Profile

Oscar Riaz

"Yo soy de mi país." Oscar is a barber and family man, seen here in a jersey for the Honduras national football team. This story was translated from the original Spanish.

View Full Story ›

Get Loud at Lobby Day 2020

Mary Beth

“I got a late Christmas gift this year.” That’s how Mary Beth describes the moment her therapist, Jill, told her she had secured a dental appointment for her at our downtown clinic.

View Full Story ›

The Behavioral Health Unit at the University of Maryland Medical Center came together to donate 40 street survival kits, providing dozens of our neighbors with essential items, including socks, hats, hygiene items, snacks and more.

Statistics

We’re working to give 50% of kids dental varnishes—and healthy smiles.

Here's how we're meeting this goal

Roses are red, violets are blue...

Everybody deserves excellent health care, no matter where they sleep at night. Our performance improvement work helps to ensure that we provide excellent care to everyone we serve.

Chuck Amos , Director of Performance Improvement

Kaelah Jordan

A resident of Sojourner Place at Oliver, Kaelah Jordan grew up "a huge nerd" with a deep curiosity for the world around her. She dreams of creating a children's sanctuary to help kids of color who are being let down by the system. "Can you imagine the world that we can bring to fruition?"

View Full Story ›

My past is not my future

Ben And Mary

Do you remember the last time you moved? The excitement, the stress? Buying new supplies and home goods, getting water and electricity turned on and leaving a familiar community is hard for all of us—even in the best of times.

Imagine navigating this transition with little money for necessities and no family or friends to help. That’s what Ben and Mary are doing.

View Full Story ›

"As a health care clinic committed to racial equity and inclusion, it is our responsibility to prove our trustworthiness through our care. And ensuring clients have the tools necessary to make the best health choices for themselves is the first step."

Arie Hayre-Somuah, LMSW, MPH , REI Health Specialist

Statistics

Men experiencing homelessness who are 45 to 64 years old are 40 to 50% more likely to die of heart disease than people who are housed.

Past Due

“People say, ‘You don’t look homeless.’ I say, ‘What do you think homeless looks like?’ You could look like anything and be homeless.”

Stephen Davidson

“What do you call a bear with no teeth? A gummy bear!” Expect a big smile and a joke like this one whenever you see Stephen Davidson. “I’ve got to learn a new way of living. A new way of dealing with things. It’s the first time I’ve experienced medical difficulties. First time I’ve been in a wheelchair. First time I can’t work. But I might as well have a good attitude about it.”

View Full Story ›

We're thankful for YOU!

John Sales

Kicking a bad habit doesn’t happen overnight. Many of us struggle with things like quitting smoking or cutting out junk food from our diets for years. But we keep taking baby steps—until finally, it sticks.

The same goes for substance use.

View Full Story ›

"Everyone in the huddles is on the same page when it comes to how to approach a client regarding certain issues, and comes together to present things that others may not know. This happens often!"

care team member

Statistics

There are less than 5,000 shelter beds available across the state, but more than 50,000 Marylanders are experiencing homelessness.

A special message of thanks.

“I would not be able to exude the core values of Health Care for the Homeless without the awesome group of people that surround me every day. I genuinely love the work I do and the people I work with.”

Rosita Harris, CMA , Lead Certified Medical Assistant

Albert Miller

Albert Miller is a Board of Directors member and was featured in our 2023 "We are a Mirror of Love" original documentary. He has used yoga, meditation, and "constant volunteerism" to process the anger that weighed him down for much of his life. "I am patient, creative and full of life."

View Full Story ›

There's PUMPKIN special about YOU!

Walt Mell

Walt Mell’s blue eyes droop just a little but they have a twinkle to them. His whole face smiles when he talks. The last 20 or so of his 53 years have been hard. But what you notice right away about Walt is his levity. He goes to the ER for his regular nosebleeds, he says, and he comes to the Health Care for the Homeless clinic in Baltimore County to bring cookies to the staff and "fatten them up."

View Full Story ›

"One thing that drew me to Health Care for the Homeless is their attention to all people from all walks of life, sharing that compassion and humanity. I hope to accomplish that with medicine in the future, too."

Sachin Aggarwal, Help Desk Volunteer

Statistics

A clean, dry, secure environment is fundamental to personal hygiene (including wound care and dressing changes), medication storage (refrigeration of insulin, safe storage of needles) and protection from assault and the elements.

