About Us

History

Echo House was founded in 1964 by Howard Offit. Mr. Offit owned R & S Construction Company and many rental properties in Baltimore City. Many of his tenants in Baltimore were low income families.

Seeking a way to improve the social and economic conditions of these families, Mr. Offit sought the help of several prominent individual: Veri Lewis, former Dean of the University of Maryland School of Social Work; Stanly Mazer, former assistant for Urban Renewal; and, Daniel Thruz, Associate Director of Vista. Together they developed a plan to organize the families in the Franklin Square neighborhood and recruited volunteers to work to improve the quality of life and sense of community by:

• Soliciting families who were resistive and distrustful of avenues of relief;
• Providing education on home maintenance and purchasing habits;
• Counseling families on health, nutrition, child rearing, employment, and when appropriate, making referrals to public and private agencies;
and
• Offering supportive services during periods of crisis in a family.

In 1966, Echo House became a 501c3 tax exempt organization. A few notable individuals who were members of the first Board of Directors included; the late Caswell Caplan, owner of the Time Reality; the late Stuart Rome, attorney; former Governor William Donald Schaefer; Charles Tildon, Consultant; and Robert Embry, President of the Abell Foundation.

In the late 1960's, increasing racial tensions created distrust between the community and many philanthropic funding resources. Walter Carter, a community activist, convinced the Community Chest of the merit to fund grassroots organizations with African American constituents. The Community Chest, along with Echo House as a member agency, later became the United Way of Central Maryland.

Although United Way still continues to be vital in the funding of the Echo House, others have joined to carry out the mission by providing their resources. These relationships include: Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems, Inc.; Baltimore City Health Department; Baltimore City Public School Systems; Baltimore Jewish Council; Department of Homeless Services; and other private agencies.