowhomes!
| | Congratulations to Devaney & Associates! | | |
A huge congratulations to Devaney & Associates (D&A), the team supporting The Baltimore Station’s social media and public relations needs, on their recent Platinum AMA Baltimore MX Award! Their work in sharing our mission and connecting with our network of supporters this past year has been exceptional, and we could not be prouder to hear that their work is being recognized.
The AMA Baltimore MX Awards honor the top creative agencies, internal marketing teams and brands in the Baltimore Region whose campaigns deliver measurable results, strategic impact, and creative innovation. D&A submitted our work for The Baltimore Station to the Multi-Platform Social Media Campaign category. This category recognizes a coordinated social media campaign that strategically used two or more platforms to engage an audience and achieve its objectives. We are so proud!
| | A Little Time in the Great Outdoors | | |
For more than 10 years, The Baltimore Station has made its annual trip to Camp Puh’Tok in Monkton, MD, a favorite tradition for the men we serve. This year, we packed our bags and headed out of the city for a few days of fresh air, new experiences, and time together in nature. And for the first time in about three years, we made it through the trip without getting caught in the rain! The men enjoyed horseback riding, archery, bonfires complete with s’mores, and a special Native American dance performance. They also took charge in the kitchen, preparing breakfast and lunch each day and working together to keep everyone well-fed. From trying new activities to sharing laughs around the campfire, the trip offered a welcome opportunity to step outside the usual routine, build connections, and create lasting memories.
Experiences like these are an important part of our therapeutic programming, giving the men opportunities to build confidence, practice teamwork, and strengthen relationships with one another outside the walls of our facility. Whether trying archery for the first time, lending a hand in the kitchen, or simply enjoying a quiet moment around the fire, each activity offered a chance to connect, learn, and recharge.
We are incredibly grateful to the community partners and staff who helped make this annual tradition possible. A special thank you to the Maryland Department of Health’s Behavioral Health Administration for making bus transportation possible, and to our Clinical Director, Paul Martin, along with our entire clinical and residential attendant staff, for the extra time and effort they dedicated to ensuring a successful and meaningful trip. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Church of the Nativity for sending extra volunteers to lend a hand in the kitchen. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated team and supportive community behind us, helping make meaningful experiences like Camp Puh’Tok possible year after year!
| | BMore Good Co. Brings Food, Fun & Connection to Clients | | |
A local nonprofit gave our veterans a meal to savor this month as part of a memorable evening of collaboration and connection. Bmore Good Co., a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by Cecilia Frias-Flores, brought together friends, partners, and volunteers from across Baltimore to support our clients earlier this month. “This is what happens when the community comes together with one goal: give back, spread love, and make a difference right here in Baltimore,” said Frias-Flores.
The evening started off with a team of barbers who provided free haircuts to 26 clients. Volunteers also played music trivia with our clients while the kitchen team they brought served up 65 incredible meals of Puerto Rican cuisine: chicken, rice and beans, potato salad from scratch, and twice-fried smashed plantains. Our clients loved every minute – and bite – throughout the evening!
“The food was so good that I thought they owned their own restaurant,” said one client.” They should open one!”
“This was my favorite night in a long time,” said one client. “I can’t believe how kind some people are. It’s amazing. It totally turned my day around.”
Ahead of her first meal service, Frias-Flores left nothing to chance. She worked tirelessly in preparation, collaborating with partners, working through details, and brainstorming ideas to maximize both the joy and the impact for our clients. She even worked with a favorite restaurant to get tips on cooking her dishes on scale. “I’ve never cooked for 50+ people before and I was really nervous,” said Frias-Flores. “I just wanted everything to be great for the men here.”
A special thank you to several organizations who helped make this event such a success: Akwatribe Riversports, MVP Style Studio, Gifted Hands, and Baltimore Beauty and Barber School II, and especially to Frias-Flores and BMore Good Co. You can learn more about their upcoming events on Instagram, TikTok, or www.bmoregoodco.org.
To volunteer your time and talents at The Baltimore Station, contact Volunteer Coordinator Pete Crispino at pcrispino@baltimorestation.org or 410-752-4454 x113.
| | Keep an eye out for our Annual Appeal arriving in mailboxes in early November, sharing how your generosity transforms the lives of the veterans we serve and how you can help make a difference! | | |
DAV Chapter 33 & 13 Golden Corral Fundraiser 2026
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) will welcome veterans from all over for a fundraising dinner on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11th, starting at 4:00 PM at the Golden Corral Buffet & Grill, 7047 Arundel Mills Blvd, Hanover, MD 21076.
They have been raising funds for months and are still looking for donations to help fund amazing projects in the community like purchasing new coats for the veterans right here at The Baltimore Station. Join them on November 11th for a free meal for veterans, plus a raffle with exciting prizes throughout the evening.
More information can be found here.
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