July 2025

Compassion Commission Visits The Baltimore Station

The Baltimore Station kicked off July by welcoming 12 students from across the country for a week of service in support of our veterans. More than a dozen middle and high school-aged students from Compassion Commission connected with our clients over four days, spending time both working and having fun together. This is the second year working with this group so we were looking forward to welcoming some fresh faces to support our mission for a whole week this summer! Their efforts were part of a broad tapestry of projects throughout the Baltimore region that were carried out by over 200 Compassion Commission attendees.

Throughout the week, the students, who came from as far away as California, spent their mornings preparing and serving lunch for our clients before working on projects around The Station. Their volunteers sorted donations, picked up trash around the neighborhood, cleaned, and even decorated The Station for the Fourth of July. Each day ended with spirited games of bingo and chess with our clients. 

“It’s really cool having all these kids here. There’s just a different energy in the building,” said a client named Michael, who helped the students clean and mop the dining room each day. “They’re great kids, and they come in and work hard every day. I’m impressed!”

Compassion Commission is a youth missions’ program that began in 2002 and is hosted by Rock City Church in Baltimore. In partnership with Adopt-A-Block, Inc, hundreds of junior volunteers from all over the United States come to Baltimore for one week each year. At the conclusion of the week, they award a newly renovated house to a veteran who has never owned a home. This was the 23rd house they’ve given away since the program began. We hope to welcome them back for a 3rd year next summer!

Want to volunteer with your church or organization? Reach out to Pete Crispino at pcrispino@baltimorestation.org to learn more about ways to contribute to our mission.

Work Works - Fund a Year of Change

This August 18th through the 25th, The Baltimore Station is launching Work Works – Fund a Year of Change, a weeklong online fundraising campaign highlighting the life-changing impact of our Work Therapy Program. Through this program, clients actively participate in various job assignments from kitchen support to facilities upkeep all in an effort to grow the structure, confidence, and accountability they need to succeed in recovery and beyond. “A lot of the men in this building have real talents and skillful backgrounds” said one client “let us be a part of making The Baltimore Station a better place for everyone”. 

Our goal is to raise $10,000, which will fully fund one-year of stipend for residents participating in the program. 

Throughout the week, we’ll share powerful resident stories and firsthand testimonials that demonstrate how work creates purpose and fuels transformation. By supporting this campaign, you're not just funding a program—you’re investing in someone's second chance. Follow along on social media, amplify our message, and help prove that at The Baltimore Station, Work Works!

Community in Action, Supporting Our Mission

South Baltimore Network's 21st Annual Golf Tournament

We are incredibly grateful to South Baltimore Network for hosting their 21st Annual Golf Tournament at Oakmont Green Golf Course in support of The Baltimore Station. This long-standing event continues to bring together dedicated community members looking to share in our mission of turning lives around. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who came out to play, it is through our network of supporters that we can carry out our mission. Every dollar raised goes directly toward providing the therapeutic care, housing, and basic needs for the veterans working hard to rebuild their lives at The Baltimore Station.

We’d also like to give a special shoutout to Movement Mortgage for their generous $2,000 donation, and to Kevin Anselmi for his continued commitment and efforts in organizing this incredible event year after year. Our gratitude also goes to Unique Bracelets by Brandon for not only showcasing his craftsmanship, but for donating a portion of each bracelet sale back to our organization. These supporters truly make a difference, and we are proud to have such compassionate partners by our side.

Prickly Pete’s Plant Sale

Huge thank you to Prickly Pete for once again turning his love of plants into a powerful act of service for The Baltimore Station. On a hot Saturday afternoon, Pete, known affectionately by neighbors as “Prickly Pete”, set up his second community plant “sale,” where every cactus, succulent, and potted plant was offered in exchange for a donation of any size. Thanks to his generosity and the enthusiasm of the local community, Pete gave away around 200 plants and raised over $1,500 in support of the veterans at The Baltimore Station.

What made this sale even more special was the inclusion of plants propagated and re-potted by the men in our program just a few months earlier during a hands-on class Pete led. Pete shared, “I was pleased to see that when I pointed out those plants which had been potted by the men — with their names on the pots — that the vast majority of ‘customers’ swapped out the plant they were looking at in favor of one with someone's name on it.” That simple gesture speaks volumes about the value our community places on connection and belonging. We’re deeply grateful for neighbors like Pete who find creative ways to support our mission and honor the efforts of the men we proudly serve.

Monthly Giving Program