BALTIMORE — A veteran went to what he thought was a normal block party and ended up with a home.
Leon Ralph Noel was one of several who applied for Rock City Church's Adopt a Block program. The church throws block parties with music and food in high crime city neighborhoods to get to know the residents and help connect them with services.
Once a year, they work with volunteers and sponsors to turn an abandoned house into a home for a veteran, helping both them and the community.
"So when we do a house like this, that means that other people will be attracted to this block and this neighborhood, and when we come back a few years later, you won't even know it," said Rep. Ejijah Cummings.
Noel said he was completely surprised, he originally planned on moving in with his daughter and granddaughter.
