It was a simple meal between fellow Catholics, one the archbishop of Baltimore, the other then-Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley, that would give rise to a center with a sole mission to change the lives of men.

With a closing prayer, the two pledged to pool their combined contacts and resources to build the country’s only comprehensive resource center designed to elevate men out of poverty, provide job training and placement services, and house and feed them until they reach their goals.

On Thursday, both men were there to officially open Catholic Charities’ Our Daily Bread Employment Center at 725 Fallsway.

“We needed a large facility where we could offer a variety of services to souls in crisis,” said Cardinal William Keeler, the archbishop of Baltimore.

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“There are no spare Americans, no spare lives,” Gov. O’Malley said. “Everyone needs a decent home, a decent meal and job. The people who pass through these doors will be given the opportunity to have it thanks to this Center.”

As mayor, O’Malley directed the city to acquire the land for Catholic Charities to build the 52,000-square-foot building.

“I had hit rock bottom, was homeless and addicted to drugs and alcohol,” said Darwin Sketer, a graduate of Christopher Place Employment Academy — a residential program for homeless men aimed at employment and permanent housing. “I lost my job as a sales manager, my wife and newborn son. I had gone through 30- and 45-day treatment programs but it wasn’t enough. ... But here I had a long-term solution and received the support and services I needed. I now have a job as a senior mortgage lender and I’m back with my ex-wife and son.”

Other on-site services include: Our Daily Bread hot meal program, the Maryland Re-entry Partnership for ex-convicts, case management, and medical and social services.

“We are writing the ultimate turnaround story here and creating a model for the nation,” Catholic Charities Executive Director Harold Smith said.

Smith said Our Daily Bread at 411 Cathedral St. would be renovated to provide the identical same services for women and become the new home of My Sister’s Place.

rchappelle@baltimoreexaminer.com