On October 28, 2025, Eric, a resident of Westport, decided out of frustration and desperation to reach out. He heard about Grow Home Baltimore and took a chance. He went to their website and completed an intake form because he wanted to change his life for the better.

A Knock on the Door

One of the case managers from Grow Home Baltimore’s Workforce Development team called and texted Eric. No answer. The case manager decided to knock on his door. The next day, the same case manager drove to Westport. Eric peeked through the “peep-hole” and saw a much older man with grey hair and a grey beard standing there as he “watched his six.”

Eric opened the door and let the man inside. Eric sat on the sofa and the Grow Home Baltimore Case Manager sat next to him. Eric said that he had been shot sixteen times, had steel plates, had screws in his legs and decided to stay indoors to stay away from trouble and those who cause trouble.

Eric had been incarcerated for many years and had a demeanor to prove it. There was something different about Eric. He was “sick and tired of being sick and tired” of doing what he had always been doing and expecting things to change.

A Fresh Start

Eric and the Case Manager quickly developed a trusting relationship. The Case Manager began to mentor him and, within a short period of time, invited him to interview for a position with Grow Home Baltimore’s Community Revitalization Team. Chuck, the Director of Operations for Grow Home Baltimore, agreed to hire him.

Eric was so thankful and worked very hard to prove to everyone that he was serious about changing his life for the better. The time came, after several months, that Eric was given the opportunity to interview with a major landscaping company in Baltimore. Eric was hired…full time. The smile on Eric’s face spoke volumes. He was so excited and so thankful to Grow Home Baltimore for believing in him and consistently encouraging him to learn what it takes to be successful in life.

Eric’s Milestones

A few of Eric’s successes include:

  • November 2025 – Forklift Operator Certification
  • December 2025 – Baltimore TreeKeepers Planting Certification
  • February 2026 – Baltimore TreeKeepers Pruning Certification
  • May 2026 – Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP)-Crews Stormwater Certificate

As of late Summer 2026, Eric has moved into his own apartment in Lakeland and is thriving.

Why It Matters

What if there was no Grow Home Baltimore? What if Eric had not reached the “end-of-his-rope” and decided to reach out one more time?

Eric, like many other clients of Grow Home Baltimore, has changed his life for the better because of a committed team of caring professionals who understand the “secrets” of how to become successful in life.

We believe that Eric’s future is limitless. We are so proud of Eric.