Project PLASE

Project PLASE, Inc. addresses homelessness by providing transitional housing, permanent housing and supportive services to homeless adults. We serve the most vulnerable and underserved, including persons with mental illness, HIV/AIDS, addiction, developmental disabilities, and ex-offenders, etc. We treat, restore and rehabilitate the whole person. We empower each individual to function at the highest level possible.

Description:
Our staff members work with clients in both transitional and permanent housing to stabilize their lives, connect to other services and providers, reconnect with family, enrich the daily lives of our clients, educate our clients on issues that impact their lives, and educate clients on the impact of their behavior on themselves and others. We do this and more to live up to our mission, and hopefully one day to fulfill our vision.

Transitional housing
We operate four transitional housing facilities and one emergency housing facility which operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Permanent housing
We manage 103 subsidized individuals in permanent housing situations in our Shelter Plus Care Program. We also own, operate and/or manage permanent Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing units around the city.

History:
In 1973 a group of concerned students formed Project PLASE, Inc. to address and remedy the absence of services and resources available to Baltimore's most needy citizens - the homeless and the poor. At that time, little was known, discussed or being done for homeless citizens.

PLASE began serving homeless people in a direct and concrete way in 1974 with the opening of its Walk-In Center. In 1976, through the Campaign of Human Development, PLASE received its first funding and the Director and Associate Director were hired. In 1978 the Transitional Housing Facility ­ the first residential piece of the program ­ was added along with the Employment Training component.

PLASE now serves approximately 350 homeless persons per year through its three transitional housing facilities and its four permanent housing units. Additionally, PLASE's Outreach Counselors work with approximately 175 people each year after they leave PLASE's shelters, to ensure clients' success. PLASE opened a new transitional and permanent housing facility in September 2001. This facility provides care for medically fragile homeless persons with HIV/AIDS. PLASE is now be able to serve 85 additional people annually.

In addition to these direct services, we include important advocacy systems in our work to address homelessness and poverty in the greater community, influence public policy, educate the public, etc. The focus of our advocacy and the development of our resources are determined by the needs of the population which, unfortunately, continues to grow and, consequently, to change.

Mary C. Slicher, PLASE's Executive Director, is one of the original founders

Contact people:

Mary Slicher, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Tobi Morris, Development Director, (phone)

Address:

1814 Maryland Avenue Baltimore, MD 21201 (See a map)

Directions:

Take 83. South to North Avenue. Make a left onto North Avenue. Make a right onto Maryland. Address is 1814 Maryland Avenue.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: North Avenue,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5 blocks   Nearest Bus Stop: 3,11, 4, .5 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Governmental Agency?
	No