Susanna Wesley House, Inc.

The Story of Susanna Wesley House, Incorporated

There are stories behind every building -especially in older, industrial cities like Baltimore whose housing was built around the thriving manufacturing companies in the 1800’s. The Susanna Wesley House is no exception. The two townhouses at 607 and 609 Park Avenue are believed to have been built in 1845 by separate owners. The houses were each sold several times until they were purchased by the Women’s Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Since that time, the houses have served women in a variety of capacities.

In 1919, The Women’s Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church opened a home for working girls in a rented house on West Fayette Street called Wo-Ho-Mis Lodge. In 1921, they purchased the property at 609 Park Avenue for $17,000 in fee. It was formally opened in January 1922 as a boarding house for working women. In 1925, the property at 607 Park Avenue was purchased and opened in 1926 with 12 women residents. Over the next half century there were name changes, but the mission of helping women remained the same.

In 1993, the properties (then called Park Avenue Lodge) were not being fully utilized, and 609 was partially rented out to another non-profit agency. The building was severely damaged in a fire and 607 suffered smoke and water damage. Two years later, the Board of Directors of the Lodge decided to concentrate on restoring 609 Park Avenue as a transitional home for homeless women and their children. The name was changed again to Susanna Wesley House, Inc., in honor of the mother of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. By 1999, the building was ready to accept mothers and their children and opened in January of that year. Fifteen mothers and their children occupied the house. All of the meals were served by staff in the dining room, and before and after school care was provided to mothers who were working or in job training.

Administrative challenges and the cost of the program in 2001 and 2002 caused the house to be closed and the mothers and children to be relocated in other facilities. The Susanna Wesley House Board began a search for an organization with whom to partner to reopen the house. After visiting a number of programs and examining their mission, the Board decided that the Women’s Housing Coalition (WHC) had a mission most closely aligned with their own and dialogue between the two organizations began.

In 2003, an agreement was signed with WHC to reopen the Susanna Wesley House after extensive planning between the two organizations. It was agreed that the house needed to be reconfigured to provide nine living units with each mother having two bedrooms and a private bath. Some units would share kitchens. Extensive renovation was needed for this as well as more stringent lead abatement. Over $400,000 was raised.

The house opened with 3 families in January 2004, and was quickly at capacity as it has been ever since. The executive officers of the Board of Directors of SWH act together fulfill the role of an executive director. Onsite services for the residents include family reunification, parenting skills, primary health care, educational services, employment and computer training, and health seminars, to name of few. The model emphasizes the active involvement of each resident in designing her self-sufficiency goals. Referrals are also made to services that can enhance a resident’s capacity for success, such as mental health counseling. Resident are also assisted with their application for government benefits that they may be entitled. The children have access to a variety of activities including tutoring, field trips, summer camp, and a host of recreational and cultural activities.

The SKIP (Susanna’s Kids in Play) Room is filled with computers, books, and videos. The children can do homework, arts and crafts, take advantage of tutoring, or just relax and have fun. The Board of Susanna Wesley House provides the SKIP Room and an outdoor play area with play equipment and picnic tables, and hosts a number of special activities for the residents throughout the year.

To date, Susanna Wesley House continues its mission to provide safe housing and access to necessary services for previously homeless women and children. We also seek to expand our work and program capacity, in partnership with service providers who share our vision to positively impact the lives of those in need.