Hope Starts Here: The Future of Diakonia
A Capital Campaign to Expand Housing, Healing, and Stability on Maryland’s Lower Shore.
Hope Begins with You: Support Diakonia’s Expansion
For over 50 years, Diakonia has provided shelter, food, and support for individuals and families facing homelessness and crisis on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore. But today, the need has outgrown our space.
Our emergency shelter is full almost every night. The shortage of affordable housing and high rent costs has created a bottleneck, keeping people in emergency beds longer than necessary—and keeping others waiting.
We need more than temporary solutions. We need a permanent response. That’s why Diakonia is building something bigger: a supportive living community designed to restore hope, stability, and opportunity.
A New Campus. A Stronger Future.
Located on 4.4 acres along Route 611 in West Ocean City, our new campus will allow us to expand services, reduce costs, and increase impact across Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset Counties.
The new development will include:
- 42 transitional housing units
- On-site food, shopping, and employment opportunities
- A Veterans Resource Center
- Retail, office, storage, and conference space
- A multipurpose community room
- Consolidated administrative offices and case management
- A larger Diakonia Thrift Store and Donation Center
- Increased capacity to accept and distribute Food Pantry donations
This expansion will not replace our current shelter—it will complement it. By relieving pressure on our emergency beds, we can help more people move into stable housing, faster.
Why It Matters
Currently, Diakonia rents multiple spaces for our offices and thrift store—an unsustainable cost that limits our flexibility and growth. The new campus allows us to bring all services under one roof, eliminate rental expenses, and redirect those funds into programs that directly serve our community.
In 2022, Blue Water Development Corporation generously donated $150,000 to help Diakonia pay off the mortgage on the Route 611 property. That contribution brought us one major step closer to this vision. Now, we need your help to bring it to life.
The Thrift Store: Fueling Long-Term Sustainability
The Diakonia Thrift Store is not only a resource for clients rebuilding their lives—it’s a key part of our financial sustainability. Currently, it generates 10% of our income. With more space, visibility, and capacity in the new location, we aim to grow that to 25%.
More income from the thrift store means less dependence on emergency fundraising—and more consistent support for the programs that matter most.
Be Part of the Vision
We’re raising $12 million to make this vision a reality.
Every gift moves us closer to a future where no one is left without shelter, stability, or support. Your contribution will help us build a stronger, more sustainable Diakonia—one that continues to provide Help for Today and Hope for Tomorrow.
Make your gift today. Together, we can build a future of hope.