Client storytelling is a staple of the nonprofit business model, ever present in advocacy, clinic tours, fundraising—and news articles like the one you are reading right now.
05.02.19
Paint, sculpture, pastel—you name it. Ron Williams uses them all to express himself and relate to others. “God gave me this talent to help me make it in this world,” he says.
Homelessness nearly ruined his love of art. He had no private place to make art. People stole his work, cheated him and gave him false hope. “It took a lot away from who I am and what my art stands for,” Ron says. “I couldn’t do art for people because I couldn’t tolerate them.”
With the help of a few therapists at Health Care for the Homeless, Ron learned to set healthy boundaries and found the courage to reconnect with people and continue sharing his gift.
One of the ways he does this is through our spring Client Art Show. At his first show, he dropped off an oil painting. The next day, a fellow artist approached Ron with exciting news. “Man, you should have been here. They were going crazy over your painting! Everybody’s looking for you.’”
Now, Ron comes to every art show. He confidently represents his art and talks with folks like you. “When I see my art making somebody happy, that’s when I’m happy,” he says. “And now, art helps me, too. If there’s something I don’t want to talk about, I can do a painting and it starts the conversation.”
And these days, there’s an important part of his healing that Ron can’t wait to talk about.
“I finally have my own house,” he says with a smile. “It’s a blessing to get to turn that key and go into my space. All my clothes are here, my kitchen, my living room, my own studio. Just to be able to say I’m going home… I’m at a loss for words.”
Enjoy Ron’s masterpieces (created in the comfort of his home) and other work from our Client Art Show here.
Client storytelling is a staple of the nonprofit business model, ever present in advocacy, clinic tours, fundraising—and news articles like the one you are reading right now.
The Trans Rights Advocacy Coalition (TRAC) has been the driving force in championing trans rights policy changes in Maryland. Due to stigma and structural discrimination, transgender people—particularly transgender people of color—experience high rates of homelessness. Following the implementation of the Trans Health Equity Act in January, we talked with TRAC leadership about their work and community.
Since starting in January 2022, REI Health Specialist Arie Hayre-Somuah, LMSW, MPH has worked with our clinical teams to identify health disparities and move us closer to health equity. This year, she is turning her focus to the topic of health literacy.
We are delighted to announce the promotion of Hanna Mast from Senior Communications Manager to Director of Communications. Get to know more about her work in the Q&A below!