Home is just the beginning

Are you…

On your own and under 21
Living in a shelter
Staying with friends or couch surfing
Runaway
Getting out of the foster care or criminal justice system

…we can help!

Thomas Riddle

Throughout his life, Thomas Riddle was passionate about music and cars. These things brought him happiness. But from the time he was a child, something was missing. It took a heroin habit and homelessness at the age of 50 for him to identify what that was. In his own words, Thomas talks about the importance of love.

View Full Story ›

THANK YOU for making this an unforgettable #GivingTuesday

Kevin Moore

“In 1985 I was charged with the murder of a law enforcement officer. I was given a 20-year sentence. I did 16 years and five months. All those years I lost family members. On April 12, 2002, I came home and my neighborhood was gone. Hollander Ridge. I have been bouncing around from house to house with friends. I’m not going to give up. I’m going to continue to look for a job, I’m 47 years old.

View Full Story ›

"From 1952 until her death, my mother worked with chronically indigent mentally ill and mentally disabled homeless folks, finding them housing. I can't do that. But I can give money."

Claudia Burns , Health Care for the Homeless sustaining donor

Statistics

On any given night in America, 60,000 families with children do not have a place to sleep.

The culture makes all the difference here

"The quality team is here for three reasons—safety, effectiveness and efficiency. We’re not the folks providing the care, but we’re here to help those who are."

Tonii Gedin, Chief Quality Officer

Nevaeh

Nevaeh lived with her parents in an abandoned building until she was one. Lead poisoning, severe speech delays and foster care followed. But now, Nevaeh is thriving thanks to the excellent care she's been receiving at Health Care for the Homeless.

View Full Story ›

Seeing homelessness is different than talking about it

We're not so different, you and I

Kara Nelson signed up to volunteer as a way to get to know her Constellation coworkers better. But after helping nearly 200 people get warm coats and hearing their stories, Kara walked away with an entirely new understanding of homelessness.

View Full Story ›

"I am thrilled to join the Board of Directors and continue to work with the incredible leadership and staff at to help the organization continue to thrive and achieve its mission to prevent and end homelessness in our city."

Stuart Levine , Program and Performance Improvement Board Chair

Statistics

Today, 31% of those experiencing homelessness in the United States are under the age of 24.

Getting Charles Back

"Don’t pre-judge. Just because a person doesn’t have a place to stay doesn’t mean they’re like a bad person. Come here and spend a day with me or somebody at the clinic and you’ll see exactly how people are: people."

Kenny Willis , front desk

Dental care gave David a chance against cancer

We don’t know what the future holds for David.*

Before he could get his late-stage cancer treated, David’s oncologist told him that his mouth had to be cleared of all infection.

Parita Patel, our Dental Director, did what she could. She conducted an exam and pulled many of his infected teeth. But David needed oral surgery with sedation to safely remove all the damaged teeth.

View Full Story ›

"Each person showed me there was somebody else here that could help."

Linda Mason

Women in crisis have a safe space and excellent care because of you. Your support makes sure women like Linda Mason get care when they need it most.

Linda’s world flipped upside down when her cancer returned two years ago. Isolated and afraid, Linda turned to alcohol to numb the pain and fear. Luckily, she knew where she could go for help.

View Full Story ›

"I see such great potential in our medical work. And now I get the great honor of leading the medical assistants. I’m looking forward to using all the different strengths of our CMAs to create a stronger team."

Rosita Harris, CMA , Lead Certified Medical Assistant

Statistics

More than 50,000 Marylanders are experiencing homelessness—that’s more than can fit in Oriole Park.

Get fired up for Lobby Day 2019

“When we speak of homelessness, I speak of a person who doesn’t have a key to his or her own place.”

James Judkins , Client

Anthony Griffin

Anthony is proud of where he is today—celebrating a year of sobriety and opening his first bank account. "Now I’m ready to pass on that strength to kids in the community. There’s a voice crying out in me that says, 'Don’t you see what’s happening out here? Do something!'"

