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The teenage years are an important time of development and growth. These years provide opportunities to learn about life, discover new talents, and enjoy quality time with family and friends.
All donations are tax deductible and useful to maintain, sustain and provide a better quality of life for those in need. Join us in our fight to prevent and end illiteracy, homelessness, crime, death and violence among our youth and young adult population.
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Testimonials
My name is Genethia, the sister of Dennis Conway, Jr. I’m asking every one of you who visit this site to please donate, sponsor, partner and/or volunteer with SHOR. There is such a great need for a long term residential home community like SHOR for adolescents in the state of Maryland. Once my grandfather died and I hit my teenage years, because of the lack of stability, guidance and support, I found myself making all kinds of unwise choices and decisions. My life was spiraling out of control. In 2011, at the age of 16, I found myself pregnant and alone. I knew I wasn’t ready neither was I prepared, mentally, physically, emotionally or financially to be a mother. I was afraid and didn’t know what to do. I reached out to Rev. Baublitz, whom I fondly call mommy. She counseled me and later took me into her home. I became a part of a greater community of family. I was loved and accepted by all who was connected to her. Although she did not give birth to me, she treated me like I was her own, and for the first time in my life, after the death of my grandfather, I felt loved, like I belonged, like I really had a mother. I thank God she allowed me the opportunity to come and live with her. Had it not been for her being there, I don’t know what would’ve happened. Rev. Baublitz’s main goal was to help me complete high school, further my education and/or find a job that would lead to a promising career. One year later, with a 5 month old, a lot of time, patience, unconditional love and support from Rev. Baublitz and my new community of family, I graduated from high school. Currently I’m employed at BWI Airport. It wasn’t easy, but I did it! If you’re looking for unconditional love, structure, stability and support, SHOR will be the place for you.”
— Genethia Conway
The Story of Dennis Conway, Jr.
Dennis Conway, Jr. was born December 25, 1993, addicted to drugs. After his stay in the hospital, he was released into the care and custody of his paternal grandparents, Willard and Margaret Bush. Not long after Dennis’ arrival to his grandparents’ home, he was joined by his twin sisters who are just 10 months younger than he.
On February 4, 2008, Willard died unexpectedly. His death rocked the very foundation of this family. These children’s lives changed forever. Dennis Jr., who was 14 at the time, spoke at his grandfather’s funeral, recalling words his grandfather had said and things his grandfather had done with him throughout the years. He talked about them going fishing, to amusement parks and traveling out of state. He spoke of the impact his grandfather made in his life, and all who were present at the funeral witnessed this young man’s devastation, as he said goodbye to his grandfather for the last time.
After Willard’s death, the children were from pillar to post. They went through some hard times, not knowing where they were going to lay their heads or where their next meal would come from. Dennis Jr. began staying out all night for days, missing time from school, just doing things he hadn’t done while his grandfather was alive.
Although this pattern of behavior continued, Dennis Jr. never stopped attending school altogether. He would be transferred from one high school to another with the Diploma Plus Antioch High School being his final stop. There, Dennis Jr. would work hard and try and pull himself together that he may finally complete school and receive his high school diploma. He was looking forward to graduating.
Unfortunately, Dennis Jr. would never get the chance to walk across the stage. Tragically, on July 22, 2013 around 9 o’clock in the morning, he was gunned down on the street, in east Baltimore, as he was walking to a friend’s house.
The life of Dennis Jr., and his twin sisters, serves as a model for Sarah’s House of Refuge and Noah’s Arc of Safety. Not only did Dennis Jr. and his sisters need to be helped, they wanted to be helped. Sarah’s House of Refuge and Noah’s Arc of Safety will be the safe havens for teen girls and boys who find themselves in a somewhat similar situation as Dennis Jr. and his sisters, needing and wanting the help we will provide.
It is our goal to provide the safety, stability, structure and support these young people need to help them complete high school and advance to a higher learning institution without the worries of food, shelter and clothing. It is our endeavor to provide our residents with every tool needed to reach their full potential to obtain maximum success in life. The building of this long term residential home community will afford these teens the opportunity to obtain that success.
Though Dennis’ life was brief and ended tragically, he will live on, as it is his life that will serves as our memorization, inspiration and motivation as to why we do what we do for the teen girls and boys that will come through our doors in the years to come.