Stories from the Our Daily Bread Employment Center

Abell Foundation Funds Technology Upgrade
Our Daily Bread Employment Center and My Sister’s Place Women’s Center recently received a generous $500,000 grant from the Abell Foundation. A portion of the funds were used to upgrade ODBEC’s public computer lab, offering clients newer and faster technology to assist in their employment search.

Commitment to Change Yields Brighter Futures
Ronald, Clifton, and Paul entered Christopher Place Employment Academy like most men before them - homeless, lost, and without a plan to get their lives back on track. Today, after much hard work and dedication as well as the opportunities afforded them through Christopher Place Employment Academy, these three men have found a path towards a brighter future with new careers at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Creating a Path Toward Stable Employment
Every Friday the sounds of accomplishment and congratulations can be heard humming from the classroom at ODBEC which hosts the weekly Work 4 Success Employability Workshop.

Darnell Taylor
When Darnell was released from prison, he had no where to turn, but then he stopped in for a meal at the Our Daily Bread Employment Center. "Without Our Daily Bread Employment Center, I could be back to prison,” he says. Read about how he rebuilt his life.

Delivering Fresh Fruit and Hugs
Lynn Wintriss, or the “Fruit Lady,” as she is endearingly referred to by many of the Christopher Place men has been a monthly staple at Christopher Place for nearly four years.

Doing More with Less -- State and City Government Officials Volunteer at ODB
State and City Government Officials Volunteer at ODB

Farm Fresh Offerings at Our Daily Bread
Arthur Morgan of Hamilton Crop Circle organizes a collection of surplus fresh produce from the Baltimore Farmers' Market each week to be donated Our Daily Bread where it is quickly prepared to be served as healthy side dish.

Jeff's Story
When Jeff entered the Our Daily Bread Employment Center looking for a change he was unshaven, in soiled clothing, and was living in dire survival mode. Years of alcohol abuse had left him homeless, friendless, and without support of his family. Read about how Jeff has turned his life around.

Keith's Story
“I feel like I let the community down a little bit when I was using drugs. Now that I'm here I want to give something back to all the people that come here - the groups that tour, the volunteers, the new guys in the program, everyone,” says Keith. Read Keith's story about how the Christopher Place Employment Academy has helped him build a new life.

Michelle's Story
When Michelle came into the Our Daily Bread Employment Center she was nine months pregnant, distressed, angry, and with feet so swollen her shoes could barely be removed. Read her story of hope and new life.

More Blessed To Give Than Receive
Monte is just one of a handful of volunteers who regularly volunteer to serve meals that they themselves rely on as their main source of food each day.

Ray's Story
Ray spent most of his life in and out of prison. Today, Ray has graduated from the Maryland Re-Entry Partnership, is a member of the Christopher Place Employment Academy, and can be seen riding his new scooter to Carrabba’s Italian Grill where he has been employed since May 2008, and will begin classes this fall at Baltimore City Community College where he will major in computer technology.

Ronald Discovers Recipe for Success at ODBEC

Spiritual Retreat Guides Christopher Place Men on Their Journey
The men of Christopher Place Employment Academy renew their spirits by participating in a three day reflective retreat at Seneca Rocks in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forrest this summer.

The ODB Senior Breakfast Program Offers More than Meals
“There is a real camaraderie between the staff, volunteers and those of us eating breakfast [at Our Daily Bread]," says Warren Bell.