History Roberta's House
A Model for Compassion
Julia Roberta March touched the lives of many bereaved families in the city of Baltimore. She was naturally gifted in her passion to help the grieving in the underserved communities of Baltimore city heal. Mrs. March was well known and respected for the many lives she changed. To this day, the impact of her compassion remains fresh in the minds of all she encountered. Along with her husband, William C. March, they ventured to establish a funeral service that put the needs of families first.
GROWTH AND A NEW GENERATION
The small mom and pop business grew remarkably to become one of the largest African American, family owned and operated funeral services in the country. Under the leadership of the second and third generation, the funeral establishments have expanded in Baltimore, Prince Georges County, Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. and operates one of the largest African American cemeteries in the country, King Memorial Park in Randallstown, Maryland.
Roberta’s House Is Established
Roberta’s House Inc., a 501(c)3, community-based nonprofit, was established from the existing bereavement program created by the March Family’s Funeral Service. Its comprehensive bereavement support program was designed to heal the “hearts and minds” of children, adults, and families by tending to their emotional, physical and spiritual needs. The program is governed by a board of directors which provides linkages to a network of health providers, businesses and volunteers. Through peer and non-clinical support, education, empowerment, and community awareness, Roberta’s House offer free programs and services to school-age children, teens, and their families. The grief service focus on 1) those who have experienced the death of a loved one or someone special; 2) those who have family or friends that are survivors of homicide; 3) those living in high crime areas, and 4) those at risk of complicated grief reactions. The counseling programs are designed to restore children and their adult family members to a place of wholeness and provide support through the grieving process.
Roberta’s House has received support from city and state grants, foundations, corporations, and community donors. This support has enabled Roberta’s House to offer free community programs that address the unresolved grief which can lead to negative behavior and or poor health later in the lives of children, teens, and adults. The programs are offered year round to all ages and all types of losses due to death.
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
The first free bereavement care program began in 1982, at March Funeral Homes. It was named “A Time of Sharing.” The program was founded when the March family recognized that bereavement care and support did not exist in Baltimore City. The adult bereavement support groups were held at various locations around the city and offered to anyone throughout the communities of Baltimore who sought help. It expanded when the March family and Annette R. March-Grier, R.N., the family’s bereavement facilitator, recognized there was a greater need for bereavement support services for children in schools and families who had no resources. As a result, Roberta’s House Inc. was created to help children, families, and adults who experienced deaths, and traumatic losses.