Expansion of Baltimore's Roberta's House makes history

Covid-19 has only magnified the systemic inequalities that persist in the United States and nonwhite Americans, especially African Americans, have been hit hard on nearly every front.

Helping Maryland children and families to heal in the midst of the pandemic and prepared to serve as we recover.

BALTIMORE, MD (March 1, 2021)— Since the first confirmed case of COVID in Maryland, the state has seen more than 7,700 pandemic related deaths, with 45% being minorities. This impact has forced everyone to look at life differently, particularly in brown and black neighborhoods across the state.

Covid-19 has only magnified the systemic inequalities that persist in the United States and nonwhite Americans, especially African Americans, have been hit hard on nearly every front.

But there is a beacon of hope, that is helping urban Maryland communities to repair from the traumatic wounds left behind by the loss that many children and families have suffered, the expansion of Roberta’s House and the opening of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center at Roberta’s House. The new Center is located at 928 E. North Avenue, in Baltimore.

This all-new grief center is the first of its kind in the nation to address the growing concerns of urban grief plus offer support for healing the entire family.

A grief center, founded by March Funeral Homes family in 2007, Roberta’s House provides free bereavement support for the entire family system and programs/services dedicated to helping address and cope with loss.

Since opening, this non-profit has become the leading pioneer in addressing grief as public health prevention against violent behavior. At the helm, is Annette March-Grier who was recognized as a CNN Hero, in 2014, for her work.

In the spring Roberta’s House will officially open its doors to its new state-of-the-art center located in East Baltimore. This expansion allows the organization to double its support in addressing the growing concerns of urban grief and provide healing for the entire family system.

This all-new grief center is the first of its kind in the nation to address the growing concerns of urban grief plus offer support for healing the entire family.

“With the new center we have the capacity to increase the number of families we serve each year…we can now help up to 300 people a week.” says Grier.

This all-new grief center is the first of its kind in the nation to address the growing concerns of urban grief plus offer support for healing the entire family.

This is significant in the midst of the unfathomable loss that has happened in the last year, especially in Maryland’s black and brown communities.

“The new center is more than what we could’ve ever imagined; It will represent a shift in the way minorities start the healing process. It is a catalyst that will move people out of sadness and grief to a state of hope and joy. People will feel safer to reach out, feeling a welcoming sense of safety and a shift to how minorities think about grieving and embrace support and help” commented Dr. Paulette Tillery-Williams, Director of Homicide Survivor Advocacy Program at Roberta’s House.

The center will assist individuals and families through comprehensive programs, including counseling, peer support, advocacy, education, research and holistic practices. Additionally, the building will open debt-free thanks to the center’s Capital Campaign team including the Honorary Chair, the late Congressman Elijah E. Cummings.

“Congressman Cummings was a leading advocate for trauma-informed care,” stated March-Grier. His passion for the work of Roberta’s House was exceptional.”

Since its inception Roberta’s House has provided services to over 8,000 children and adults. With this expansion they hope to exceed this number quickly and help more children and families in Baltimore and throughout Maryland to properly heal and cope with loss.

The New Roberta’s House Grief Support Center

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building at Roberta’s House will be the first bereavement center in the nation founded by, and serving, the African American community. The 22,000 square foot building was designed by Penza Bailey Architects and built by the Whiting-Turner Construction Company.

The new Roberta’s House Grief Support Center is made possible through the generous support of:

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation

Williard Hackerman Foundation

The Abell Foundation

Baltimore City Mayor’s Office

France-Merrick Foundation, Inc.

William L. & Victorine Q. Adams Foundation

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

The Whiting-Turner Construction Company

Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation

Roberta’s House Board of Directors

New York Life Foundation

Maryland DHCD Project Core

Alison & Arnold Richman Fund

Maryland Governor’s Capital Budget

Maryland State General Assembly

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About Roberta’s House

Roberta’s House, a 501c3 nonprofit family grief support center, was founded in 2007 by the March Family to address the high risk of children in Baltimore City developing maladaptive and violent coping behaviors after a death. Roberta’s House offers comprehensive bereavement support programs. Roberta’s House is the only organization of its kind, providing free bereavement support for the entire family system. With a professional staff of 21 and over 500 trained volunteers, Roberta’s House offers trauma-informed care that uniquely supports the grieving process and helps children and families cope with loss. Roberta’s House has provided services to over 8,000 children and adults. Roberta’s House is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the public to perform its mission.

Visit: https://robertashouse.org/

Questions about how to support Roberta’s House: Alexander Satorie-Robinson (410) 339-2164 or email donations@robertashouse.org

Watch: https://youtu.be/DNndn-0mOQM (more info on the new building)

Follow: (FB) /RobertasHouseMD (IG) @RobertasHouseMD