This Mother's Day, a child finds family and hope in the city’s poorest zip code
Baltimore, MD — A powerful story of resilience and hope is unfolding at The Food Project, a nonprofit community hub located in Baltimore’s 21223 zip code—Maryland’s poorest and one of its most underserved. A 12-year-old boy, found living alone in a drug house, has now found family and stability, thanks to the unwavering commitment of community members and the support system built by The Food Project.
The child, whose father is incarcerated and whose mother and stepmother both died due to addiction, first came to The Food Project seeking food. “Each day he came back, we learned more of his heartbreaking story,” said Michelle Suazo, Executive Director of U Empower of Maryland and co-founder of The Food Project. “He had been surviving completely on his own.”
As the boy continued to show up for meals, a deeper need emerged—one that transcended hunger. He began staying with Christina, a woman who was once homeless herself and is now thriving thanks to support from The Food Project and its donors. Christina, who lost her own mother to addiction at the same age, has taken the boy in and is now working toward legal guardianship with the help of Markus Trent, founder of Fathers Fighting for Fathers.
“This is a full-circle moment,” Suazo shared. “Two years ago, UEmpower of MD helped us secure a security deposit so Christina could get housing. Last year, our supporters helped us provide her with a stove. Today, because she has a stable home, she’s opening her door—and her heart—to a boy who desperately needed both.”
The story highlights the critical role The Food Project plays as an essential safety net in Southwest Baltimore. Often labeled a "containment zone," 21223 is at the epicenter of the opioid epidemic's long-term effects. Children like this young boy are often its forgotten casualties—until someone intervenes.
“This is what The Food Project does,” said Suazo. “We meet urgent needs, but we also build bridges—to food, to safety, and to a future. This Mother’s Day, that future includes a new home, four sisters, and the chance to be a kid again.”
About The Food Project
The Food Project, an initiative of U Empower of Maryland, operates as a community-based education and emergency resource hub in Southwest Baltimore. Through meals, mentorship, job training, and wraparound services, The Food Project uplifts youth and families impacted by poverty, food insecurity, and systemic neglect.
To support this work or learn more, visit: www.uempowerofmd.org
