Roberta's House Grief Support Center A Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building
Roberta’s House the Next Chapter
Once upon a Time
In 1982, under the leadership of Annette March-Grier, RN., and March Funeral Homes A Time of Sharing, an adult bereavement support group, became one of the first community-based bereavement support programs.
The program grew significantly over time and for more than 30 years, A Time of Sharing was hosted in area churches, schools and community centers. In 2007, Roberta’s House was established as an independent non-profit. In 2010, Roberta’s House moved into its first professional office at 1900 N. Broadway with the support of an earmark from U.S Senator Barbara Mikulski.
Spreading Our Wings
By, 2014 Roberta’s House had grown to include 7 of programs and had 12 staff. The programs grew significantly over time serving children, adults and families. Camp Erin® Baltimore was created in partnership with The Moyer Foundation to provide a free camp for 50 or more youth every year. Homicide Survivors Programs, a teen program and support groups for mothers who had experienced a fetal or infant death was formed. Bereavement Support was sought after by many.
In 2016, Roberta’s House moves to St. Paul where we would grow to a staff of 21 with over 700 volunteers.
Realizing a need for our services and an opportunity for financial support Roberta’s House opens an office is Prince George’s County to serve another population similar to Baltimore with underserved bereaved children and families living in urban communities.
Breaking New Ground
Upon the death of the March Family matriarch, Julia Roberta March, Annette and her three siblings Cynthia, Erich, and Victor felt it befitting to establish a full service bereavement center at the landmark of where the first funeral home was established by their parents, William and Roberta at 928 E. North Avenue in 1957.
This site is where thousands of families had been served and comforted by the late Julia Roberta March with her gift of compassion and empathy. The community funeral home was a place that Baltimore served many families. Annette and her siblings dream was to fulfill an unmet need and provide a resource to help children and adults heal after the death of a loved one.
In 2016, Roberta’s House launched a campaign to raise $16 million to build a new center that will serve as a safe space for those in need of healing. With generous gift from visionaries we have raised over $15 million to build a state-of-the art resource center which will be the first newly constructed bereavement center providing mental health services in an urban community by an African American Non-profit organization.
In October 2018, we broke ground on our new Center.
In July 2019 we closed on the final property, construction began in August 2019.
What the Future Holds
The new Roberta’s House Grief Support Center a Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building is scheduled to open in the spring of 2021. The center will offer bereavement support groups as well as clinical specialized mental health services. Penza Bailey Architects designed the 20,000 SF facility as a fully accessible, safe place and resource center that promotes recovery and healing from loss and grief. The center’s construction project has been manage by Episcopal Housing Corporation undertaken and the Whiting-Turner Construction Company.
Renderings by Penza Bailey
Roberta's House Grief Support Center
Reception
Waiting Area
Theater
Children's Activity Area
Family Counseling Room
Homestretch: Realizing the Dream
The new Roberta’s House will be a beacon on light overlooking our city. In a historic first, with your help, Roberta’s House will open debt-free. In order to complete our capital campaign, we need your help. The final feature is our rooftop garden, mediation room and labyrinth. There is no open green space around the new Center. We must raise an additional $500,000 to complete the rooftop which will be used for programming and special events. Our families will be able to safely enjoy the outdoors high above North Avenue.
Thank You
To everyone who has made this new center possible.
A special thank you to our major funders:
Abell Foundation
Adams Foundation
France-Merrick Foundation
Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation
Maryland DHCD Project CORE