Across Southern Maryland, many have heard of Angel’s Watch Shelter, but may not know the life changing impact they have in our community. Charitable Trust Staff sat down with Kathleen Ruben, Angel’s Watch Program Manager, to learn more about this vital resource.
Angel’s Watch, operating within the umbrella of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington, is an emergency shelter serving women and families from Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties. The families and individuals served are survivors of domestic violence situations or other trauma that leads to homelessness. Originally in Hughesville, the shelter moved to Waldorf in 2019, a helpful change Kathleen notes made public transportation and job opportunities more accessible for residents. The shelter is open 24/7 in a secure facility to ensure safety of all residents and staff. Kathleen reports they have seen a rise in emergency shelter needs in recent years citing a lack of employment opportunities, the rising cost of living, and mass federal layoffs affecting our communities.
Angel’s Watch Shelter provides everything families need upon arrival. “We are here for them,” Kathleen states. “We don’t want people homeless or living out of their cars. We take care of everything here. Angel’s Watch is a safe and secure place.” When a family arrives at the shelter, they receive everything to meet basic needs: towels, sheets, toiletries, clothing as needed. Each family has their own room that fits up to 5-6 people. Each of the 30 available rooms is fitted with double bunk beds and the facility has a large dining room, commercial kitchen, laundry room, as well as a computer lab, library, fitness equipment, and a playground.
“You can see the worry on people’s faces when they come in. One week later, they are so much more relaxed.” Kathleen notes that once safe shelter and basic needs are met, the important work towards stability can begin for their families. Angel’s Watch has two full-time case managers who work one-on-one with each family to create a “Housing Plan” within 1-2 days of arrival. Each Housing Plan is different depending on the family’s situation and needs. Families that enter Angel’s Watch come from a vast background of situations and may be recovering from domestic violence, substance use, job loss, or eviction.
While Emergency Shelter is designed to last 45-90 days, some Angel’s Watch families stay up to 6 months. Barriers to quicker stability include a current lack of affordable housing in Southern Maryland, federal layoffs and government shutdowns increasing needs and decreasing resources, as well as unusually disruptive winter weather this year that has shuttered offices slowing housing, employment, and other processes. A lack of childcare resources for unemployed/job searching parents is also a struggle that Angel’s Watch Staff try to assist with. Despite the barriers for residents as well as a difficult time financially for all nonprofits nationwide, Angel’s Watch remains committed to helping local families. In 2025, the average stay at Angel’s Watch was 126 days with a 87% successful discharge rate (success is measured by acquisition of a stable housing situation). Two months into 2026, the length of stay has increased, however, discharged families have a 94% success rate.
It takes approximately $1 million annually to run Angel’s Watch Shelter, so ongoing funding is a primary need. Angel’s Watch receives some funding from Catholic Charities, but relies on additional grants and donor funds to keep their doors open. This year they will have the added expense of replacing the shelter’s air conditioning system and any extra funding received would help them acquire more staff. Donations can be made through their website (Select Angel’s Watch from the drop down box!): https://giving.catholiccharitiesdc.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5141&mfc_pref=T&5141.donation=form1