Founded by Reverend Jack Sharp and clergy from 7 churches of different denominations in Baltimore as Gedco Homes, GEDCO was incorporated in 1991 as Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation. Today, this group has grown to include over 55 Member Organizations.
This year, we celebrate 30 years of providing safe, affordable housing and supportive services to the area’s underserved populations, including homeless individuals, lower income, older adults and individuals with chronic mental illness.
“From day one, it was like they had always known me. Being here is a new hope of life for me.”
– Micah House resident
Sylvia, homeless services – “GEDCO provides housing and other case management for me. GEDCO saved my life. When I met the people at GEDCO I was homeless in a shelter. I have permanent housing now. They helped me to face challenges in my life. I’m a recovering addict. I have mental issues. I have health issues – I’m HIV positive. I’m looking forward to going back to school, I have a new relationship with my family. Here they care about you and go above and beyond to help.”
“I have a lot of friends and neighbors that are my family. We have a lot of activities- bingo, bible study. I love living here.” – Karen, Stadium Place resident
James, Harford House resident – “I became homeless when I was in an accident. I lost my healthcare. I had to use my savings. I lost my home. I’m involved in an advocacy group at Harford House to get people involved in activities. Don’t forget where you come from so you can be an asset to the community. Harford House allows me to be active in my life.”
Help Us Celebrate 30 Years of GEDCO!
Send us a photo that represents what GEDCO means to you or of you at GEDCO!
Email photos to: narchuleta@gedco.org
Please consider making a donation to help us reach our goal of $300,000 in our 30th Anniversary year so we can continue Building Caring & Compassionate Communities for years to come.
You can either make a one-time donation, or donate a minimum of $30 per month for 30 months through our 30/30 campaign. Click here to make a recurring donation towards the 30/30 campaign and learn what your donation may be used for.
We also invite everyone to join our last and biggest event of the year to celebrate our 30th Anniversary… The Thanksgiving Tribute! Guests have the option to attend the event in-person at the B & O Railroad museum, or virtually via live stream. To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, click here.
GEDCO Through the Years:
1984: 7 pastors of different denominations along the York Road corridor get together to address the housing crisis for older adults in northern Baltimore City
1985: The 7 pastors develop Epiphany House, a 33-unit housing facility for low-income seniors (ages 62+) and older adults (ages 55+) with a disability, in a pre-civil war era hotel
1988: The pastors assume Ascension Homes, three renovated single family houses in Govans operating as group homes for individuals with chronic mental illnesses.
1991: Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation is incorporated
1994: GEDCO opens CARES, which provides emergency food and financial assistance to community residents.
1994: Harford House opens, a 26-unit permanent residence for formerly homeless men that offers counseling and supportive services.
1996: GEDCO renovates and opens Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Gallagher Mansion, a historic mansion that was part of the Underground Railroad and now contains 40 permanent housing units for older adults.
1999: GEDCO awarded rights to the former Memorial Stadium, home of the Baltimore Colts and Orioles, to develop Stadium Place.
1999: GEDCO opens Micah House, a permanent housing and supportive services for formerly homeless men and women.
April 2004: The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Court Apartments open, the first on Stadium Place Campus
September 2004: Our Partner, The Y of Central Maryland opens on Stadium Place campus
December 2004: Ednor I Apartments open on Stadium Place
August 2006: Venable II Apartments open on Stadium Place
September 2008: Ednor II Apartments open
April 2012: Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Green House Residences open
July 2014: Heritage Run Apartments open
February 2017: GEDCO scheduled to break ground on the Village Center
March 2020: GEDCO residents and staff went into quarantine, but still continued essential operations to keep the community safe, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic
October 2020: The Gilchrist Center of Baltimore broke ground on the Stadium Place campus
July 2021: The Village Center’s first residents moved in to the Zen Apartments