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f e a t u r e

materials were used when possible,
and energy efficient lighting, heating,
ventilation, air conditioning and
appliances were installed. It is the
first building in the Baltimore
Caring in market of Bon Secours Mercy Health

to feature rooftop solar panels,
which will help offset future utility

West Baltimore costs and reduce the building’s
carbon footprint.

All of the new resource center’s services
and programs were selected by the
community through a collaboration
THE SISTERS OF BON SECOURS HAVE A DEEP CONNECTION process that began in 2019.
TO THE WEST BALTIMORE COMMUNITY WHERE THEY ESTABLISHED THEIR FIRST The center offers a gym with a basketball court, a to focus on residents’ needs. Throughout the
HEALTH CARE MINISTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. WEST BALTIMORE WAS HOME TO recording studio and a café along with offices for many year, BSCW leads neighborhood revitalization

THE SISTERS’ FIRST CONVENT IN THE UNITED STATES FOLLOWED BY A CHILDCARE in-demand services including occupational training, projects, delivers fresh, local foods to neighbors,
T They became important resources for West Baltimore’s This spring BSCW also completed renovation on another building affordable housing along with COVID-19
CENTER FOR WORKING MOTHERS, AND IN 1919, THE SISTERS’ FIRST HOSPITAL.
supports job seekers and provides high-quality
job placement, financial coaching and tax preparation.
vaccination clinics, block parties, back-to-school
he sisters came from Paris, France, in
to expand its Early Head Start program to serve up to 75 children. The
supply drives and much more.
residents by offering programs and services that addressed
1881 at the invitation of the Archdiocese
program is free for low-income families with children up to three years of
of Baltimore. They were known for their
the community’s holistic needs. When the hospital was
Through these programs and
age and provides case management and wraparound supports for parents
innovative approach to health care—visiting
commitment to the community of West Baltimore
patients in their homes. There are many stories
to further the mission of the
of the sisters caring for a patient’s whole family: providing sold in 2020, the Sisters of Bon Secours reinforced their to help with housing stability, employment and financial security. services, BSCW continues
through the expansion of BSCW. As part of these efforts,
BSCW serves an average of 4,000 community members annually and is
food and childcare and even temporarily running the on April 26 BSCW celebrated the opening of the Bon dedicated to working in partnership with the West Baltimore community Sisters of Bon Secours.
family business while a family member recuperated. Secours Community Works Community Resource Center.
The sisters have consistently reached beyond traditional
health care models to uplift and enrich the communities True to the sisters’ commitment to care
where they serve. for the earth, the new facility repurposed
an existing building that had been vacant
Through the years, Bon Secours Baltimore Hospital for more than a decade.
expanded its services to become a vital community partner.
Bon Secours Community Works (BSCW) and the The interior was completely renovated and redesigned
Bon Secours Baltimore Foundation were established in to adhere to the Baltimore City Green Building
1991 as the community development arms of the hospital. Code. Recycled and low-volatile organic compound

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