University of Maryland Closes Baltimore ROAR Center

The institution is cutting seven positions due to a sharp decline in federal funding for victim services.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring a geometric brick-red facade fragment, evoking the closure of an institutional victim services center. — The University of Maryland, Baltimore is closing The ROAR Center, a legal and counseling service for crime victims, following federal funding cuts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should universities prioritize financial savings over maintaining specialized crime victim support services in their communities?

The University of Maryland, Baltimore is shuttering The ROAR Center, which has provided legal and counseling services to violent crime victims since 2019. The university plans to transition most of the center's responsibilities to the existing EMBRACE Initiative.

Why it matters

The closure follows a significant reduction in funding from the federal Victims of Crime Act, creating a fiscal shortfall for the university-run program. Officials are now working to ensure continuity of care through alternative partnerships and initiatives.

Seven staff members have been notified of their termination following a decrease in federal funding. These employees will continue to receive pay for eight months while completing assigned tasks through June 2027.

The players

University of Maryland, Baltimore

This public research university operates the Francis King Carey School of Law and manages various legal and health service programs.

The ROAR Center

Established in 2019, this center provided legal support and counseling services to survivors of violent crimes in the Baltimore area.

The EMBRACE Initiative

This campus-based program focuses on community engagement and will absorb the majority of the operational duties formerly held by the ROAR Center.

The details

The university is currently negotiating a contract with an external nonprofit legal services provider to replace the representation services previously offered by the center. While the program was slated to relocate to a newly renovated office space in West Baltimore, those plans are now being re-evaluated alongside the broader transition to the EMBRACE Initiative.

The ROAR Center was originally founded in 2019.
Staff members were officially notified of their terminations in October 2026.
Paid assignments for departing staff members will conclude in June 2027.

Legal Context

The closure of the ROAR Center reflects the volatile nature of relying on the federal Victims of Crime Act for ongoing operational costs. This shift highlights a broader trend where university-housed legal clinics struggle to maintain service levels during periods of federal grant contraction.

The transition to the EMBRACE Initiative and an outside nonprofit provider may result in changes to the accessibility and availability of legal representation for local crime victims. Residents previously served by the center are encouraged to monitor university communications regarding the status of their ongoing cases.

The takeaway

Maintaining specialized legal services requires stable, long-term funding streams beyond temporary federal grants. Individuals seeking support should contact the university directly to determine how the transition to new providers will affect their current service requirements.