How can I help?
Julia Felton gives a window into her work at the front desk.
Q: What do you do at Health Care for the Homeless?
As a Client Access Associate, my job is to find out what people need, register them and direct them to care. We see 100 to 200 clients on a normal day at the downtown clinic. I also help set the tone. If I came to an organization and I was ignored or disrespected, I wouldn’t come back. I have the chance to make sure clients have a healthy experience.
Q: What does it take to be successful at your job?
Compassion. Empathy. I’m motivated by the people we serve. I’ve been in a situation where my children and I have been homeless. I was never on the street, but I can relate. I want to see people become housed, healthy and mentally stable. I look forward to clients who come back and say, “You helped me a lot,” or “This is a better day.”
Q: What is rewarding about your job?
People come in feeling hopeless, helpless and emotionally distraught. I try to stay calm and build a good rapport. There was a client who used to yell at me every morning, and I’d just say “Hello.” Then one day he said “Good morning” instead. I was ecstatic! Later, he told me that he lost his housing after he got hurt and couldn’t play football anymore. He went from a man who used to yell at me to a man who wanted to sit and have a conversation. It was very touching.
Interested in joining a team that values dignity and authenticity?
Look at open positions here.
More Recent News
Earlier this year, the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Bureau of Primary Health Care rolled out 2026 Community Health Quality Recognition Badges. Health Care for the Homeless received four badges
Preparing for reentry starts before release. Discover how Health Care for the Homeless staff are connecting with people behind prison walls, offering support and linking them to resources that can help make the transition home a little easier.
Major changes to Medicaid are coming, and Maryland estimates 175,000 people could lose their health coverage. For people experiencing homelessness, navigating new requirements and maintaining coverage can be especially hard. We talked with Nia Ballard of HealthCare Access Maryland (HCAM) about what’s changing, what she’s hearing from people across Maryland and why keeping people connected to health care matters.
Spend the day with our Fallsway Dental Team and get a behind-the-scenes look at a busy day of cleanings, fillings, dentures and everything in between. Meet the dedicated staff helping clients access the treatment they need while building lasting relationships and healthier smiles.