The official Dancing Deer Baking Company Blog

Trish reviews the tatters of the day, flag still flying, spirits high.

According To The 2007 Baltimore Homeless Census:

An estimated 3,002 individuals were homeless on January 26. Because data source does not include all who are homeless, this figure is considered a minimum estimate.


At least 331 of the 3,002 homeless (11%) were younger than 18 years of age. At least 156 (5%) were under 5 years of age. A parallel count by the Baltimore Homeless Youth Initiative found 272 youth (aged 8 to 25) to be unstably housed on January 26.


Health and housing concerns are the primary reasons for homelessness. Health-related issues, cited by 147 of 419 respondents (35%), included substance/alcohol abuse, mental illness, disability and medical problems. 135 individuals (32%) cited lack of housing as the primary reason for homelessness.


Our hosts in Baltimore, Night of Peace Family Shelter, provided us with these statistics about homelessness in greater Baltimore County:


Of the 6,303 homeless people in Baltimore County, Maryland, 70% are women and children.


In most areas, including Baltimore County, there are more people in need of shelter than available beds. In FY08 8,728 people were turned away from shelters.


It costs approximately $37,200 to shelter a family of 4 for one year. In comparison, to rent a 2 bedroom apartment costs approximately $13,000 per year. (The costs of supporting a family of four for one year at the Night of Peace Family Shelter is approximately $29,200, lower than the average)


A minimum wage worker earning $6.55/hour in Maryland would need to work 155 hours per week in order to afford a 2 bedroom unit.



These statistics may seems staggering but there is something we all can do as indivduals. As John F. Kennedy once said: “One person can make a difference and every person should try.”

Thanks to Louise for the quote. It really deserves repeating.

Make a difference here.

Submitted to us by Louise Place, Trish's goddaughter who joined her at the Naylor Road Family Shelter:

The small room was peppered with tubes of white icing, green gum drops, white and red-striped mints, raisins, and snow-capped chocolates. Debating the intricacies of architecture and decoration, children congregated around the gingerbread houses. Lights were low, but spirit and sugar content were high.

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I was able to pass by Senator Kerry’s office on my way to the Naylor Road Family Shelter. The Senator couldn’t have been more gracious and delighted to welcome me, a soaking wet water rat in from a 120 mile ride from Richmond. We talked about homelessness and cycling. He was curious to hear what we learned about the available services to homeless families, and/or lack thereof.

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Trish wrestles with a flat tire in the rain.

I checked in on the far corner of the room and a little girl turned around to show me her newly decorated face.  I can’t remember her name at the moment, or the name of the young artist but it will come back to me.  I was offered the opportunity to have the same treatment and I sat right down.  In all my years of doing this no-one has ever taken the decorating right to my nose.  I loved it and recommend it to anyone who has had a particularly long day.