Baltimore Community Fellowships
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Photo: Bruce Weller for the Open Society Foundations
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Baltimore, Maryland
2009
The bleak corner of South Mount and West Pratt streets is a long way from the bucolic Mennonite dairy farm where Dwayne Hess grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. But that Southwest Baltimore corner is where the 40-year-old teacher and others involved in an ecumenical nonprofit organization called A New Faith Community converted a boarded-up building into a safe space. Here neighbors come to find spiritual nourishment over a cup of coffee in a neighborhood where it's common to see people stumble down the street because they are high on drugs.
Currently, the three-story brick building is open only a few hours a week for a few classes, free coffeehouses and an occasional dance lesson. In the past, the center has hosted book studies or arts and music events. But now, through his fellowship, Hess hopes to expand the Neighborhood Spiritual Center's programming to offer adult literacy classes, holistic health and wellness services, and meditative/spiritual programs that promote individual and neighborhood healing.
A teacher in Baltimore for 16 years, Hess believes people's spiritual needs should be addressed holistically in a community. Churches address spiritual needs but not education or holistic health, while community centers or educational programs don't deal with individuals' spiritual or emotional needs. The Neighborhood Spiritual Center will be a place where everyone could come together to connect, learn from each other and encourage one another.
Hess, who currently teaches teenage boys on probation at the Living Classrooms Foundation, envisions a Center that will offer GED and English as a Second Language classes as well as adult education. Eventually he hopes there will be tutoring and workshops on nutrition, health, massage and acupuncture. There would be open-mic nights and live music performances. Hess and others at A New Faith Community also dream of transforming the vacant lot across the street into a healing organic garden.
Growing up on a farm, Hess learned the value of hard work. His Mennonite upbringing also taught him the value of peace, justice and spirituality. As a teacher, he has worked with people who have trouble reading and writing and who struggle with self-confidence due to a lack of education. "The opportunities were more evident for people growing up in my rural community," said Hess. "Living in Baltimore has made me realize that a different kind of playing field exists for others. A passion has grown inside of me to walk alongside people who desire to make a change in their lives, especially in the area of education."
