Walden Sierra “Walden” has been serving the community since 1973. Their crisis and trauma services focus on St. Mary’s County, while their residential substance abuse treatment services at Anchor and Compass House serve the Southern Maryland region. Walden was formed in response to unmet community needs, and we continue to develop our programming in response to the behavioral health needs and concerns of the Southern Maryland region.
Walden is a community-based behavioral health non-profit offering a range of crisis, counseling, and treatment services for individuals struggling with trauma, mental health or substance abuse/alcohol issues. As a partner to children, adults and families facing issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, drug abuse or alcohol problems, they offer an environment of hope, timely assistance, and tools for change delivered by professional counselors, advocates and caring volunteers.
Walden has three services sites in St. Mary’s County. Their primary walk-in crisis and outpatient location is at Hope Place in Lexington Park. Compass House (for women and mothers) is in California, Maryland and Anchor in Charlotte Hall offers both outpatient and residential detoxification/ treatment services. We have also recently opened an outpatient facility for adults in Waldorf. Walden staff is also co-located at community-based settings to include the St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services, Parole and Probation, the St. Mary’s County Detention Center and in several St. Mary’s County Public Schools locations.
Walden is exceeding projections for individuals served in their program in all areas. They are also working hard to be a resource to the community in terms of education and community engagement around the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, addiction, and recovery.
Walden hosts several awareness and fundraising events in the community. These events help Walden to offset costs of operating our programs—especially our crisis services—which often cost them more to provide than grant funding covers. These events also allow them to share their mission with the community and make community members more aware of how they all can be part of building a community that supports those recovering from abuse, trauma and addiction.
Their next event is on May 21st at 9 a.m. The Walden 5K is a cross-country race and fun run/walk held at Greenwell State Park. Event participation includes the race/fun run or walk, t-shirts, raffle tickets for prizes, refreshments, and a daily parking pass to Greenwell. Pre-regi
