How long can we stay?

Home Sweet Home

I recall a conversation about a family that finally, after years of being homeless and transient, moved into their own home.  The first night there, as he was climbing in his bed, one of the boys looked at his mother and said, "this is nice.  How long can we stay here?"  His mother could finally tell him this was his home and he could stay forever.

Unfortunately, for thousands of children in Baltimore City and County, their parents don't have an answer to that question.  For too many children, where they will be and where they will sleep the next day is an uncertainty in their lives.  INNterim Shelter in Baltimore County is a place that allows a mother to provide an answer, if only temporarily, and offers some stability in a child's life.

INNterim Shelter is the only residential shelter in Baltimore County for homeless women and children, housing up to 9 families in its Pikesville location; Millie Johnson serves as the Executive Director.  After an evaluation interview, approved families are assigned a room and share communal bathrooms, a kitchen, and living/dining area.  In addition to physical housing, INNterim offers a program to assist mothers in developing employable skills in order to make a living wage to independently support their family.  More self-sufficient families may be placed in INNterim Apartments and Gardens, which offer more independent living options until fully on their own.

A few days before Christmas, we visited INNterim for their Holiday Open House.  In a room full of residents, Board members, and volunteers, we enjoyed refreshments and visits with Santa.  We were delighted by the children's program of Christmas and gospel songs including a heart-felt rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas, which, with the help of counting on her fingers, the little songstress remembered all the words!  We also met a mother who has become a self-published author, sharing her life story in order to improve the lives of others (look for a future post about her) and were entertained by songs by her daughter and a self-written rap by her son, Che.  His song, "I remember", was both heart-breaking and hopeful, as he sung about the teasing and negativity he's faced, but also his dreams for the future.

Through the generosity of Jeffers Foundation supporters, we donated 30 gift boxes filled with socks, mittens, hats, and scarves for the children at INNterim.    Just as many boxes were donated to Sarah's Hope in Baltimore City, also a residential shelter for mothers and their children.  Thank you for your support.

For more information or to support INNterim Shelter, visit their website - www.innterim.org or contact Millie Johnson, Executive Director at 410-486-8175.