Hope Starts Here: The Future of Diakonia

Hope Begins with You: Support Diakonia’s Expansion

For more than 50 years, Diakonia has provided shelter, food, and life-changing support to individuals, families, and Veterans facing homelessness and crisis on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore. Today, the need has outgrown our space—but our community is answering the call.

Momentum Is Building: Thanks to early leadership gifts, grants, and community support, over $799,925 has already been raised toward our goal, demonstrating strong belief in this transformational project.

Early Leadership Support Includes:

• $150k Board of Public Works Grant
  (Champion support from Senator Mary Beth Carozza and Delegate Wayne Hartman)
• $200k Pledge – Reese Cropper III
• $100k Pledge – Bank of Ocean City
• $35k Pledge – Thom, Belinda, and TJ Gulyas
• Additional early contributions from committed community partners – Over $314,925

Despite this strong start, the need remains urgent. Our emergency shelter is full nearly every night, and the shortage of affordable housing continues to keep people in crisis longer than necessary—while others wait for help.

We need more than temporary solutions. We need a permanent response. That’s why Diakonia is building a Supportive Living Campus—a place designed to restore stability, dignity, and opportunity, and to ensure help and hope are available not just today, but for generations to come.

Your support today helps turn early momentum into lasting impact.

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 supportive 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.