The Eunice Casey Foundation

Meet our Executive Director

Mrs. Leslie Casey Blake – Founder and Executive Director

Leslie was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA by her single mother Eunice Casey and grandmother Ida Casey. Leslie grew up in the Burrows Housing Projects however, she and her mother eventually moved in with her grandmother Ida to Robinson Street. At that time she was enrolled at St. Agnes School, where she excelled academically.  However, during this time Leslie and her grandmother had to deal with Eunice's unexpected mental illness. Although a difficult situation, Leslie went on to graduated the top ten percent of her class from Schenley High School in 1988. Afterwards Leslie attended Penn State University, not finishing her degree she went on to work for awhile eventually moving to Maryland in 1995.

As the Founder and Executive Director of The Eunice Casey Foundation, Inc., the foundation brings awareness to mental illness, homelessness and disadvantaged youth. As a young child, Leslie witnessed first- hand the struggles of mental illness and homelessness while being raised by a single mother, Eunice. The struggles impacted her so much that it fueled her passion and commitment to establish a foundation to support people and families that are struggling with mental illness and homelessness. Some of the service campaigns initiated through the ECF includes supporting the Baltimore Station with providing meals, clothing and water to homeless vets. Her motivation to empower others is seen in many of the community service projects she is involved in.                                                                                     

Leslie is heavily invested in the wellness of disadvantaged children in Baltimore City. Having a strong passion for the welfare of the youth, she has established programs mentoring children to set a firm foundation to help them find success in life no matter what their financial status may be. Additionally, Leslie spear-headed a yearly campaign for the past three years to give book bags and supplies to students in several Baltimore City Public Schools. In 2022, the bookbag drive was able to raise over $200 in donations and over 100 bookbags filled with school supplies to students. Some additional programs Leslie is looking to establish is a mental health therapy group, a summer camp and scholarship fund.

Leslie holds a dual Masters in Public Relations and Distance Education and BA in Humanities both completed from the University Maryland University College. For the past 14 years, Leslie has worked for Baltimore City Public Schools, including 11 years as a special educator, and was promoted to IEP Team Associate managing special education meetings and paperwork.

Some of the many additional projects Leslie has initiated includes creating a theater program at her school in 2014 as well as directing student plays for the past five years. The plays include, The Wiz-performed at two different schools, The Lion King, Annie Jr, and The Little Mermaid Jr. In her spare time, she is a singer who has performed several years in New York City, Washington, DC, Los Angeles and Baltimore, including releasing two albums, an EP called Take a Chance in 2006 and Let’s Play in 2010.

Leslie has been a member of New Covenant Community United Church of Christ in Catonsville for the past ten years, and she spends many hours serving and supporting the church’s community and social justice initiatives.

It is Leslie's hope that her mother's legacy lives through her and beyond with this powerful organization.

Currently Leslie resides in Catonsville, MD with her husband Brian Blake, a Doctoral Candidate who is an Assistant Principal for Baltimore City Public Schools and their doggie Benson.


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