St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore opens newly rehabilitated Head Start April 12, 2023By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, St. Vincent de Paul Baltimore Rhonda Cox, director of family services for the new St. Vincent de Paul Baltimore Head Start center, shares her excitement for the future of their students during dedication ceremonies. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff) Archbishop William E. Lori celebrated the grand opening of a new Head Start facility operated by St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore in the former Ss. James and John School in East Baltimore April 12. The fully renovated building is the result of a $3 million dollar investment in the historic East Baltimore community. The building, one of the oldest Catholic School buildings in Baltimore City, features 10 refurbished classrooms with fully integrated technology, improved ventilation systems, and many other state-of-the-art improvements according to St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore The archbishop, who led a ribbon-cutting ceremony, said he was pleased to see the building continued to be used for education. School Sister of Notre Dame Provincial Leader Charmaine Krohe, from left, Dr. Lauanah King-Cassel, former principal of Ss. James and John Elementary School, and School Sister of Notre Dame Jeanne Barasha, attend the dedication of the new St. Vincent de Paul Baltimore Head Start center April 12, 2023, on Somerset Street. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff) Head Start early education programs provide support for lower-income families that extend beyond the classroom. The Whole Child/Whole Family model for Head Start “changes the trajectory of intergenerational poverty by meeting families where they are with the resources they need for long-term stability,” according to an April 11 news release from St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore. The result is higher test scores and graduation rates and improved health outcomes and financial stability for their families. “We are excited to be moving into our new home at the historic St. James St. John School,” said Olutunde Clarke, Vice President of Child and Family Services at St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore. “This investment strengthens our commitment to providing quality, tuition-free early childhood education along with parent support services for low-income families.” St. Vincent de Paul Head Start and Early Head Start serves more than 700 children and families throughout Baltimore City. For more information about St. Vincent de Paul’s Head Start program, visit headstartbaltimore.org. Read More Local News Most popular stories and commentaries of 2025 on CatholicReview.org Walking for peace in Baltimore, naming the dead Archbishop Lori preaches message of hope during two holiday homilies School Sisters of Notre Dame complete sale of former IND buildings Radio Interview: Wrapping up 2025 with Archbishop Lori Indiana running back Roman Hemby carries Catholic values with him as he pursues national title Copyright © 2023 Catholic Review Media Print
