Annual Appeal 2025

My name is Devonte McQueen-Riley, and I am a proud U.S. Air Force veteran. When I arrived at The Baltimore Station, I had been out of the military for nearly ten years, completely unaware of the benefits and support available to me as a veteran. Life had become uncertain, and I was searching for direction. What I found at The Baltimore Station was not just a place to stay, but a place to start again.

The Baltimore Station provided me with a stable environment when I needed it most. Through their guidance, I was connected to healthcare, educational benefits, and a network of people who believed in me even when I struggled to believe in myself. I was finally able to get the care I needed, regain my confidence, and begin to rebuild my life from the ground up.

Since then, everything has changed. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration using VA benefits, and I am now completing my MBA. In less than a year, I will begin my Doctorate of Business Administration. These are accomplishments I never imagined possible when I first walked through those doors. The Baltimore Station helped me see that my story wasn’t over, but rather, it was just beginning.

What sets The Baltimore Station apart is its unwavering commitment to transformation. They do more than provide shelter. They restore dignity. They rebuild self-worth. They reignite purpose in men who once felt forgotten. I witnessed it firsthand… veterans standing tall again, not as statistics or charity cases, but as leaders, students, fathers, and community members determined to rise above their circumstances.

The Baltimore Station inspired me to give back in the same way they gave to me. I now dedicate my time to helping other veterans find their footing, sharing my story as proof that change is possible when compassion meets opportunity.

I will always carry with me the lessons and hope that The Baltimore Station instilled in me. Their impact reaches far beyond their walls. It transforms lives, strengthens communities, and reminds us that every veteran deserves a chance to rebuild and thrive.

When I look back at where I started and where I am today, I know none of it would have been possible without The Baltimore Station. They believed in me until I learned to believe in myself, and that belief became the foundation for everything I have achieved since. Your donations make stories like mine possible. Every contribution helps veterans find stability, purpose, and a chance to start again. Together, we can keep changing lives and giving hope where it is needed most.