(Anne Arundel County, MD. – Dec.14, 2018) The morning was full of Christmas cheer as young mothers and their preschool children from Catholic Charities’ Sarah’s House in Anne Arundel County welcomed Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan for a holiday party.
Sarah’s House provides shelter and opportunities to families experiencing homelessness due to unforeseen barriers. It serves as Anne Arundel County’s primary emergency family shelter. During the visit, Mrs. Hogan presented each preschooler with gifts that were donated by Target in partnership with the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.
“This community involvement validates our work and lets the families know that they are not forgotten,” said Kathryn Philliben, director of Sarah’s House. According to Philliben, there are presently 45 families with 67 children residing at Sarah’s House. Guests receive intensive case management, employment preparation programs, counseling, transportation to /from work and doctor’s appointments, and classes in parenting and other areas. The families and the staff are focused on supporting guests through the entire transition to living once again on their own.
Following the gift exchange, Mrs. Hogan admired the new playground generously donated and built by Lennar Builders. Also on display in the playground were ten new bikes ready for a test ride by eager children.
Sarah’s House was established in 1987, through a unique partnership between Anne Arundel County, Catholic Charities, and the U.S. Army. It continues to serve as a model of how nonprofit and government agencies can work together to improve lives. Today, Sarah’s House provides shelter and opportunities to families experiencing homelessness and unforeseen barriers.
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Catholic Charities of Baltimore is Maryland’s largest private provider of human services, offering assistance to children and families, people living in poverty, individuals with intellectual disabilities, immigrants and seniors without regard to religion, race or other circumstances. Inspired by the Gospel
