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RIDGELY, MD – Martin's House & Barn (MHB) will lead a collaborative initiative to expand recovery support for Caroline County residents affected by substance use disorder thanks to an $88,000 grant from Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response (MOOR).
“Nationwide more than 1 in 10 adults struggle with substance use problems. In a rural community, recovery requires more than treatment alone," said Deborah Hudson Vornbrock, Executive Director of Martin's House & Barn. "People also need stable housing, reliable transportation, encouragement from someone who has walked a similar path, and a community that believes in their success. This project is built on the idea that no single organization can meet every need. By worki ng together, we can remove barriers more effectively than any of us could alone."
The new MOOR-funded Caroline Treatment & Recovery Access Network will bring together Martin's House & Barn of Ridgely, Mid Shore Restoring Hope in Women of Federalsburg and DC Center, Inc. of Denton, to address barriers that often prevent individuals from accessing and sustaining recovery.
The collaborative initiative seeks to improve access to treatment, increase housing stability, strengthen recovery outcomes, and reduce the risk of overdose by creating a more coordinated network of support for individuals and families affected by substance use disorder.
In addition, theinitiative reflects the growing spirit of collaboration across Caroline County, where nonprofits, public agencies, and community partners are increasingly working together to solve complex challenges through shared leadership and coordinated action.
"One of the strengths of this partnership is that it not only expands services for residents today but also strengthens the nonprofit organizations serving our community. By serving as the fiscal sponsor and lead agency, Martin's House & Barn can help reduce administrative barriers while supporting our partners as they continue to build organizational capacity. Investing in one another ultimately strengthens the entire network of services a vailable to Caroline County residents," Vornbrock concluded.
As the lead organization and fiscal sponsor, Martin's House & Barn will provide grant administration, financial oversight, and project coordination while supporting its partner organizations in delivering services and strengthening these partner’s long-term capacity to secure and manage future funding opportunities. Each partner brings expertise, trusted relationships, and an essential role in creating a stronger continuum of care for Caroline County residents.
Throughout the project, Mid Shore Restoring Hope in Women will supply recovery housing for women, DC Center, Inc. will furnish transportation to treatment and other essential recovery services, and Martin's House & Barn will provide a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist for support services. Together, these services will help individuals access medication-assisted treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, healthcare, employment opportunities, and other resources that are often limited or unavailable in Caroline County. The proposal was developed with grant writing technical assistance funded through the Caroline Human Services Council ENOUGH capacity- building initiative and Shore Strategies, LLC. The technical assistance enabled partner organizations to collaboratively develop a project that builds on each organization's strengths while advancing a shared vision for expanding recovery support in Caroline County.
About the Project Partners:
Martin's House & Barn provides year-round emergency shelter, housing services, a community food pantry, and a thrift store. Guided by its mission to help meet basic human needs, the organization works collaboratively with community partners to promote stability, dignity, and hope for individuals and families throughout Caroline County.
Mid Shore Restoring Hope in Women operates Caroline County's only women's recovery residence in Federalsburg, providing safe, supportive housing where women can focus on recovery, build stability, and prepare for long-term independence.
DC Center, Inc. is a Caroline County faith-based nonprofit organization that provides transportation, workforce development, financial literacy, mentoring, and other wraparound services that help individuals and families overcome barriers and achieve greater self-sufficiency. Through this initiative, DC Center will help connect participants to treatment, employment, healthcare, and other essential recovery supports throughout the region.
Supported by Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response of the
Maryland Department of Health. The views presented here
are those of the grantee organization and not necessarily those of the MDH, MOOR, its Special Secretary of Overdose
Response, or its staff.