View Full Story ›

Virtual Tours: 421 Fallsway & Sojourner Place at Oliver

Donnell Gamble

Donnell Gamble never knew his birth parents, but for most of his young years he knew stability. Then one day it was gone. Donnell grew up in the foster system until he was 8, when he was adopted. For the next decade, he lived in West Baltimore with his adoptive mother. He graduated on time from a small public high school that emphasized college prep. But the importance his school placed on college did not translate into a plan for Donnell for life after school.

View Full Story ›

"The advocacy work of the organization is the backbone of it; it helps you bring more people in."

George Marsh-Bey , the sixth client to walk through the doors of Health Care for the Homeless in 1985

Statistics

People experiencing homelessness are twice as likely as their housed counterparts to experience a heart attack or stroke.

Four Ten Lofts | The Tour

"I'm so grateful that people still care and are checking on me."

Client , during a telehealth phone visit

Our pediatrics team is on the move

Our pediatrics team members usually don’t sit still. Sitting still means they’re not out meeting people—and meeting people is key. So they get out in the community a few days a week and visit shelters across the city. Nurse Practitioner Judy Kandel and Social Worker Debbie Wilcox visit Booth House on Wednesday mornings. Here, they share an office and together, helping connect families who are staying in the shelter to care.

View Full Story ›

Sojourner Place at Argyle Avenue—Welcome home

Woodrow McCoy

"At 66 years old I’m still looking for new ways to give back." Read this story from client and community builder, Woodrow McCoy.

View Full Story ›

"Anybody can face homelessness. It’s not just the people that you think are poor or rich, it’s everybody. Anything can happen to anybody at any time. I think that’s one of the biggest things I’ve realized working here."

Kenny Willis , front desk

Statistics

To afford a two bedroom rental home on a minimum wage job in Maryland, you would have to work 115 hours a week.

From our hearts to yours - thank you!

We advocate for individual clients, but we also advocate for policy change because it’s the only way to end homelessness for ALL our clients.

Barbara DiPietro , Senior Director, Policy

Lucia

Lucia's son Israel (2 months) was one of the first babies born through the obstetrics program at Health Care for the Homeless. Originally from Guerrero, Mexico, she dreams of continuing her studies, bringing Israel's brother to the United States, and her family having their own home.

"That’s what I want people to know: whatever troubles life gives us, you cannot give in. We have to fight to keep moving forward."

View Full Story ›

It's really hard to talk about...

Kassie Carter

As a young girl, Kassie Carter saw first-hand the impact of poor dental care. “I knew there needed to be an awareness of dental care in our family, because no one had any teeth.

View Full Story ›

"LGBTQ+ youth are 40% more likely to be homeless - it’s important to provide community and support."

Kara White , Behavioral Health Therapist

Statistics

In Baltimore, 21.8% of the population lives in poverty — more than double the state average

Four Ten Lofts | Baltimore Needs More Housing

"It’s better for a new client to hear from a person who’s been there—I know he has an understanding. You can get a better understanding of what’s going on if you can relate to people."

James Barnes , client

Melvin Jones

Melvin is a people person. He likes talking, and after sitting with him for a few minutes, you feel like you’ve known him for years. So when he came into Health Care for the Homeless a few months ago for a check-up with his medical provider, it wasn’t too surprising that he told us he was loving his new found career in sales.

View Full Story ›

View More Profiles View More Videos

Search form

Oscar Riaz

Get Loud at Lobby Day 2020

Mary Beth

We’re working to give 50% of kids dental varnishes—and healthy smiles.

Roses are red, violets are blue...

Kaelah Jordan

Ben And Mary

Past Due

Stephen Davidson

We're thankful for YOU!

John Sales

A special message of thanks.

Albert Miller

There's PUMPKIN special about YOU!

Walt Mell

Home is just the beginning

Thomas Riddle

Kevin Moore

The culture makes all the difference here

Nevaeh

Seeing homelessness is different than talking about it

We're not so different, you and I

Dental care gave David a chance against cancer

Linda Mason

Get fired up for Lobby Day 2019

Anthony Griffin

Donnell Gamble

"I'm so grateful that people still care and are checking on me."

Our pediatrics team is on the move

Sojourner Place at Argyle Avenue—Welcome home

Woodrow McCoy

From our hearts to yours - thank you!

Lucia

It's really hard to talk about...

Kassie Carter

Four Ten Lofts | Baltimore Needs More Housing

Melvin Jones