“With silken line and delicate hook, I wander into a myriad of ripples and find freedom...” - Li Yu, Fisherman's Song

Listening to Li Yu’s words, one can imagine the impact a quiet day fishing can have on mental health. For many, fishing has become an activity to redirect stress into focus, alleviating daily panic and worry. For the men in our program, it becomes increasingly important to find an activity that channels day-to-day stresses into an outlet for peace and openness. PTSD, addiction, and financial independence are all struggles affecting our men, as well as the community, each and every day. Fishing provides a natural sensory experience that engages the mind and body. It requires balance, coordination, mobility, and focus, directing the participant to experience nature through their senses. Research from fishing studies with veterans has developed a new form of therapy called piscatorial therapy.

Although it is new in a research setting, piscatorial therapy, or fishing therapy, has been used to help veterans returning to civilian life for years. Here at The Baltimore Station, we start each spring season dusting off the fishing poles and setting up the riggers. The men love the camaraderie felt from a day out on the dock and are so encouraged when they catch a big fish! We work hard to offer fishing as a therapy outing whenever we can. From scheduled trips to Middle Branch Park to bringing the equipment on our Sandy Point Beach trip, and even making the rods accessible for those looking to set out on their own day of fishing. We encourage clients to connect with nature in a way that captures their focus and encourages them to slow down and evaluate their choices.

As her career grew, she stayed within the Executive Assistant realm giving her the opportunity to join various teams and make a difference in many organizations. Learning about and joining The Baltimore Station as an Executive Assistant was a delight for her, as she is a granddaughter of a late WWII veteran and a missionary that serves the homeless monthly. In her new role, Latrice she will provide customer service, build relationships with external customers and board members, and meet with internal departments to implement new initiatives and ideas to streamline processes in order to enhance growth and efficiency within the organization. In her free time, Latrice enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

A huge thank you to our Baltimore Orioles for hosting nine (9) veterans from our program and staff members at the Yankees vs. Orioles game on July 24th. Our group enjoyed burgers, hotdogs, snacks, and an amazing view of the game from one of the suites. We even got a special visit from the O’s Bird himself and a shout out on the jumbotron! Thank you, Baltimore Orioles, for all your support of The Baltimore Station and our military.

Mental health struggles are something most people are familiar with but now there is a solution people can turn to for help. Modeled after 911, the new three-digit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is designed to be a memorable and short number that connects people who are struggling with a mental health crisis to a trained mental health professional.

Xavier Becerra, the secretary of the Federal Department of Health and Human Services said about the new number: “988 won't be a busy signal, and 988 won't put you on hold. You will get help…If you are willing to turn to someone in your moment of crisis, 988 will be there."

This new number will make mental health care, something those in underserved populations often struggle to find, far more accessible. Please help us spread awareness of this new outlet for those seeking mental health help.

We are excited to announce we recently added four new members to our board of directors, bringing the total to 19 dedicated members looking to help The Baltimore Station further its mission. The newly elected members include Michael Lucero, Director of Cyber & Intelligence at BlueHalo; Col. Michael Nelson, Practice Lead at Partner Engineering and Science Inc.; Thomas Staskowski, Senior Population Health Strategy Consultant at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; and Frankie Velez, Vice President and General Manager of Praxis Engineering. Welcome to the team everyone!

We’re excited to share that our organization has earned a 2022 Gold Seal of Transparency with GuideStar!

Check out our #NonprofitProfile to learn more and make a difference with your support.

We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of our Board Member Malcolm Rubinstein. When Malcolm and his wife Carol moved back to Baltimore, he reached out to The Baltimore Station to get involved with an organization serving veterans. From that point on Malcolm, a retired psychologist, became a part of our family and a true ambassador for our mission. He worked tirelessly to introduce us to prospective partners, donors and volunteers; he attended every fundraising event; and he sat on various committees with his goal of always providing the best programs and services that we could for the men in our programs.

All of us here at The Baltimore Station will miss Malcolm dearly, especially his sense of humor, which got us through some of the most trying times these last few years. Our sympathies are extended to Malcolm’s family, friends and anyone who had the pleasure to know him.

DATE: Saturday, September 10 - Sunday, September 11 LOCATION: USA Lacrosse HQ, Tierney Field

2 Loveton Circle | Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152

24 hours. One game. One goal. Support our troops.

DATE: Sunday, September 11 | 1 - 4:00pm

LOCATION: Jimmy's Famous Seafood

Crab feast during the Ravens' season opener. Join us to watch the battle between Lamar Jackson and former Raven Joe Flacco who will quarterback for the Jets.

DATE: Saturday, November 5 | 1:00 - 4:30pm

LOCATION: Camden Yards

Final Call for Teams! Do you and your colleagues have what it takes to make the BEST chili? If so, enter a team in our 7^th annual Stars, Stripes & Chow Chili Cookoff, presented by M&T Bank. To learn more, contact Alexandra Protos at aprotos@baltimorestation.org.