Volunteer Expansion: Dinners, Speakers, and Game Days, OH MY! | |
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As The Baltimore Station continues to grow, so does our support base. And with more people reaching out to get involved in our mission, we have started up some creative volunteer opportunities for individuals looking to make a difference and turn lives around. Searching for more ways to get involved? Here are some opportunities you may be interested in:
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Welcome Wednesdays: Do you enjoy working in a kitchen and meeting new people? Consider joining us at 140 W. West St. for our new Welcome Wednesdays on the last Wednesday of every month! Individuals are invited to come to The Baltimore Station with just themselves, a family member or friend to work with our amazing kitchen team and serve clients. Help them prepare dinner, learn about our program from our volunteer coordinator, and see why we are so passionate about what we do here. Dinner included!
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Summer Speaker Series: This summer we are welcoming those with expertise in different topics to lead one-hour classes for our clients. We hope this will give our clients a greater understanding of services provided in the community as well as information on different life skills.
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Game Days: From basketball to bingo, we are looking to have a summer of fun here at The Baltimore Station. We welcomed students from Loyola Blakefield as well as groups like Catholic Communities of South Baltimore who brought a team’s worth of volunteers to play games with our clients. Each year we provide opportunities for clients to work together as a team but also get a little competitive. We hope this year will bring even more fun to our regular programming.
If you are interested in exploring any of these volunteer activities, please reach out to volunteer coordinator, Lilly Frazier, at lfrazier@baltimorestation.org.
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Spotlight on Back on My Feet | |
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June 7th marked Global Running Day, an annual celebration where people of all ages and abilities pledge to take part in some type of running activity. One activity we love to celebrate is the morning circle up which takes place bright and early outside of The Baltimore Station with another non-profit, Back on My Feet.
Back on My Feet combats homelessness through the power of fitness, community support, and essential employment and housing resources. They have been a great partner for many years in our own mission of helping homeless veterans overcome obstacles to regain self-sufficiency. Back on My Feet encourages participants to welcome the power of community, fitness, and routine to help them work through adversities affecting their lives. This unique program “demonstrates that if you first restore confidence, strength and self-esteem, individuals are better equipped to tackle the road ahead.”
In addition to running (and walking) through our community, Back on My Feet, is a nationwide organization that focuses on building self-confidence through community running then building an individual up so they can manifest a more fulfilling life. We are so grateful to Back on My Feet for their years of recruiting men in our program and encouraging their personal growth. Back on My Feet continues to provide and serve monthly meal services to The Station, we are grateful to see familiar faces every month including board member, Michael Fonce. These volunteers continue to prove they believe in our community of men and will continue to support them.
Thank you, Back on My Feet, for all the amazing work you do for individuals and communities across the nation. And Happy Global Running Day!
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June is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Month. This is a time intended to better understand what PTSD is, and how we can support those living with it. According to the American Psychiatric Association, post-traumatic stress disorder is a “psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, series of events or set of circumstances.” It can affect the mental, physical, social, and/or spiritual well-being of an individual and often leads people to feel scared and alone.
Though living with PTSD can be intimidating, it is important to know that there is treatment and resources that can help. Talking with a therapist, focusing on mindful activities, and practicing self-care are all ways to help alleviate the difficulties associated with PTSD. As June is a month designated for awareness of this disorder, it is important we acknowledge its existence and work to educate ourselves on how to look for signs, as well as be a support for those who are looking for help.
For more information on what PTSD looks like and tools to help, be sure to check out our blog post here.
We also have a list of resources on our website if you are looking for assistance.
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First Fishing Trip of the Season | |
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Within the first week of June, clients of The Baltimore Station were already out on the pier hoping for the biggest catch of the day at Jonas Green State Park! Each year our assistant clinical director, South Baltimore Station, Paul Martin, works with clients to plan fishing trips so everyone can have a relaxing day on the dock. As a part of our clinical program, we offer various forms of therapy, including piscatorial therapy (fishing therapy) which, although not often talked about, is an excellent exercise in mindfulness.
Being out on the water, fishing helps to channel nervous energy into something more positive through focusing on the task at hand. The men enjoyed feeling the breeze from the water and hearing the noises of wildlife in the distance. They loved cheering when someone reeled in a big one and laughing at some of the comically small fish caught. It is important to find activities that bring you joy and peace, and for some, that activity is fishing.
We are extremely grateful to all of those who help organize these trips, from staff to the parks department and donors who graciously provide fishing equipment. Thank you for helping to make a difference for clients here at The Baltimore Station.
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Old Line Bottle Your Own Whiskey Event
DATE: Sunday, July 9 | 1:00-4:00pm
LOCATION: Old Line Spirits
200 S. Janney Street, Baltimore, MD 21224
Guests will walk away with a bottle of their favorite whiskey that they personally filled and packaged. Whiskey tasting and lunch included. Purchase tickets here!
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Jimmy's Crab Feast and Bull Roast
DATE: Friday, July 14 | 7:00-10:00pm
LOCATION: Jimmy's Famous Seafood
6526 Holabird Avenue | Baltimore, MD 21224
All you can eat crabs, pit beef, turkey, ham, pasta and more. Beer and wine, live DJ, raffles and a jewelry pull.
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Volunteer Potluck
DATE: Monday, July 24 | 5:30-7pm
LOCATION: 140 W. West Street | Baltimore, MD 21230
If you are interested in volunteering at this fun-filled meal service, please email Lilly Frazier at
lfrazier@baltimorestation.org for more information or to sign up!
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OPS Consulting's Charity Golf Event
DATE: Thursday, August 31 | 7:30am
LOCATION: Whiskey Creek Golf Club
Enjoy 18 holes of golf, use of practice facility, golf cart, bag service, breakfast, lunch, drink tickets, gift card awards, and a 50/50 raffle. opsconsultinggolf.com
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Visit one of our community partners' amazing flea markets! | | | | |
