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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We Are All Just Human

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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"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

Purchase your Chocolate Affair ticket today!

"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

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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Adapting Quickly to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

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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"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.

Getting Charles Back

"The quality team is here for three reasons—safety, effectiveness and efficiency. We’re not the folks providing the care, but we’re here to help those who are."

Tonii Gedin, Chief Quality Officer

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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Past Due

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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“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

Statistics

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

COVID-19 Testing at Health Care for the Homeless

"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

“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 Chocolate Affair is back!

Curtis McLaughlin

An artist, gamer, and movie lover, Curtis McLaughlin has been part of the Health Care for the Homeless Art Group for more than five years.

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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

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

Art as Advocacy

"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

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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I am no more or no different than you

Damien Haussling

Damien was a young father and high school teacher when his wife was killed by a drunk driver. In the wake of the tragedy, Damien experienced further devastating setbacks. He became unemployed and lost his health insurance and his home. Stomach pains led him to Health Care for the Homeless where he was offered the support and care he needed.

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

Client , during a telehealth phone visit

Statistics

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

A special message of thanks.

"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

Larrice Harris

Larrice is a mother, grandmother, teacher, cook and storyteller who was recently featured in our original documentary, “Taking Care: Portraits from Baltimore.”

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This V-Day is Vaccine Day!

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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"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

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

Our very own Nilesh Kalyanaraman discusses safe consumption sites

"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

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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Get Loud at Lobby Day 2020

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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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

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.

Housing is health care

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

Deborah Hart

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

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

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 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

Statistics

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

Home is just the beginning

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

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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We're thankful for YOU!

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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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.

We Need a Lot of Healing

"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

Dental care gave David a chance against cancer

We don’t know what the future holds for David.*

Before he could get his late-stage cancer treated, David’s oncologist told him that his mouth had to be cleared of all infection.

Parita Patel, our Dental Director, did what she could. She conducted an exam and pulled many of his infected teeth. But David needed oral surgery with sedation to safely remove all the damaged teeth.

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THANK YOU for making this an unforgettable #GivingTuesday

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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"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

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

This eight-year-old will inspire you

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

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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Oscar Riaz

We Are All Just Human

Carlton Smith

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

Purchase your Chocolate Affair ticket today!

John Sales

Adapting Quickly to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

Albert Miller

Anthony Griffin

Past Due

Kassie Carter

COVID-19 Testing at Health Care for the Homeless

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

The Chocolate Affair is back!

Curtis McLaughlin

Art as Advocacy

Kevin Moore

I am no more or no different than you

Damien Haussling

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

A special message of thanks.

Larrice Harris

This V-Day is Vaccine Day!

Meet a fighter and a winner

Our very own Nilesh Kalyanaraman discusses safe consumption sites

Mary Beth

Get Loud at Lobby Day 2020

Trust Tierra: Our clients do

Housing is health care

Deborah Hart

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

Walt Mell

Home is just the beginning

Donnell Gamble

We're thankful for YOU!

Stephen Davidson

We Need a Lot of Healing

Dental care gave David a chance against cancer

Ben And Mary

Vanessa found her smile again