Catholic Charities will open bilingual center in Dundalk to support those affected by Key Bridge collapse

Catholic Charities of Baltimore announced plans Sept. 5 to open and operate a new bilingual support center to provide a range of services to communities affected by the Key Bridge collapse and its aftermath. The center will open later this month and be located in the Dundalk historic district, just a short distance from the bridge location.

Grants from the Baltimore Community Foundation and The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation will support the center, according to a Sept. 5 media release.

The center will focus on health and wellness, immigration services and workforce development to drive community recovery and stabilization.

Catholic Charities plans to draw on staff and the expertise from three of its existing programs — the Esperanza Center, Our Daily Bread Employment Center and the Villa Maria Behavioral Health Clinic.

Catholic Charities of Baltimore is Maryland’s largest private provider of human services, with more than 80 programs in 200 locations.

The initiative is designed to enable the center, located at 2 N. Dundalk Ave., to facilitate services to all community members regardless of their primary language, immigration status or workforce experience. 

“We will meet clients where they are, without restrictions on eligibility or access, to ensure that everyone who walks through our doors will have the opportunity to voice their challenges, successes, and goals and achieve their God-given potential,” Catholic Charities said in the release.

William McCarthy Jr., outgoing executive director of Catholic Charities, said the organization is in a unique position to continue to help those affected by the bridge collapse.

“We are profoundly grateful to have the opportunity and resources to serve in a truly meaningful way those touched by this heart-rending tragedy,” said McCarthy, who is scheduled to retire in 2025. “With the compassionate support of the Baltimore Community Foundation and The Weinberg Foundation, we are going to lift up our neighbors and neighborhoods in need with service and love.”

According to the media release, the Baltimore Community Foundation has committed more than $1 million to the initiative over a two-year period through its “Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund.” The Weinberg Foundation is investing $300,000 over two years in the project and the people it serves, according to Catholic Charities.

“Catholic Charities is a respected human service provider with long-standing ties to the people and communities impacted by the collapse of the Key Bridge,” said Shanaysha M. Sauls, president and CEO of the Baltimore Community Foundation. “We are delighted to fund their important work.”

Elvis Guzman, program officer for The Weinberg Foundation, said: “We are honored to contribute to Catholic Charities’ recovery efforts following the Key Bridge collapse. By supporting the creation of this multi-service center, we hope to provide essential resources and a sense of stability to those who need it most.” 

Some of the services the center plans to provide include:

• Workforce development: Bilingual resource navigators will facilitate direct client access and referrals to existing programming at Our Daily Bread Employment Center. This includes career coaching, job-preparation courses and job placement. Eligible individuals might have the opportunity to pursue workforce certification courses at regional community colleges and other established partner organizations.

• Immigration services: Bilingual resource navigators will facilitate client access and referrals to programming at Esperanza. This includes immigration legal services, free primary care for the uninsured, English language training and professional case-management services. Eligible individuals might have the opportunity to receive services in housing, behavioral health, tax preparation and workforce development, among other areas.

• Health and wellness: Bilingual resource navigators will facilitate client access and referrals to behavioral health and primary care providers. Clients will have onsite access to individual and family therapy. Spanish-language therapy will be available.

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