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Last updated on July 17, 2008

Our approach to serving the elderly poor is to provide an environment where they can enjoy life to the fullest, and finally to accompany them lovingly and gently as they end their earthly journey

Description:
We provide loving, individualized care in a community setting for 80 low-income elderly people ages 67 to 98 from throughout Baltimore County. This is a unique environment where our Residents receive compassion and love in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. Our goal is to meet our Residents' physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs during their final years. Due to the excellent treatment that they receive, their average age is 89. When someone reaches the end of their life, the Sisters take turns singing and praying with that Resident throughout the day or night to support a peaceful passing.

History:
The Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor was founded in Brittany, France in 1839, when Blessed Jeanne Jugan picked up a poor, blind, lame elderly woman she found living on the streets of her town, carried her to her own home and began caring for her. More elderly poor followed, and soon other women came to help Jeanne care for them.

The Little Sisters arrived in America in 1868, and in 1869 a group of five Little Sisters moved to a house on Calvert Street in Baltimore and began caring for needy elderly widows. The number of elderly grew steadily, and within a year the Little Sisters moved to a larger home on Valley Street near Johns Hopkins Hospital. Incorporated in Baltimore in 1875, the Little Sisters of the Poor remained at Valley Street for almost 100 years, caring for the elderly poor.

With the help of Baltimore’s Cardinal Shehan, the Little Sisters constructed a new home in Catonsville on the land adjacent to St. Charles Seminary. They moved to the present St. Martin’s Home in May, 1969.

In the spirit of humble service that Jeanne Jugan initiated, the Little Sisters still rely on the larger community for volunteers, food, money and other supplies needed for the care of the low-income elderly. Our mission is to welcome the aged as we would Jesus Christ Himself, and serve them with love and respect until death.

An estimated 15,000 of our elderly brothers and sisters of all faiths and nationalities have spent their final years in our Home, in a family-like atmosphere where they are valued, respected and engaged in purposeful activity.

Contact person: Susan Smith, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (410) 744-6380

Address:

601 Maiden Choice Lane Baltimore, MD 21228 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=23

Directions:

We are located just east of I-695. From the Wilkens Ave. East exit, head north (left) on Maiden Choice Lane for one-half mile. Just after Charlestown, enter the drive that says "St. Martin's Home" on the right. Park in the area in front of the building and ring the bell to the right of the front door.   Nearest Bus Stop: Wilkins Ave. and Maiden Choice Lane, .5 miles minute walk

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