The year was 1885…Grover Cleveland was inaugurated the twenty-second President of the United States, the Washington Monument was dedicated, America's 1st electric streetcar began running … and the inaugural meeting of Helping Up Mission was held in a little alley in Baltimore.

Amidst the backdrop of these major historical events, the Lord gave a vision to Pastor Abraham Ezra Bradenbaugh to reach the homeless people of Baltimore. Along with bringing a Christ-centered message of hope, Pastor Bradenbaugh was committed to meeting their practical needs for food, clothing and shelter. Helping Up Mission found its first home in 1895, at 634 West Baltimore Street. Since then, the Mission has changed locations several times, before finally settling at its current location (1029 E. Baltimore St) in 1955. Over the past 120 years, a variety of new programs were developed to address the needs of Baltimore’s poor and homeless population.

In 1948, Helping Up Mission started a Summer Camp for children. Through the support of donors, the Mission is able to provide 70-80 inner city children the opportunity to experience a one-week Christian camp, at no cost to their families. Campers play games, sing songs, spend time outdoors, do arts and crafts and learn about God.

Year after year, we have the privilege of helping many young campers to become followers of Jesus Christ. The Mission currently partners with Camp Wabanna… based out of Annapolis, Maryland.

In 1990, the first steps were taken to form what is known today as the “Spiritual Recovery Program.” The leadership of Helping Up Mission felt that God was calling them to provide services that would help break the cycle of addiction and poverty. A residential program was created that addresses the whole person (physical, psychological, social and spiritual). The program provides men with the tools and time necessary to achieve a full and lasting recovery… and become productive members of society.

Since 1995, the Mission has seen unprecedented growth in the number of people served, the quantity and quality of services offered, and the level of community support and involvement. The Spiritual Recovery Program has gone from serving approximately 30 men in a 6-month residential capacity, to serving over 210 men in a 1-year residential program.

In September of 2005, the Mission opened a 50-bed transitional housing facility, called “House of Freedom.” This facility provides graduates of the one-year recovery program an additional 24 months in a supportive therapeutic community while they make the transition to independent living. At the same time, the Mission continues to offer Emergency Overnight Services to approximately 50 men per night. In late 2005, the Mission acquired 1023 East Baltimore Street, giving HUM ownership of the entire 1000 block of East Baltimore Street. Around the same time, a 14-million dollar capital campaign was launched to provide for the renovation of the newly acquired building and all existing facilities. To learn more about renovation plans, visit future plans. 120 years after Pastor Bradenbaugh held the initial meeting of Helping Up Mission, an untold number of lives have been transformed… addictions have been broken, marriages have been saved, and families have been restored. This year, Helping Up Mission will provide over... 220,000 meals 100,000 nights of shelter 26,000 pieces of clothing 900 spiritual recovery classes 500 adult education classes 350 life preparation classes 900 relapse prevention and chemical dependancy classes 400+ chapel services Without the sacrificial giving of thousands of modern-day Good Samaritans, the vital work of Helping Up Mission would not be possible.