Guadalupe Espino Molina has often wondered: If the Francis Scott Key Bridge hadn’t collapsed, would the Building Hope Center Dundalk even exist? As the nonprofit’s case manager, she always comes back to one answer: Yes.
“There was a need even before the bridge collapse,” Molina said. “But after the collapse, that need grew even greater.”
In September, Building Hope Center Dundalk opened its doors as a partnership between three Catholic Charities programs: the Esperanza Center, Our Daily Bread Employment Center and the Villa Maria Behavioral Health Clinic. The center provides a range of services in one location.
Serving Dundalk, Essex and the surrounding areas, the center helps a community that became even more isolated after the bridge collapse, Molina explained. All services are provided free of charge.
One standout feature of the center is its on-site bilingual services, offering a Spanish interpreter every day. However, Molina emphasized that the center is open to all.
“Lots of different cultures walk through our doors,” Molina said. “We’re not just here for the Spanish community. We’re here for everyone.”
In today’s political climate, Molina said clients know the center is “a safe place” to access needed services.
“We have a good rapport with our clients, a strong connection,” Molina said.
The center also accepts clothing donations, including baby and maternity clothes, for its Building Hope Closet.
Since opening in September with just nine clients, the center had served 206 clients by the end of February. Molina expects that number to reach 260 by the end of March.
While the center offers services such as job preparation and English language training, Molina said the most urgent need right now is mental health care, especially for those without insurance. A therapist is on-site.
“We are counselors,” Molina said of her staff. “We guide people, offer information and provide tools they can use.”
Before leaving, every client is assessed for factors such as employment, income and mental health to ensure they get the support they need.
“It’s important,” Molina said. “We want to make a difference.”
Email Katie V. Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org
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