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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Sojourner Place at Argyle Avenue—Welcome home

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

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

Past Due

“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

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?"

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Adapting Quickly to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

Vanessa found her smile again

Vanessa has the kind of smile that lights up a room. But those perfect teeth, and the joy behind them, once seemed out of reach.

“I never thought I’d be able to have teeth,” she said, fighting back tears. “I thought I would never smile again.”

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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

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

Four Ten Lofts | Baltimore Needs More Housing

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

Kara White , Behavioral Health Therapist

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.”

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Thanks for Giving

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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"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

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

My past is not my future

"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

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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COVID-19 Testing at Health Care for the Homeless

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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"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

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.

A Note of Gratitude

"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

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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Get Loud at Lobby Day 2020

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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"We are…No different from our clients. Present, genuine and thoughtful members within our families and communities. Disruptive innovators."

"We…Don’t give up on anybody. Never settle. Create opportunities toward wholeness."

Health Care for the Homeless staff

Statistics

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

Here's how we're meeting this goal

Getting Charles Back

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!

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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We Are All Just Human

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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"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.

Art as Advocacy

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

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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We are a Mirror of Love

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!'"

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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

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

Housing is health care

"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

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.

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

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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"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

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

You Zoomed into our hearts!

“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

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.

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There's PUMPKIN special about YOU!

“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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"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

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.

From our hearts to yours - thank 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

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.

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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

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

The Chocolate Affair is back in person!

"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

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.

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Oscar Riaz

Sojourner Place at Argyle Avenue—Welcome home

Lucia

Past Due

Kaelah Jordan

Adapting Quickly to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

Vanessa found her smile again

Four Ten Lofts | Baltimore Needs More Housing

Stephen Davidson

Thanks for Giving

Thomas Riddle

Trust Tierra: Our clients do

COVID-19 Testing at Health Care for the Homeless

Linda Mason

Ray Fitzberger

Get Loud at Lobby Day 2020

Jeff Garrett

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

Ben And Mary

We Are All Just Human

Woodrow McCoy

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

Art as Advocacy

Charles Johnson

We are a Mirror of Love

Anthony Griffin

Housing is health care

Kevin Moore

Donnell Gamble

You Zoomed into our hearts!

Melvin Jones

There's PUMPKIN special about YOU!

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

From our hearts to yours - thank you!

Mary Beth

Homeless Persons' Memorial Day 2021

"Angels Among Us"

Walt Mell

Kassie Carter