02.06.23
On the coldest weekend of the year, you showed up and helped raise enough to support care, housing, and advocacy for over 600 of our neighbors experiencing homelessness. We couldn't have done it without support from Health Care for the Homeless staff and volunteers (including 40+ members of our larger community).
We sampled everything from movie night snacks to mousse martinis—and we looked good doing it! Take a peek at the shots from the 360° photobooth and the red carpet step-and-repeat.
This year’s film pairings explored themes that connect us to our humanity and related histories—covering topics including youth homelessness, food apartheid and land sovereignty, the "Highway to Nowhere" cutting through West Baltimore, as well as local Black business owners who share a love for their city.
They set a remarkable stage for the premiere of "We are a Mirror of Love," a title taken from a poem by Albert Miller that both opens and closes this film. Click the link below to meet Kiona, Albert, Athena and Spencer, four people who share the experience of homelessness and the refusal to let it define them. Each has thoughts about the meaning of health and home and how we can transform society by putting love into action.
WATCH "WE ARE A MIRROR OF LOVE"
The need to reflect doesn’t stop when the credits roll. Whether you felt challenged or inspired by the film selections, we hope you will continue to consider these questions:
The filmmakers, community leaders, and partners who contributed to the night’s inspired line-up:
All of our event sponsors:
Thank you for making this year’s Chocolate Affair a night to remember.
Meet our new Director of Practice Operations Cecelia Lane! A DMV native with 18 years of experience in health care operations, Cecelia is coming to us after several years in leadership positions on the West coast, as well as her work as a community health consultant. In her new position, Cecelia will oversee registration, benefits enrollment and referrals, improving access to care throughout the agency. Learn more about her plans (and her two Yorkshire terriers!) below.
This summer could be the hottest on record in Maryland—make sure that you know how to keep yourself and your neighbors safe.
On January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for enslaved individuals in the Confederacy, but those in Galveston, Texas were not made aware until June 19, 1865. This day, also known as Freedom Day, Independence Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day, commemorates emancipation and Black liberation. See ways to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth this year!