Catholic Charities breaks ground on Intergenerational Center

The West Baltimore community celebrated a historic milestone April 25 as Archbishop William E Lori led a groundbreaking ceremony for Catholic Charities of Baltimore’s new Intergenerational Center. Held on the grounds of the former Alexander Hamilton Elementary School, located at 800 Poplar Grove St., the ceremony culminated years of planning and community collaboration.

The Intergenerational Center aims to serve as a hub for lifelong learning, support and community engagement. With a diverse range of services and programs planned, including Head Start classrooms, workforce development initiatives, health and wellness services, and recreational areas such as basketball courts, the center seeks to support individuals at every stage of life.

“By bringing everyone together in one place – children, teens, working adults and older adults –  to learn and play and so much more, we can reap the powerful benefits of continual intergenerational collaboration and a true continuum of care,” William McCarthy Jr., executive director of Catholic Charities, told the Catholic Review. “This will help individuals to achieve their God-given potential and it will contribute mightily to families flourishing and neighborhood success.”

McCarthy said the concepts behind the Intergenerational Center are simple. The center will serve people through every stage of their lives. Early childhood education programs through Head Start will connect to family support and employment programming for teens and young adults, and older adults will have places to gather, volunteer and engage in shared activity, he said.

“This is important because we know that lifelong transformation demands lifelong relationships,” McCarthy explained. “Our goal is to be a catalyst for concerted and ongoing investment – investment of our time, space, resources and of ourselves. We want to walk together to combat intergenerational poverty and walk into a brighter future together.”

McCarthy said interactions between generations used to be commonplace, highlighting the value of mutual learning across different age groups. The Intergenerational Center, aims to restore and honor that custom by promoting mentorship, fostering leadership skills, facilitating collaborative learning and encouraging playful activities.

“After roughly five years of planning and the purchase of the former Alexander Hamilton Elementary School, we’re finally ready to dig in to build a brighter future for all. And we’re doing it in the best way possible – together,” McCarthy said.

Catholic Charities will repurpose the current school structure, and construction is expected to cost $32 million, funded mostly by private donations with support from the state. When completed, the Intergenerational Center will be a 54,940 square-foot, three-story building with a mostly brick facade.  

The groundbreaking ceremony saw a constellation of distinguished guests, which included community leaders, stakeholders and residents, who expressed excitement and anticipation for the center’s completion. 

Archbishop Lori, who chairs the board of Catholic Charities, offered a prayer for a “future filled with hope” for everyone in the community, invoking blessings upon the endeavors of the Intergenerational Center. 

Baltimore Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D, MD-7) shared personal anecdotes, expressing gratitude for the work of Catholic Charities. He thanked Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) for his leadership and emphasized the importance of the Intergenerational Center in fostering dignity and opportunity for all generations, noting that “all of us” can benefit from the Intergenerational Center. 

The congressman implored those attending to realize that the groundbreaking was about more than the physical brick and mortar; it was about “finding a way to intergenerationally affect people.” 

Scott highlighted the significance of community support and collaboration in realizing the Intergenerational Center’s vision. He emphasized the center’s role in creating opportunities for personal growth and community development. He said the center would become a place for the people to create “opportunities for people to grow into the best versions of themselves,” adding “because you all decided to invest here.” 

Sen. Antonio Hayes (D, MD-40, Baltimore City), recognized as a steadfast supporter of the Intergenerational Center, emphasized the significance of this project for the local community. His comments underscored the collective desire to see all generations come together in a shared pursuit of success and fulfillment. 

Robert Hunt, described as the “truth speaker” by McCarthy, concluded the groundbreaking ceremony’s remarks. Hunt, representing the Alliance of Rosemont Community Organization (ARCO), expressed deep passion for the project, underscoring its importance for the community’s well-being.

The ceremony culminated in the symbolic groundbreaking, with community leaders wielding golden shovels to mark the beginning of a new chapter. Brimming with excitement and anticipation, children enrolled in the Head Start program joined in the ceremonial act, representing the promise of growth, learning and community enrichment.

There will be something for everyone at the Intergenerational Center: art programs, wellness, yoga, outdoor playgrounds and two basketball courts, one that will be covered in a dome. 

“We wanted to build a place where everyone would want to come,” McCarthy told the Catholic Review. “We wanted to build something that would bring all neighbors together,” not just Catholic Charities and our programs.”

Marnell Coleman, a teacher in the Head Start program, expressed her enthusiasm for the center’s potential to positively impact the community, notably by expanding access to early childhood education. Young Syncere, aged 5, echoed her sentiments and eagerly anticipated the center’s completion. 

“I can’t wait to play!” he exclaimed, embodying the spirit of hope and anticipation that the Intergenerational Center represents for the West Baltimore community.

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