Local nonprofit supports homeless population, looks to expand operations
CAMBRIDGE, Md.- “I was told I had 30 days to leave the home that we’d known for almost five years. I was devastated,” Barger-Turner said.
That was back in March of 2020, when Sabrina Barger-Turner would become homeless. “I was on my own. I was between friend’s couches, hotels, and at points my car,” she said.
She told 47ABC that living in those conditions showed her people at risk of or currently facing homeless are pretty much helpless. Now off the streets, she felt inclined to give hope to those in a similar situation. “I felt a calling to help show that everyone is human and that we all deserve compassion,” Barger-Turner said.
She started her own nonprofit, Homeless & Human. The three-part mission is to provide advocacy, education, and service delivery. Homeless & Human is a registered 501 c3 in Caroline County, with DoCo Axe in Cambridge as a hub. The nonprofit provides service delivery beyond Caroline and Dorchester counties, including other parts of Maryland and Delaware. We’re told there is no end to how far they’d go to reach those in need.
Sabrina isn’t doing it alone, as she’s armed with a team of devoted volunteers and board members. “Most of the time you can see it in their eyes. As soon as they know you’re willing to help and you’re not going to throw that stigma or a label on them because of where they are in their lives,” Board Member Carmen Franciotti said.
The nonprofit attributes the slim pickings of local resources to many factors such as the overwhelming need, the lack of understanding surrounding homelessness, false and harmful stigmas, and a variety of barriers to housing. Barger-Turner told us those barriers to accessing housing include affordability, availability, and more. “There is affordable housing that does exist but there’s waitlists. Some waitlists are closed, and others are years long,” Barger-Turner said.
Despite that, they’re hoping their work can fill some of the gaps. “I think those connections are what’s going to drive us to succeed. My end goal, even though it’s not in our mission, is to end homelessness,” Barger-Turner said.
The nonprofit currently doesn’t have a permanent home and hoping to secure that soon to expand their level of operations.
The nonprofit has also been able to make connections with local schools, community organizations, and businesses including The Ugly Pie here in Salisbury. The nonprofit currently partners with The Ugly Pie for their box donation drives and their “Orange-You-Glad’ campaign. If you buy an orange scone from TUP, they’ll donate a portion of sales back to the nonprofit.
