Collective Effort Yields Huge Results
“When everyone comes together to do a little, it so easily turns into a lot.” This is Colin McGonigal’s approach to leading the casserole collection for Our Daily Bread at his parish, Sacred Heart, Glyndon. With the help of more than 75 faith-based communities, schools, businesses, and groups of friends who are committed monthly casserole [...]
Charles McFadden Transforms a Life as a Villa Maria Mentor
Charles McFadden began serving as a mentor with Villa Maria in 2005 after he met a residential treatment counselor from Villa Maria at a Bible study class. When the counselor mentioned that there were so many African-American boys living at Villa Maria, but very few African-American male mentors, Charles began to think, “I have the [...]
Breakfast with a Smile
Michele Sheldon Rubio donates and prepares breakfast at ODBEC. (Photo by Renée Johnson) The aroma of Michele Sheldon Rubio’s signature cinnamon-laced biscuits whets the appetites of waiting breakfast diners at Our Daily Bread Employment Center. As the St. Matthew’s parishioner ladles hot, buttery grits into bowls, she makes sure the portions are generous. She says, [...]
Blackwater Falls Retreat
by Arthur Krieger As the kids say at Villa, HUMP DAYYYYYYY! The week has been fine so far, but Project SERVE had half of last week off for our fall retreat. So, of course, I wish I was still doing that. The four-hour drive to Davis, West Virginia was beautiful, a scenic tour over meandering [...]
Bank of America Partners with Christopher Place for the 2012 Dragon Boat Races
For the 2010 Dragon Boat Races, Team Bank of America was partnered with Christopher Place Employment Academy. What started as just a partner assignment, however, culminated in a rewarding relationship, a relationship that continues to grow. Team Bank of America and the men from Christopher Place (CP) got to know each other well during the [...]
Back for a Second Year in Project SERVE
Hello Catholic Charities of Baltimore! It’s been a while, but I’m back! You’re stuck with me for another year as one of the Project SERVE year-long volunteers. I’m glad to have the opportunity for another year of service at Villa Maria and I’m looking forward to getting back in the swing of things at the [...]
Anna’s Guys Make Fast Friends at Anna’s House
It has always been the good fortune of Anna’s House to have great friends and excellent partnerships within the community. One such friend is Rod Bourn and his group who call themselves, Anna’s Guys. With an interest in helping children who have been displaced from their relatives, neighborhoods, friends, and schools because of homelessness, [...]
An Angel Among Us: Gina Adams
On January 5, 2009, Gina Adams opened a Dove chocolate and the message inside said, “try something new” and that has become her mission. This year, she celebrates her 50th birthday and has decided to give a little bit of herself back to her community. To do so, Gina plans to run a sprint triathlon [...]
Air Force Volunteers in Full Force at Sarah’s House Bull Roast
Trish Murphy of Loyola College spends her spring break serving meals at Our Daily Bread. Jason Vottero, of the Air Force’s Top-3 Association Members of the Air Force’s First-6 and Top-3 Associations were out in full force Sunday, March 2 to lend a hand at the 16th Annual Sarah’s House Family Bull Roast. With great [...]
AAI Employees Get to Work at Villa Maria
AAI employees Phil Jurkiewicz, Christopher Bell, and Gary Lessner, work on a bike at Villa Maria. Instead of sleeping in on a recent Saturday, seventeen employees from AAI Corporation arrived bright and early to repair bikes for Villa Maria's Residential Treatment Program and also to beautify the grounds of the Villa Maria campus in Timonium. [...]