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.

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Housing is health care

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.

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

Client , during a telehealth phone visit

Statistics

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

The Chocolate Affair is back!

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

Anthony Stone

Anthony is always cracking jokes around 421 Fallsway, where he also volunteers to help other clients navigate their care.

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Thanks for Giving

Jimmy Tyson

Jimmy's new home at Sojourner Place is the "launch pad" for his future. Next up: putting his old plumbing tools back to work.

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"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

Statistics

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

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

“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

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.

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Homeless Persons' Memorial Day 2021

"Angels Among Us"

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."

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"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

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

This eight-year-old will inspire you

"It’s hard sometimes to be nice to people. I been through a lot; sometimes people get one over on you. But you have to reach your hands out. If you have something to give—you give it."

Client and community member

Charles Johnson

Two years ago, Charles Johnson was staying in abandoned rowhouses in West Baltimore with no insurance, no income and nowhere to turn for health care needs. “I’ve been pulling my teeth out with a pair of pliers and a wash rag,” he said back then. “And I don’t have my top teeth now.”

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There's more to health care than, well, health care...

Meet a fighter and a winner

When you first meet Kara Demindes, you’re struck by her unshakable resolve. Born at just 24 weeks, Kara spent the first nine months of her life in the hospital, fighting to survive. “I held on,” she says. “And I’m still holding on today.”

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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

Statistics

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

Here's how we're meeting this goal

COVID-19 Testing at Health Care for the Homeless

“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

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.

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We Need a Lot of Healing

Julia O'Connor

I’m a proud two-year member of the Rock Your Socks 5K team, A Solid Case of the Runs.

All credit for the punny team name goes to my social work friend and team captain, Kim Riopelle—your Supportive Housing Coordinator at Health Care for the Homeless.

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"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

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.

We are a Mirror of Love

"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

Trust Tierra: Our clients do

Tierra Bolling connects with our clients in a way that few can.

As a child, Tierra watched both of her parents struggle with substance use, and she knows first-hand what it’s like to experience homelessness. Tierra’s early years taught her that hard times don’t define your future. Change is possible.

"This doesn’t have to be what your life is like,” she reminds her clients.

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Past Due

Armstead Hetherington

At Health Care for the Homeless, Armstead Hetherington was a bit of a celebrity. On any given day, you’d find him chatting or laughing with staff and clients or participating in one of several advocacy groups. His big smile and bright eyes make him a draw in any crowd. For years, Armstead shied away from being in the spotlight because he was missing most of his teeth.

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"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

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

We Are All Just Human

"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

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.

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Purchase your Chocolate Affair ticket today!

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.

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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!

Statistics

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

Get Loud at Lobby Day 2020

"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

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."

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Four Ten Lofts | The Tour

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."

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"People trust me. That's the work of a Community Health Worker—to develop trust."

Senior Community Health Worker

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.

The Chocolate Affair is back in person!

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

Kara White , Behavioral Health Therapist

Jeff Garrett

Being Dad

For Jeff Garrett, life was all about being a dad. Each morning, he woke his two children up with breakfast, got them ready and dropped them off at school with a big kiss and a hug. And when the bell rang at the end of the school day, he was there to bring them home and help with homework or get dinner prepared.

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This V-Day is Vaccine Day!

Carlton Smith

Each day, Carlton trekked downtown for heroin. Drugs had landed him 33 years in prison, cost him the support of his family and prevented him from keeping a job.

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"Our compassion. It’s a real genuine place. We actually do care about what we do on a day-to-day basis. That’s why Health Care for the Homeless is special. I try to treat everybody with respect, and usually I get it back."

Kenny Willis , front desk

Statistics

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

Home is just the beginning

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

Ray Fitzberger

Last winter, Ray Fitzberger got frostbite on his legs and feet. Doctors had to remove three toes on his left foot. Not long after the surgery, Ray was released from the hospital.

Every day, people we know and love undergo surgery to address life-threatening conditions. If they have no place to go, they get discharged back to the streets.

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How to Properly Wear a Face Mask

“Mommy, are we going to be here past tomorrow?”

Philisha fought for Gabby and Travis every day.

As the 90-day limit at a local shelter wound down, she agonized over keeping her family together and keeping a roof over her children’s heads. The possibility that she couldn’t do both was excruciating.

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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

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

It's really hard to talk about...

"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

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.

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Oscar Riaz

Housing is health care

John Sales

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

The Chocolate Affair is back!

Anthony Stone

Thanks for Giving

Jimmy Tyson

Linda Mason

Homeless Persons' Memorial Day 2021

"Angels Among Us"

Walt Mell

Charles Johnson

There's more to health care than, well, health care...

Meet a fighter and a winner

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

COVID-19 Testing at Health Care for the Homeless

Thomas Riddle

We Need a Lot of Healing

Julia O'Connor

We are a Mirror of Love

Trust Tierra: Our clients do

Past Due

Armstead Hetherington

We Are All Just Human

Donnell Gamble

Purchase your Chocolate Affair ticket today!

Woodrow McCoy

Get Loud at Lobby Day 2020

Albert Miller

Lucia

Jeff Garrett

This V-Day is Vaccine Day!

Carlton Smith

Home is just the beginning

Ray Fitzberger

How to Properly Wear a Face Mask

“Mommy, are we going to be here past tomorrow?”

It's really hard to talk about...

Ben And Mary