09-17-2023 GAR - Flipbook - Page 11
A Special Advertising Section of Baltimore Sun Media Group | Sunday, September 17, 2023 11
Creative Outlets to Help Veterans Heal
The Baltimore Station
F
or more than 34years, The Baltimore Station has helped turn
lives around through an innovative therapeutic residential
and outpatient treatment program supporting veterans who are homeless or
unstably housed and are dealing with issues such as mental health and substance
use disorders. The organization has two
facilities – a 90-bed facility in South
Baltimore and a 40-bed location in the
Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood of
Baltimore City, as well as two rowhouses
in West Baltimore for transitional housing, but what may set The Baltimore Station apart is its focus on creative therapies and getting veterans out in nature.
In addition to mandatory classes, veterans take part in activities such as art,
drama, music, camping, meditation, fishing and storytelling. “We want to replace
a negative activity such as alcohol with
a positive prosocial one such as fishing,”
says Kim Callari, interim executive director at The Baltimore Station. “We had
a previous resident who became vocal
for the first time once he took a drumming class; over two years later, he’s still
involved with drumming and leads his
drumming circles. It’s a way to express
yourself in a different way,” she says.
Program recipients also receive client-centered case management, relapse
prevention, grief and loss counseling,
mental health therapy , peer facilitative
groups, and more. All programs and services are provided free of cost.
“Each year, we also go to Camp
Puh’tok in Monkton for three days and
two nights. The men plan, prepare and
cook food for the entire group and enjoy songs by the campfire with musicians
Are You a
Veteran Experiencing
Homelessness &
Addiction?
from Our Joyful Noise Baltimore. They
also participate in rock climbing, archery, horseback riding and swimming.
Equine therapy can be very beneficial,
and many of these men have never seen a
horse before. The ability to get out in nature where it’s peaceful, quiet and there
are no sirens gives them the chance to sit
and think,” Callari says.
Callari notes that residents at The Baltimore Station come from as far away as
California and Puerto Rico.
“Our mission is to serve the entire
veteran population in any way we can.
We do outreach in the community and
in homeless encampments – many people
experiencing homelessness are veterans –
to let them know about The Baltimore
Station. Some of them may need a slight
nudge in order to seek the help that they
need,” says Callari, who has been on
staff for 13 years.
For those who do come to The Baltimore Station, there is no set time limit
for how long veterans can receive care,
whether it be a few months or two years,
and many of the staff members are veterans.
Veterans also receive life skills such as
financial literacy, how to open a checking account and apply for a credit card.
They also receive assistance in looking
for a job with the help of volunteers from
places like Johns Hopkins University.
“We have an annual Super Bowl party
where the residents do the shopping and
cooking. It’s important to show them
that they can have fun watching football
without alcohol or drugs,” Callari says.
Program Participants Receive:
Case Management Relapse Prevention
Cognitive Behavioral Groups
Grieving and Loss Counseling Psychotherapy
Peer Facilitative Groups Life Skills Sessions
Creative Therapies, Physical Activities and
Educational Experiences
Connection to Permanent Housing and Employment
We do not charge any
program fees to participants.
We will accept a veteran from anywhere
in the country who needs help.
Our innovative therapies and
programming work! Participants receive
customized treatment plans designed
to their needs.
140 W. West Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
410-752-4454
baltimorestation.org