Van Hollen Highlights New $600,000 Direct Federal Investment in Dee’s Place for Supportive Addiction Recovery Services in East Baltimore

Tuesday, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) visited Dee’s Place – a supportive drug and alcohol recovery center operated by the Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC) – to tour the facility, greet staff and program participants, and highlight a $600,000 direct federal investment he secured for the Center through the fiscal year 2023 government funding bill. With these resources, Dee’s Place will extend its hours of operation to be open 24/7 and 365 days a year and expand its services to increase the number of people participating in meetings and group sessions, peer-to-peer meetings, referrals to treatment, and other supportive services. 

“Far too many Marylanders have felt the pain and loss that come with addiction. But we know that a strong, compassionate support system can make all the difference for people struggling with substance use disorder and give them and their loved ones hope for the future. That’s why I fought to deliver this direct federal investment for Dee’s Place – with these resources, they’ll be able to serve more Marylanders on their road to recovery,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee.

“HEBCAC was honored to host Senator Van Hollen and appreciates his support of this recovery program – especially in this time of unprecedented incidents of overdose deaths and the rise in the presence of fentanyl in Baltimore City and beyond. Substance abuse disorders touch the lives of every Marylander and Dee’s Place does remarkable work with people on their journey in recovery,” said Jenny Hope, Executive Director, HEBCAC.

Dee’s Place offers residents peer-based mentoring and referrals for medical and mental health treatment, as well as a host of other services to help create a better life in recovery. While Dee’s Place focuses on treating all forms of substance use, Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) accounts for the majority of substance use disorders residents struggle to overcome.

The Center is located in a section of East Baltimore with serious poverty, housing instability, and crime issues. It facilitates a whole-person approach to reviewing a client’s needs and building a plan of care to systematically address all of the issues substance use disorders present.

In partnership with the community, HEBCAC provides programming to improve the well-being of East Baltimore residents and Dee’s Place is a cornerstone program of the organization. Dee's Place has been a treasured safe haven for more than a million people seeking recovery since 2000. HEBCAC is the parent organization for Dee’s Place. It is a nonprofit formed in 1994 as a broad coalition of community residents, neighborhood associations, local businesses, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and other concerned organizations.

Photo Caption 1: Van Hollen speaks with Dee’s Place staff

Photo Caption 2: Van Hollen presents a symbolic check to Dee’s Place staff for its $600,000 direct federal investment