GEDCO

Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO), a Baltimore-based nonprofit developer of subsidized housing and social service provider. GEDCO primarily serves low-income seniors and previously homeless men and women through affordable housing and support programs.

Background

In the early 1980s, led by a local minister, Reverend Jack Sharp, the pastors of seven churches along the York Road corridor, in the Govans neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, started meeting together regularly to discuss the common needs of their congregations and communities.

They were especially concerned AbOUT the needs of the low-income frail elderly members of their congregations.

The first project to evolve out of that union of churches was Epiphany House–the conversion of a rehabilitated pre-Civil War hotel located along the old York Road Turnpike. It was a complex project involving realtors, developers, several government agencies. With the assistance of then Lt. Governor, Joe Curran, to overcome many obstacles, construction moved forward resulting in 33 low-income efficiencies which have been rented to frail elderly men and women since 1985, and now 55 and older with disabilities are eligible as well.

During this process, the consultant, Mr. Steve Joy, guided the ministers through the establishment of a non-profit housing corporation. In 1984 they formally incorporated as Govans Ecumenical Homes (GEH). Before Epiphany House had opened, there was another request for help, that would lead to another housing project: Ascension Homes. An old parishioner was deeply concerned about what would happen to his adult child, who suffered from serious mental illness, when he could no longer take care of his son. GEH agreed to tackle the task for building a group home that would meet that need. They built three!

GEH acquired three vacant homes in the area and renovated them to serve as rental units for 20 men and women who suffer from mental illnesses and are in need of stable living environments with supportive services; thus was Ascension Homes born.

GEH had to overcome much community concern in the establishment of these group homes which opened in 1988, and continues to operate them with financing from HUD 202, a 40-year loan and Section 8 rental assistance subsidies. GEH partnered with People Encouraging People to provide counseling services in its group home settings.

About that time, one of Baltimore’s major foundations, The Goldseker Foundation, which had been providing grants over the years, challenged GEH to become more formalized in its efforts and form a development corporation; thus Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO) was created and employed a full-time Executive Director in 1991; Julia Pierson. Julia served as Executive Director from 1991-2003.

GEDCO set about expanding its membership base of churches, civic organizations and local businesses to build more “social capital” and continue to address global problems locally and raise money collectively. Membership has grown from seven to forty-seven.

GEDCO continued to ‘take ventures of faith’ building social & financial capital:

1994: Harford House, a 26-unit SRO rental residence for homeless men was opened on North Ave.

1996: Gallagher Mansion: 40-units of subsidized supportive housing for seniors opened in a renovated county home just off of York Road.

1998: Micah House, a 33-unit SRO rental residence was opened for homeless men and women opened on York Road.

Then the churches felt the need to pull together in responding to the need for emergency food and financial needs of the community and the CARES (Civic And Religious Emergency Services) evolved. It started with a small pantry in a closet in the old Mayor’s Stations in Govans.

Prior to CARES, [GEDCO] was focusing on housing and supportive services for low-income frail elderly, mentally disabled and formerly homeless adult men and women, but this program expanded the supportive services part of the mission.

Today, CARES provides food, emergency financial assistance and advocacy for over 7,000 individuals each year, and the needs are escalating. Recently, we have seen a 50% increase in people who come to our door for assistance. This past, over 12,000 bags of food were given out at no cost to the client. At the same time, over 5,000 volunteer hours were donated by the over 150 volunteers who pull together four days per week to operate this program.

CARES is a great example of people of all faiths, ages and races coming together consistently and efficiently with the involvement of our 47 member organizations to respond to community needs directly and indirectly on site or through their congregations and community locations.

After Julia stepped down in 2003, Mitch Posner became the second Executive Director, and is the current Director. As the GEDCO Board continued to expand, Father Ed Kenny, of St. Mary's of the Assumption (Govans) replaced Rev. Jack Sharp as President of GEDCO, and Rev. Sharp took on the position of President of GEDCO's newest project; Stadium Place (See below).

Stadium Place

–a Major Venture of Faith!

A “miracle on 33rd Street” happened following the demolition of Memorial Stadium and the development of the property was under consideration by the City of Baltimore. It became a “David and Goliath” situation when GEDCO proposed affordable housing and a YMCA to serve the surrounding communities and the low and moderate income seniors of Baltimore City. A community playground was added to the mix, and GEDCO, in partnership with the surrounding communities, prevailed to win the contract to develop the open 30 acres on 33rd Street. This "Affordable Retirement Community" on a mixed income and multiple age campus, is seen as the natural fulfillment of the original vision that established Epiphany House -- only, with the services to be provided at Stadium Place so that those who choose to live there, will never be forced, byhealth, or finances, to leave.

This past year, in partnership with Enterprise Homes, Inc., GEDCO completed and opened the fourth building at Stadium Place, Ednor Apartments II. This newest building at Stadium Place includes 85 affordable additional 1 & 2 bedroom apartments for seniors, bringing our total number of affordable rental units up to 340! Upon completion, Stadium Place will be home for more than 500 seniors.