Open Gates, Inc. Donates $2.85 Million to Paul's Place, Inc. in Form of Building and Cash Grant

BALTIMORE, June 24, 2009 — Today, the Board of Directors of Paul's Place, Inc., a community services center serving the 6,000 impoverished residents of Washington Village/Pigtown, announced the acceptance of a $2.85 million gift from Open Gates, Inc. The donation includes the building and grounds of the Open Gates Health Center on 1111 Washington Blvd in Baltimore, and a $250,000 grant for operations. Paul's Place plans to use the funds to institute a capital reserve for the building and create a Health & Wellness Fund supporting future community health initiatives.

Built in 2003, the modern facility includes 15,000 square feet of space and can accommodate hundreds of patients each week. By owning the building, Paul's Place will be able to further its mission of improving the quality of life in the Southwest Baltimore neighborhood, where the majority of residents live in extreme poverty. Healthcare is provided at the facility by Peoples Community Health Centers, a Baltimore based federally qualified health center organization.

Marla Oros, chairwoman of the board directors of Open Gates and a member of the Paul's Place board said, "We are thrilled to ensure the long-term stability of the important health and wellness programs provided by both Open Gates and Paul's Place. Our goals are two-fold: to meet the healthcare needs of the uninsured locally and to build awareness for these communities and issues nationally."

"We are extremely grateful to Open Gates for their generous donation to support Paul's Place and the residents of Pigtown/Washington Village," said Bill McLennan, Executive Director of Paul's Place. "The donation is emblematic of the selfless commitment that Open Gates and its leadership has made to this community and will always be appreciated."

According to the 2000 Census, Washington Village/Pigtown has the seventh largest concentration of urban poverty in the nation. The majority of residents are living in extreme poverty due to the decline in industrial jobs and the influx of illegal drugs in the early 70's. Individuals residing in this neighborhood struggle daily to satisfy basic survival needs, and to improve skills that can better their lives such as education, job training and access to healthcare.

Paul's Place brings stability to the lives of Pigtown residents, improving their health and well being, providing structure for their children, and offering them hope and purpose. For more information, please visit www.paulsplaceoutreach.org.