The University of Maryland, Baltimore announced the closure of its ROAR Center, a facility dedicated to assisting violent crime victims with comprehensive support services. The center, whose name stood for Rebuild, Overcome And Rise, provided counseling, legal assistance, and other support to individuals affected by violent crime.
A university spokesperson attributed the closure to multiple factors, with financial considerations playing a significant role. The center’s funding originated from the Department of Justice through the Maryland governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy. According to reporting, the office had implemented restrictions on victim-services funding eligibility in recent years, resulting in a substantial reduction to the ROAR Center’s budget under the Victims of Crime Act this fiscal year.
The closure will impact the center’s seven staff members, all of whom will be laid off by the end of the fiscal year. Before their departures, employees will complete various assignments remotely. The university indicated it remains committed to supporting crime victims despite the closure.
UMB plans to transition victim services through the EMBRACE Initiative, which operates under the provost’s office. This program will continue offering case management and mental health services to victims. However, the center will no longer provide legal assistance directly. To address this gap, the university indicated plans to contract with a nonprofit organization to maintain legal support services for crime victims in the community.
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