Giving Back: Returning to CommunicAID During a Time of Need

The COVID-19 pandemic hit low-income communities hard. Lori Richardson would not stand in silence.

BALTIMORE (Nov. 22, 2021) -- Lori Richardson shut down her monitor after a long shift. Earlier that day, she had been in a meeting in which she learned she will have to start working from home. With the sound of the news talking about “coronavirus” in the background and her mind racing with millions of thoughts, her main worry persisted: what about those who need help the most?

As soon as she got home that day, she started to plan her next move. With shaky hands, she dialed a number she knew from the heart. Afraid no one would pick up, she let out a sigh of relief as soon as she heard a familiar voice. At the other end of the line was Sherri Duncan, director of volunteering at homeless resource center CommunicAID. Within two minutes, Richardson knew what to do: return to the place that changed her life to do the same for others.

Filled with uncertainty of the unknown but with a strong desire to help, Richardson woke up the next morning and drove to a place she never thought she would have to visit again: CommunicAID’s homeless shelter located on Ridgewood Road.

Founded in 2010, the Ridgewood Road shelter houses 50-100 people on any given day

After graduating with a major in social work, Richardson always knew her mission was to help other young teenagers. Knowing the challenges and needs the community faced, she could not stay still once she heard the COVID-19 pandemic was about to make a big change, impacting those with a lack of resources the most.

“Seeing the news and hearing people in my community were losing their jobs and possibly their homes absolutely scared me,” Richardson said. “I didn't even know what was going to happen in my own life, but I had already gone through the worst. I knew I had to do something to help.”

Walking through the doors of the shelter was an emotional experience, but Richardson felt relieved to be wearing the word “Volunteer” on her back.

“I talk to a lot of people every day, but I immediately recognized Lori’s voice when she called me,” said Duncan. “That day, we had been in long meetings trying to decide how CommunicAID should act with these new, scary changes. One of our concerns was not having enough volunteers, but Lori’s call that day gave me hope.”

A Fresh Place to Start

Seven years ago, Richardson had called this shelter her home. Born in the heart of Baltimore City, she was under the care of her grandmother until she graduated high school. With a life filled with financial difficulties, Richardson set aside her dream of going to college to start working - but everything changed when her grandmother passed and her income was not enough to pay rent, leaving her without a home and an uncertain future.

After months of living in unstable housing and even the streets, Richardson turned to CommunicAID for help. She arrived at the shelter on Ridgewood Road with nothing but a bag on her shoulder. There, she was able to have a warm place to sleep in after working all day, and she enrolled in the reintegration program with the hopes of one day having a place of her own — still hoping to attend college one day.

“I was so scared the first day I arrived at the shelter,” Richardson said. “But I knew it’s what I had to do so I wouldn’t die on the streets. All I wanted was a warm meal and a clean bed.”

The journey to finishing the program was not easy, but Richardson had a well-paying job lined up and a permanent place to live in after 10 long months. With a renewed sense of confidence and a refreshed outlook on life, Richardson also decided to begin her long-awaited college career — becoming a part-time student at Baltimore City Community College at the age of 21.

Lending a Helping Hand

After graduating with a major in social work, Richardson always knew her mission was to help other young teenagers. Knowing the challenges and needs the community faced, she could not stay still once she heard the COVID-19 pandemic was about to make a big change, impacting those with a lack of resources the most.

“Seeing the news and hearing people in my community were losing their jobs and possibly their homes absolutely scared me,” Richardson said. “I didn't even know what was going to happen in my own life, but I had already gone through the worst. I knew I had to do something to help.”

Walking through the doors of the shelter was an emotional experience, but Richardson felt relieved to be wearing the word “Volunteer” on her back.

“I talk to a lot of people every day, but I immediately recognized Lori’s voice when she called me,” said Duncan. “That day, we had been in long meetings trying to decide how CommunicAID should act with these new, scary changes. One of our concerns was not having enough volunteers, but Lori’s call that day gave me hope.”

CommunicAID volunteers receive one-day training sessions, free meals, and schedule flexibility - building a large team across many shelters, food pantries and career centers

A “New” Normal

Richardson continued her volunteer efforts during the toughest times of the pandemic while also maintaining her career in social work. Even if it meant getting home at midnight after a long night of helping a single mother get some food, or giving a warm bed to a homeless teenager, she showed up to help. And she brought along an army of other volunteers, too.

“I knew I couldn’t make an impact just by myself,” Richardson explained. “So I called everyone I knew. My old coworkers, people I met at church, my distant cousins, I even put flyers up in the street!”

With her help and increased efforts by others, CommunicAID shelters, food pantries and career centers started to see an influx of volunteers, just as many new people were knocking on their doors seeking help.

“I was so happy to see so many volunteer applications coming in, even if everything we were hearing in the news was terrifying,” said Duncan. “I could feel the heart of the community beating right here.”

After the first year, Richardson had clocked 1000 hours of volunteer work. Despite the challenges, she has felt right at home at CommunicAID, knowing that there is an entire community and support system willing to help even in the most difficult times.

“Here at CommunicAID, we value the efforts of Lori and all the other volunteers who came to give back when we needed it the most,” said Suzzanne McGrath, president of CommunicAID. “We always want to make sure that our volunteers have the best experience possible, so we have adjusted our program over the years to fit everyone’s needs.”

Looking Ahead

Things have changed a lot since Richardson decided to dial CommunicAID’s number that day, but her mission has remained the same. After volunteering for a year, a new position opened up for her: becoming the head case manager for CommunicAID.

“When I was a young homeless girl, I never thought I would one day be working in the same place I had to turn to for help,” Richardson said. “I still like to put in some volunteer hours here and there, but I am happy knowing I inspired many others to do the same.”

As the head case manager, Richardson is able to combine her passion for social work, volunteering and helping her community. The pandemic, high unemployment rates and increased need for social services created an exacerbated need for people like her to help, and her efforts and those of many have paid off.

“There are still many challenges ahead, and CommunicAID needs volunteers now more than ever, especially with our plans to expand into other areas,” she explained. “The Baltimore community is vibrant, kind and resilient, but I have learned that a helping hand can go a long way - and we need more people to help pass it along.”

Lori Richardson now manages a team of 10 at CommunicAID’s corporate headquarters located in Baltimore City - always willing to help her community in times of need

About CommunicAID:

CommunicAID is a Baltimore-based homeless resource center that has changed more than 30,000 lives since 1994, counting with a variety of local partnerships, more than 1,000 volunteers, and a dedicated sense of community. CommunicAID focuses on prioritizing housing and job training for individuals experiencing homelessness to succeed beyond temporary solutions, and aims at solving the cycle of poverty and homelessness. For more information, please visit us online at https://communicaid.weebly.com

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For More Information:

Regan Kerr, Paola Collazo, Victoria Yuan

PR Spokeperson

CommunicAID

mediaoutreach@communicaid.org