For questions or to learn more about volunteering with GEDCO, contact Melodie Cunningham, at 410-433-2442 x 15 or mcunningham@gedco.org .
Opportunity: GEDCO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ABOUT GEDCO: Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation is a not-for-profit, charitable organization incorporated in 1991 by a coalition of faith leaders in the Govans neighborhoods of north Baltimore City. Over the past thirty years, GEDCO has developed hundreds of units of affordable housing for older adults, provided supportive housing to individuals exiting homelessness, and offered loving compassion to neighbors. Today, GEDCO is an independent, interfaith 501c3 organization driven by 500 community volunteers, 55 member organizations, a 25-member Board of Directors, 16 employees, a two-million-dollar annual operating budget, and a mission to provide affordable housing, supportive services, and emergency assistance to community residents to foster each person’s maximum human potential.
GEDCO PROGRAMS:
- Senior Services. GEDCO provides affordable housing and supportive services for approximately 450 older adults in Baltimore City at Stadium Place in Ednor Gardens, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Senior Housing at the Gallagher Mansion, and Epiphany House in the Govans community. GEDCO also offers a wide variety of supportive activities and services through operating the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Senior Center/Senior Network of North Baltimore. Approximately 1,000 low and moderate-income seniors each year participate in health and wellness activities through GEDCO’s varied senior programs, helping them remain healthy and an active part of their community.
- Community Services. Opened in 1993 as a centralized location for Govans-area faith institutions to refer families, GEDCO CARES supports 5,200 requests annually from 2,000 neighbors to avoid evictions and utility cut-offs, pay for costly prescription medicines, stretch tight food budgets, and have access to healthy food through a client-choice pantry. CARES employment program supports neighbors in creating resumes, conducting job searches, practicing for interviews, and maintaining employment. Annually, 200 volunteers provide 2,000 hours to implement CARES’ mission to reduce nutritional and financial insecurity, primarily for residents of northern Baltimore City.
- Homeless/Supportive Housing Services. GEDCO developed and owns Ascension Homes, Micah House, and Harford House, providing permanent supportive housing and services for 112 individuals/families who are disabled and formerly unhoused in northern Baltimore City.
- Real Estate Services. After implementing a vision for a continuum of care for older adults at Stadium Place, GEDCO is completing the 30+ acre former Memorial Stadium site. To date, they have developed six housing communities, one mixed use building with a neighborhood commercial center, a short- and long-term care community, and facilitated the developments of Gilchrist Baltimore Center, the Y of Central Maryland’s YMCA, preschool, and shade pavilion to serve residents and employees of Stadium Place and the surrounding communities. GEDCO also collaborates and serves as consultant with other neighborhood groups, non-profits, and for-profit organizations to advance affordable housing and equitable community development goals city-wide.
ABOUT GEDCO’s BOARD: The GEDCO Board of Directors is charged with ensuring GEDCO’s mission, fiscal health, and organizational governance. The 25-member Board of Directors aims to reflect the diversity of the neighbors and neighborhoods in which GEDCO programs operate through a combination of 25% GEDCO member-affiliated directors and 75% independent professional directors. All directors are expected to provide leadership by actively participating in bi-monthly board meetings, serving enthusiastically on one board committee, and donating or developing financial and other contributions to GEDCO according to personal ability and circumstances.
VISIONARY OPPORTUNITY: 2023 marks the near completion of GEDCO’s development of Stadium Place and continuum of care for older adults, the creation of the community hub and the consolidation of GEDCO’s administrative and community services program, the start of a new venture into property management, and the conclusion of GEDCO’s current strategic plan. With new staff members, new volunteers, and new board members resulting from Covid, the GEDCO Board of Directors is preparing for a new strategic planning process and seeks to reaffirm mission and develop of a new vision for the next ten years of the organization.
TO EXPRESS INTEREST: Please send a personalized cover letter/cover email with an attached resume to GEDCO Board Governance Chair, Erin O’Keefe at eokeefe@france-merrickfdn.org. Board recruitment is an ongoing/rolling process, with nominations finalized annually in February. This is an unpaid, voluntary position of approximately 10 hours month and a three-year term of commitment.
INDIVIDUALS NEEDED TO VOLUNTEER
AT CARES!
GEDCO’s CARES program is seeking dedicated volunteers who are willing to donate a minimum of 2-3 hours per month. Our staff is very flexible and willing to work with your individual 
scheduling needs.
At CARES, we are looking for Food Interviewers to asses clients’ eligibility for food assistance and perform data entry tasks. We are also seeking Food Pantry Workers to help clients select foods that they prefer, per pantry policies and procedures.
We need individuals on Monday mornings from 8:45 AM-11:30 AM and on Saturday mornings from 9:45 AM-12:30 PM. Click here for complete position descriptions.
For more information, contact Rachael Neill, CARES Program Director, at 410-532-7117 or rneill@gedco.org.
At CARES , we are seeking Job Search Assistants to aid clients in securing employment. We need individuals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 AM-3:00PM.
To volunteer at CARES sign up here.
Click here to watch a video and see how YOU can make a difference volunteering with CARES!
CONDUCT A FOOD DRIVE FOR OUR CLIENTS
Year-round, GEDCO relies heavily upon our Member Organizations and community partners in order to keep the shelves stocked at our CARES Food Pantry. Summer months are an especially slow time for food and toiletry donations within these programs.
Items always in need at CARES are cereal, peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna or salmon, rice, hearty soups, pasta, spaghetti sauce, mac & cheese, baked beans, and canned fruit. Toiletry items needed are toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap, deodorant and shampoo. For more information, contact: Rachael Neill, CARES Program Director at 410-532-7117 or rneill@gedco.org.
SPONSOR AN OUTING OR A GAME NIGHT FOR THE RESIDENTS IN GEDCO’S PROGRAMS
It is often a struggle to come up with the funds and/or the means to provide our residents with an opportunity to embark on a recreational outing, but when we are able to make it happen, they absolutely LOVE it! Last year, one of our Member Organizations donated tickets for several of our residents to attend an Orioles game and another one of our Members covered the cost of transportation for the evening- our clients had a wonderful time! Other past outings have included museum trips, bowling, and movie theater outings.
GEDCO’s residents also love when groups come to their respective programs and play games, such as bingo, Wii, monopoly, and card games. One factor that increases resident turnout is when groups bring food!