WALDORF, Md. — Women and families across Maryland face homelessness and domestic violence at alarming rates. The light at the end of the tunnel is often found at one of the few women’s shelters in Southern Maryland.
Run by Catholic Charities of DC, Angel’s Watch is a shelter in Southern Maryland that serves women in Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties. The charity and its many volunteers are proud to provide an array of helpful services to women and families in need of shelter.
The BayNet sat down with Catholic Charities’ Director of Women’s and Family Housing Programs Blair Copeland and Senior Program Manager at Angel’s Watch Kathy Ruben to learn more about the shelter and its services.
A Mission to Help Women Get Back on Their Feet
Before all else, the mission at Angel’s Watch is to help people regain stability. When asked about the shelter’s creation, Copeland said, “I think it’s a response to the community. Catholic missions are to serve those who are in need, so this was an immediate response to the community.”
One of the biggest challenges for many women at Angel’s Watch is securing childcare. To work reliably, mothers need a safe environment for their young children.
“In order to get a childcare voucher, you have to be able to provide proof of income,” Copeland said. “How can you provide proof of income if you don’t have the time to search for a job because you’re managing your childcare? It’s one of the things we try to support in-shelter.”
Helping Women Find Employment and Housing
The volunteer force at Angel’s Watch works tirelessly to help women secure stable jobs so they can independently provide for themselves and their families. Ruben explained the process in her own words.
“Every family is assigned a case manager, and the case managers help connect individuals with different collaborating agencies,” Ruben said. “We have a strong relationship with the public schools. We have the job bus that comes to the shelter, so people can apply to jobs without having to go to the job source.”
The long-term goal for each woman is to achieve self-sufficiency in both employment and housing, as Ruben emphasized.
“Our goal is to get them to the point where the women can get affordable housing and then connect people with other resources once they leave here,” she said.
Raising Awareness About Homelessness
Homelessness is a worldwide crisis, but not everyone understands its impact in America, Ruben explained.
“I think that the issue of homelessness is not as known as it should be,” Ruben said. “People don’t understand it and don’t understand some of the struggles that they go through.”
Women suffering from homelessness and domestic violence are the primary recipients of care at Angel’s Watch, but the shelter also provides a place to stay for families in need.
“We have a hypothermia program, so any family who is on the street can have a place of refuge to avoid being outside in the cold,” Ruben said. “We’re trying to wrap our arms around anybody in the community who needs that kind of support.”
A Safe, Supportive Environment
Copeland highlighted the ways Angel’s Watch creates a safe and comforting environment, particularly for women fleeing domestic violence.
“Angel’s Watch was designed to be a place of comfort and refuge for people,” Copeland said. “For example, every family has their own room and bathroom that locks, and that gives people a sense of safety and autonomy. We try to make it as comfortable as we can as they work toward their self-sufficiency.”
How the Community Can Help
Though the volunteers at Angel’s Watch work hard to provide women with the resources they deserve, community support is essential to keeping the shelter stocked with necessities.
Catholic Charities offers volunteer opportunities and accepts financial donations to support the shelter. Angel’s Watch also has a meal donation program, where community members can provide a warm meal for residents, helping each woman and family feel more at home in their temporary residence.
Angel’s Watch will continue to provide support to Southern Maryland women for years to come. Special thanks to Kate Kennedy, Blair Copeland, Kathy Ruben, and all of the volunteers at Catholic Charities for their dedication to this mission.
If you’re seeking help or would like to donate a home-cooked meal, you can contact Angel’s Watch at 301-274-0680.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
