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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My past is not my future

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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"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

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

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

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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From our hearts to yours - thank you!

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

Kara White , Behavioral Health Therapist

Statistics

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

Meant to Do Great Things

“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

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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Having a home helps a lot...

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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"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

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

You make magic happen!

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

Armstead Hetherington

At Health Care for the Homeless, Armstead Hetherington was a bit of a celebrity. On any given day, you’d find him chatting or laughing with staff and clients or participating in one of several advocacy groups. His big smile and bright eyes make him a draw in any crowd. For years, Armstead shied away from being in the spotlight because he was missing most of his teeth.

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

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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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

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

Get fired up for Lobby Day 2019

"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

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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The culture makes all the difference here

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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"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

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

The Chocolate Affair is back in person!

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.

“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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Roses are red, violets are blue...

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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“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

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

We are a Mirror of Love

"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

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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Seeing homelessness is different than talking about it

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

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.

I am no more or no different than you

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

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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Getting Charles Back

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

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

Here's how we're meeting this goal

Art as Advocacy

"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

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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Four Ten Lofts | Baltimore Needs More Housing

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

Client , during a telehealth phone visit

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.

See Why We're Staying Open

"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

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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The Chocolate Affair is back!

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 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

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

You Zoomed into our hearts!

"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

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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Oscar Riaz

Kaelah Jordan

John Sales

From our hearts to yours - thank you!

Meet a fighter and a winner

Ray Fitzberger

Having a home helps a lot...

Our pediatrics team is on the move

You make magic happen!

Armstead Hetherington

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

We're not so different, you and I

Get fired up for Lobby Day 2019

Jimmy Tyson

The culture makes all the difference here

Albert Miller

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

Roses are red, violets are blue...

Anthony Griffin

We are a Mirror of Love

Stephen Davidson

Seeing homelessness is different than talking about it

Thomas Riddle

I am no more or no different than you

Kevin Moore

Linda Mason

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

Art as Advocacy

Nevaeh

Four Ten Lofts | Baltimore Needs More Housing

Ben And Mary

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

See Why We're Staying Open

Damien Haussling

The Chocolate Affair is back!

Carlton Smith

You Zoomed into our hearts!

Jeff Garrett