February 12, 2025

Gedco President Of Board Stephanie Shack Motivated By “Passion For Providing Safe And Sustainable Housing” For Baltimore Residents

BALTIMORE, MD (February 12, 2025) – Providing legal support and strategic direction to high-profile real estate organizations in the greater Maryland region, Stephanie Shack has always been motivated by the pressing need to provide safe and sustainable housing for Baltimore-area residents. After serving on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake for more than 15 years, she was interested in a new leadership role with a similar organization and began volunteering her time with Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO). Last year, she was elected as the first female President of the Board of Directors of the 35-year-old organization.

“I am extremely grateful that I have never had to worry about where to go home at night or when I might have my next meal, but those are real and constant concerns for a surprising number of Baltimore residents,” explained Shack, Senior Vice President, General Counsel of Continental Realty Corporation. “It is extremely important for a person to have a safe home to come to every night, in order to have a strong sense of security and recharge their batteries for the next day. Many people do have homes, but they are not safe or secure. Home and food insecurity impacts everyone on some level, and organizations such as GEDCO are committed to making a meaningful difference.”

Shack was attracted to GEDCO because of its mission to provide affordable housing support services and emergency assistance to local residents, and because it also addressed the challenges of housing, homelessness, hunger, and aging.

Overview of GEDCO support of homeless and other persons in need

GEDCO provides housing and supportive services, including a mental health program, to nearly 80 individuals and families who are disabled and had previously been homeless. These individuals reside at Harford House, Micah House, and Ascension Homes. Additionally, GEDCO provides housing and supportive housing for more than 500 older adults in four buildings at the Stadium Place affordable retirement community, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Senior Housing at the Gallagher Mansion, and Epiphany house.

Annually, more than 4,000 individuals receive food and support through GEDCO’s CARES program, which helps people in crisis avoid evictions and utility cut-offs, helps pay for prescription medicines, provides aid to stretch food budgets, and offers access to healthy food choices through a pantry. Partnering with the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, GEDCO assists individuals who need help creating resumes, conducting job searches, completing job applications, and practicing for job interviews.

Disabled Army veteran receives GEDCO support after electricity turned off

Eugene Nixon is a disabled, Army veteran with kidney disease The Baltimore City resident travels to and from dialysis by bus three times weekly and, after both back and knee surgery, he is no longer able to provide for himself financially. By the time Eugene was referred to GEDCO by a friend, his electricity was turned off and, because he was months behind on his rent, resorted to staying with his aunt.

Eugene came to GEDCO in desperate need of help. “I had nowhere else to go,” Nixon explained. “I deal with many medical issues, have to take the bus everywhere, and I was about to be kicked out of my aunt’s house.”

With the help of GEDCO, Eugene was able to get a security deposit for his place, and have his lights turned back on. “I’m so thankful,” he said. “Everyone else had said they couldn’t help me but now I’m back in my own place.”

Philanthropy starts at the top of the organization

When interviewing for her current job at Continental Realty Corporation, Shack was open about her passion for the work of GEDCO. Shack was pleasantly surprised to find that philanthropy and volunteerism are embraced at Continental Realty Corporation as opposed to being seen as detractors from business objectives.

“I was gratified to learn that my volunteer commitments actually helped me get the job,” Shack said. When making the formal announcement of her hiring, CRC explained “Stephanie’s inspiring volunteerism aligns with our corporate mission of making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.”

“The CRC leadership team leads by example when it comes to giving back to the community, providing support to organizations involved in important causes, and furthering its philanthropy mission,” Shack said. “The company is committed to helping those in need and maintaining the vibrancy of the city. Among CRC’s goals are to build the best team, exceed expectations and lead with integrity. When I volunteer my time with GEDCO and other organizations, I represent not only myself, but also the company I work for.”

Making a $2 million contribution routine

Shack has lofty goals in her new role, beginning with fundraising.

Last year, heads swooned when philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gifted $2 million to GEDCO.

“It takes a considerable amount of money to maintain our programming and, of course, with more funding we can impact a larger percentage of the population,” Shack said. “My objective is to raise awareness of the housing and food insecurity issues Baltimoreans face every day and energize individuals and corporations to contribute to this important cause. I dream of the day when a $2 million gift becomes a regular occurrence rather than a rare event.”

GEDCO is funded, in part, by nearly 25 organizational partners, including the Abell Foundation, M&T Charitable Foundation, and T. Rowe Price Foundation.

“As a real estate lawyer, I was trained to problem-solve, think logically and empower others to arrive at the correct solution, and I use these attributes in my leadership role at GEDCO,” Shack said. “Priority one is to make people take notice of the situation and step two is to motivate them to take action. We are making tremendous inroads on both, and I believe our organization has great momentum.”

Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and founded in 1960, Continental Realty Corporation is a full-service commercial real estate and investment company focused on acquiring and operating retail and multifamily properties. The privately held firm owns and manages a diversified portfolio of retail centers consisting of approximately eight million square feet of commercial space and more than 10,000 apartment homes across 13 states, with a portfolio value exceeding $4 billion. For additional information, visit www.crcrealty.com.