Baltimore Nonprofit Celebrates 2 Decades Of Second Chances

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A small nonprofit organization in the Sandtown-Winchester community is celebrating two decades of second chances.

The murals on nearly every wall and the mosaics above lush green spaces will no doubt catch your eye, but the most impressive transformations at Pennsylvania Avenue and Presstman Street are happening on the inside at "Intersection of Change."

"The beautification of our block has been kind of a byproduct of our first mission, which is providing programs to our neighborhood that meet poverty-related challenges that we have," said Todd Marcus, the executive director of Intersection of Change.

Marcus tells WJZ it all began with Martha's Place, which provides shelter and guidance to women overcoming homelessness and addiction. More than 400 women have lived there, and the success rate is much higher than the national average.

For graduates like Janice Spells-Bell, it puts life back on track.

"One of the sayings at Martha's place is 'don't leave before the miracle happens.' And so, the miracle happened for me," she said.

Ten years sober, she now runs the organization's new urban farming program to give ex-offenders their miracle.

"It's very hard to gravitate to what it feels like to be gainfully employed and not only to get a job, but learn how to keep a job," said Spells-Bell.

"After they saw the unrest last year or after they're just more aware of the broader poverty-related challenges that we have, we are a demonstration of what's possible," said Marcus.

Marcus says funding for the organization comes mostly from individual donations, but they also get some help from grants and contracts with the city of Baltimore.

If you're interested in volunteering or learning more about Intersection of Change, CLICK HERE.