Westminster, MD, Thursday, March 19, 2026 – On Tuesday, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners joined the Department of Citizen Services and Human Services Programs of Carroll County (HSP) to commemorate the new location of the county’s family shelter. Located at the Center for Opportunity, Value and Empowerment (COVE), 115 Stoner Ave., Westminster, the shelter has a new space that is accessible and family friendly; A much-needed upgrade including an outside playground.  A project in the works for over a decade came to fruition with a strong collaboration between local, state and federal private and public partners. Carroll County’s Department of Public Works was recognized for their role in renovating the building as well as the county grants department for applying for the federal and state grants that made the project possible.

Celene Steckel, Director of the Department of Citizen Services, opened the ribbon cutting ceremony stating, “the shelter is ensuring that every child and family in our county has a safe place to stay and a path toward stable housing.” She continued, “in Carroll County, one in five people experiencing homelessness are children under the age of 18. We know the trauma of eviction and homelessness can affect a child’s entire future. Today, we take an important step toward breaking that cycle, providing a shelter designed not only for safety, but for healing, dignity, and hope.”

Secretary Jacob Day from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development was among the speakers along with Commissioner Tom Gordon.  Commissioner Gordon shared, “this facility was made possible through strong collaboration between local, state, and federal partners. The county has invested $2 million in local funds to purchase and improve this building, and we are deeply grateful for the additional support through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) and DHCD’s Community Development Block Grant. Together, these investments have transformed this space into what we see today, a place where families can rebuild.”

The county was honored to have representatives from Senators’ Van Hollen and Alsobrooks offices as well as from Congressman Olszewski and Congresswoman Elfreth’s office. Citations were given to the county and HSP from Congresswoman Elfreth’s and Olszewwski’s staff. 

“The newly renovated Carroll County family shelter will help give a lifeline to families struggling to break out of the cycle of poverty or homelessness. We worked to pass the American Rescue Plan to support our communities’ most vital needs, and this project shows the important ways those funds are getting put to use. This space will put a roof over Marylanders’ heads and help families get back on their feet,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen.

Senator Alsobrook shared, “throughout my first year in the Senate, I have worked on the issue of homelessness, especially for children and youth, because I believe a society is judged by how it treats its children. And no child – under any circumstance – deserves to be without a roof over their head every night. The new Carroll County family shelter will give families in need a safe place to lay their heads at night, while creating a beautiful community for children to play, grow, and lead. Together, we will work to end homelessness in Maryland and across the nation once and for all.”

The ceremony also included remarks from Jennifer Graybill, Executive Director of Human Services Programs of Carroll County, followed by the ceremonial ribbon cutting and self-guided tours.

The ribbon cutting was dedicated to all families and individuals who have experienced homelessness, because everyone deserves safe refuge.