The Transformation Center Offers Hope 

By Sharon Mager

BROOKLYN, Md. — A young blonde woman in her mid-twenties arrived at the gym entrance of The Transformation Center (TC) on Fourth Street in Brooklyn late on a sweltering Wednesday afternoon in May. Her face was smeared with mascara, her skin was sallow, and her wrists bore scars from self-injury. Holding a small white plastic bag, she made her way to a registration table, then sat alone waiting for dinner.

She looked lonely, so I sat down beside her and started to chat. We’ll call her Dani to protect her privacy.

“How are you doing?” I asked.

Resting her head in her hand, she replied, “It’s so hot out there.”

She told me it was her second time visiting the center.

I naively asked, “Oh, do you live around here?”

She rolled her eyes and answered, “I stay anywhere I can.”

Diverting the conversation, I pointed toward the basketball hoop and told her I always wished I had played basketball in school.

“I played forward,” she said.

I told her I joined the band instead. Then I asked if she played an instrument.

“I was in chorus,” she replied.

A few moments later, she volunteered something more personal. “I went to college,” she said. “I was taking psychology courses but had to drop out.”

Dani also shared that she grew up in Pennsylvania. How she ended up living on the streets of Brooklyn and Curtis Bay remains a mystery. I had just met her, so I didn’t ask. But she seemed grateful for the conversation.

Soon a volunteer arrived carrying a plate of homemade meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, green beans and cake. With a smile, he set it before her and said, “Enjoy!”

Another volunteer brought iced tea, which Dani quickly drank down. I asked if I could pray with her before I left the table. She nodded with a shy smile and bowed her head.

Dani’s story is just one example of the lives touched each week through TC’s ministries.

The Bridge

That Wednesday evening, 37 people arrived for TC’s weekly “The Bridge” outreach, with volunteers serving full dinners to individuals experiencing homelessness.

Guests are welcomed, registered and invited to share a hot meal at round tables covered with black tablecloths, giving the gym a more comfortable family-dinner setting.

More than a dozen volunteers help make the evenings possible, gathering food and supplies, organizing donations, preparing meals, serving guests and cleaning up afterward.

Just before the doors open, TC Executive Director Brian Zimmerman, Operations Director Mallory Johnson, staff members and volunteers join hands to pray for the guests and ask God’s blessing on the food.

In addition to dinner, guests can receive gently used clothing on the first Wednesday of each month. Volunteer hairstylist Dawn Bowers also provides free haircuts.

Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D) Executive Director Tom Stolle visited TC that evening, accompanied by Richard Pope of the BCM/D compassion ministry team, and founding pastor of Canvas Church, Salisbury. The men spent time serving meals, greeting guests and encouraging the staff and volunteers.

One thing that quickly becomes apparent is the sense of community among the guests as they greet one another, stand around chatting and eat together.

“It’s amazing how close the homeless community is,” said Brian, who also serves as pastor of Streetlite Christian Fellowship, on Fifth Street, just a few streets from TC.

“I know life must be so hard for them,” Stolle said. “I’m sure they share experiences and build relationships.”

Mary Moss, who helps oversee showers and clothing sorting with her husband, Joseph, has seen that closeness firsthand. She recalled a regular guest whose husband recently died from a drug overdose. Many who arrived at TC already knew the news and were grieving alongside her.

More Than a Meal

“The Bridge” is only one aspect of TC’s broader mission to “connect people to their God-given destiny by providing pathways for them to rise above the obstacles of poverty, addiction, poor education, unemployment and social injustice.”

TC offers several programs designed to meet practical needs, demonstrating Christ’s love while affirming the dignity of every person and building relationships within the community.

Through Lilie’s Place on Saturdays, families receive food, clothing, diapers and household necessities. Guests often leave with several days’ worth of groceries, including produce, meat, bread and dairy products.

TC Prints, managed by Robert “Reds” Thomas, provides job-training opportunities through a custom apparel business that helps formerly incarcerated individuals gain work experience and transition back into the workforce.

The center also operates TC Kids, a year-round program offering games, crafts and recreational activities for children in grades 3-8.

Another partnership with MedStar Mobile Health Center provides primary care services, wellness exams, testing and health insurance assistance.

Throughout the year, TC also hosts special events such as food and toy drives at Christmas, baskets at Easter and summer block parties.

Zimmerman founded the nonprofit eleven years ago. Over the years, God has answered many prayers, and TC has grown into a trusted neighborhood hub serving hundreds of individuals and families each week.

Johnson said one of the most rewarding aspects of the ministry is seeing relationships develop over time.

“It really takes time to build trust in environments like this,” she said. “Now, when I drive in, I know just about everyone.”

“The investment within our staff and volunteers is opening the doors to deeper and transformative conversations,” Johnson said. “Through those relationships, more people are becoming involved in church, and many are accepting Christ. That’s the biggest change.”

TC is supported by private donations and partnerships with churches and community organizations.

Volunteers and mission teams are welcome, and housing is available on-site. Visit their “Get Involved” page to learn more.

Learn how the BCM/D can partner with your church to start or strengthen a compassion ministry by contacting Associate Executive Director/Compassion Ministry Director Mark Dooley at [email protected].

Feature Photo: Brian Zimmerman and his daughter, Mallory Johnson, at the Transformation Center.

Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D content and stories editor.