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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TODAY - Musical offering for Health Care for the Homeless Community

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.

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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

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.

Homeless Persons' Memorial Day 2021

"Angels Among Us"

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

Deborah Hart

Deborah is a US Army veteran, Bingo lover and lifelong volunteer.

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Taking Care: Portraits from Baltimore

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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"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

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!

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

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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From our hearts to yours - thank you!

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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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

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.

COVID-19 Testing at Health Care for the Homeless

"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

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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The culture makes all the difference here

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.

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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

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

Here's how we're meeting this goal

My past is not my future

"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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It's really hard to talk about...

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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“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

Statistics

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

THANK YOU for making this an unforgettable #GivingTuesday

"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

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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Our very own Nilesh Kalyanaraman discusses safe consumption sites

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.

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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

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

Seeing homelessness is different than talking about it

"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

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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I am no more or no different than 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."

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"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

Statistics

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

Getting Charles Back

“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

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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Get fired up for Lobby Day 2019

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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"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

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

We Need a Lot of Healing

"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

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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Meant to Do Great Things

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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"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

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

This V-Day is Vaccine Day!

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

Client , during a telehealth phone visit

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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Housing is 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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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

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

Purchase your Chocolate Affair ticket today!

"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

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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Oscar Riaz

Nevaeh

Homeless Persons' Memorial Day 2021

"Angels Among Us"

Deborah Hart

Julia O'Connor

The Chocolate Affair is back!

Woodrow McCoy

From our hearts to yours - thank you!

Kassie Carter

COVID-19 Testing at Health Care for the Homeless

Mary Beth

The culture makes all the difference here

Our pediatrics team is on the move

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

Albert Miller

It's really hard to talk about...

Thomas Riddle

Jeff Garrett

Our very own Nilesh Kalyanaraman discusses safe consumption sites

We're not so different, you and I

Seeing homelessness is different than talking about it

Lucia

I am no more or no different than you

Walt Mell

Carlton Smith

Get fired up for Lobby Day 2019

Stephen Davidson

We Need a Lot of Healing

Jimmy Tyson

Anthony Stone

This V-Day is Vaccine Day!

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

Ben And Mary

Housing is health care

Meet a fighter and a winner

Purchase your Chocolate Affair ticket today!

Ray Fitzberger