Catholic Charities Names $32 Million Intergenerational Center in Honor of West Baltimore Activist, Carolyn E.Fugett

September 11, 2025 — Baltimore, MD — Catholic Charities of Baltimore announced the official name of its new $32 million community center: the Carolyn E. Fugett Intergenerational Center, honoring the beloved community leader whose faith and commitment to West Baltimore shaped generations.

“Carolyn Fugett believed that one person could make a difference in countless lives, and she proved it every day in her steadfast commitment to those in need,” said Dave Kinkopf, Executive Director. “By naming this center in her honor, Catholic Charities ensures her legacy of faith, service, and hope will live on right here in our community.”

A lifelong devout Catholic and mother of six, Fugett spent nearly a century lifting up her neighbors—whether serving food in a parish pantry, mentoring families, or counseling church leaders at the highest level. Though she left school at a young age to support her family, she became a fierce advocate for education, championing Head Start and neighborhood schools, ensuring her own children and many others had the necessary tools to succeed.

Her son, Jean Fugett, reflected: “My mom believed education and opportunity could change lives. She tirelessly dedicated herself to strengthening families and the West Baltimore community, and our family is deeply honored that Catholic Charities will carry forward her vision through this new space for community members of all ages.”

The Fugett Center, located at the former Alexander Hamilton Elementary School at 800 Poplar Grove Street, was designed as a hub serving children, parents, and older adults.  The center will provide early childhood education, youth development, workforce training, and behavioral health services.

Key features include:

• Nine Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms serving more than 100 children ages 0–4 and their families.
• Catholic Charities Success Academies, offering case management, behavioral health support, career pathways, and barrier-remediation services.
• A new workforce development partnership will provide training in construction, culinary arts, digital media, and screen printing.
• Relocation of the Edward’s Food Pantry, which served nearly 8,000 households last year.
• A new home for the Fallstaff Villa Maria Behavioral Health Clinic and expanded services for families and older adults.
• Youth leadership and recreation initiatives in partnership with Baltimore City’s Safe Streets and youth sports programs.

Fugett was a political force – whether joining longtime City Councilwoman Agnes Welch to advance community interests or forging partnerships with leaders like former Governor William Donald Shaefer and former Mayor Clarence “Du” Burns. Her focus was always clear: to nourish and empower her beloved community rich in promise and multi-dimensional generational needs.

“The Fugett Center represents a bold step forward in our mission to transform lives through education and holistic family support,” said Kevin Creamer, Program Director of Intergenerational Center at Catholic Charities. “We wanted to honor the very values that guided her remarkable life, and the center will be a beacon of opportunity for West Baltimore families for decades to come.”

Fugett, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 97, leaves behind a powerful legacy of faith and service that continues to inspire Baltimore. Her son, Reginald F. Lewis—a philanthropist, lawyer, and groundbreaking businessman—is also remembered through the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture located in Baltimore City, which bears his name.

About Catholic Charities of Baltimore

Catholic Charities of Baltimore is Maryland’s largest private provider of human services, with more than 80 programs in 200 locations. Inspired by the gospel mandates to love, serve, and teach, Catholic Charities is committed to a Maryland where each person has the opportunity to reach his or her God-given potential. Today, Catholic Charities is a family of more than 2,000 talented and dedicated colleagues, supported by nearly 4,000 selfless volunteers, and more than 10,000 generous donors. This Catholic Charities community includes people of all faiths, ages, and ethnicities, and together, they touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals and families each year. www.cc-md.org