(BALTIMORE – October 23, 2023) – The Sandtown-Winchester Community is a lovely swath of 72 square blocks in Historic West Baltimore. From North and Monroe to North and Carey south to Lafayette Avenue – with a couple of tweaks. It is nestled between Matthew Henson Community to the west, Penn-North at the top, Druid Heights and Upton to the east, and Harlem Park to the south.
It is the Home of the Freeloaders Social Club, the Historic Sharon Baptist Church, Simmons Memorial Baptist, New Song Learning Center, Gilmor Homes, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Peter Claver Catholic Church. We are also home to Santa Maria’s Eatery and the Odyssey Lounge.
The last development occurred some 20+ years ago during the Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke administration. That was the last time we saw any movement.
When Freddie Gray unfolded here, we saw major entities collecting millions on our behalf, but we saw nothing.
I have been told that there are some 90 organizations that claim Sandtown as home and who say that they represent the people here. Even more, many of these entities get checks for their so-called work.
We do not have a recreation center, due to no fault of our own.
Time after time, we have seen our community pimped, isolated, castigated, disconnected, discombobulated, neglected, and prostituted for the sake of groups who could care less about the people.
However, there are always a few soldiers who are willing to do the work. And, despite the obstacles, these gladiators fight for Sandtown every day of their lives … like it’s nobody’s business.
Come out tonight and be a part of the community meeting at 6 p.m. at New Song Learning Center. Be a part of the solution!