Druid Heights Transitional Housing Program for Women and Children—Project "Brighter Days"

Our mission is to cause, encourage and promote community self-empowerment through the development of economic, educational, employment and affordable housing opportunities.

Druid Heights Community Development Corporation (DHCDC) assists low-income Druid Heights residents with housing. DHCDC builds and renovates homes, provides workshops for first-time home buyers, and helps provide housing for seniors and for those re-entering the community from prison. The agency also offers after-school and summer programs for children.

In addition, DHCDC owns a 14-unit building, Druid House, for 24 women and their children transitioning from homeless shelters and unhealthy living conditions. This program guides and supports women as they move toward independent living, ideally within two years. Through its Brighter Days project, Druid House provides case management services, which include mental health treatment, counseling, and assistance with job searches and resume-writing. Brighter Days also supports families by providing a monthly food pantry, educational training, transportation, assistance in obtaining state ID and legal documents, and access to computers, emergency hygiene products, and interview attire, as well as other services.

The Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle grant was used mostly for rental and utility assistance, carpet cleaning, unit repairs and extermination. This assistance improved the tenants' lives by saving them from eviction and improving their living conditions. Grant was also used to help tenants with identification papers, GED testing, and self-improvement.