Diakonia celebrates 50th anniversary, hopes to expand soon into affordable housing units in Ocean City
OCEAN CITY, Md- Diakonia is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week of helping the homeless in Ocean City.
The organization has been providing those in need with food, shelter, and transport to services as well as helping people get back into homes since 1972. Director Ken Argot tells 47ABC that when the program first started it was just about helping homeless youth on the boardwalk- and has grown in response to the need, and to help as many people as possible.
“The difference is the staff, our commitment to veterans and helping them off the street, just this week we were able to find housing for 3 families and that work is the most rewarding,” he said.
Argot tells us while they are proud of helping the homeless for 50 years, but Argot the next 50 will see the shelter stepping up to a whole new responsibility; building housing.
Argot tells 47ABC that as part of an affordable housing effort, the shelter is expanding in the next few years to a Stephen Decatur Highway location, meant to be the new office, as well as an affordable housing unit and pantry.
“We intend to build 42 affordable housing units on that site and have our administrative offices, thrift store, and food pantry, the current emergency shelter will stay where it is but the new services will be on the new campus,” he said.
Those looking to celebrate the shelter’s bicentennial can register online before 12 am on November 2nd to reserve tickets for a charity 70s throwback at Seacrets starting at 5:30 on Friday the 4th. The fundraiser will help to fund food, shelter, and administrative services for the center.
