Guests raised $535,000 to advance the vision of a healthy, housed, and hopeful Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, DC, November 4, 2026 – On October 1, 2026, 332 guests gathered at The National Press Club for Community of Hope’s Night of Hope: Rooted in Community, Love, and Action. Together, sponsors and attendees raised $535,000to advance Community of Hope’s mission to improve health, end homelessness, and partner with communities for a more equitable Washington, DC.
Award-winning journalist and WUSA9 news anchor Lesli Foster served as Director of Ceremonies, guiding the evening with grace and heart. Community of Hope President and CEO Kelly Sweeney McShane, marking her 25th year with the organization, spoke candidly about the tough times facing DC families and reminded guests of the strength of the community they have built together. The event recognized recent board members, Monique Diop and Melissa McGuire, with the 2026 Tom Nees Award for Exceptional Service. Donnatela Douglas, a Community of Hope client and mother, then delivered a funny and touching message about how Community of Hope has supported her family for generations.
During the signature Give Hope Moment, board member L. Dijon Anderson led the room with exuberance, and guests rose to the occasion to secure critical resources for housing, maternal and child health, primary care, and wraparound services.
“Despite my worry about the tough times ahead, my continued optimism is rooted in every one of you,” said Kelly Sweeney McShane, President and CEO. “The times ahead will be tough. But our roots are deep, our community is strong, and, together, we can keep turning hope into action.”
This year’s theme, Rooted in Community, Love, and Action, came to life at the Hope in Action stations. Guests were Rooted in Community as they posed for photos together, Rooted in Love as they wrote encouraging messages that will be shared with Community of Hope families, and Rooted in Action as they wrote postcards to the incoming Mayor and DC Council about their preferred policy priorities.
A special thank you to the sponsors who made the night possible and continue to invest in this important work:
Activators: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Latham & Watkins; McAllister & Quinn; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; VytlOne
Energizers: City First Bank; Labcorp; Lockton Companies; MedStar Family Choice; Sibley Memorial Hospital; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Mobilizers: AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia; BBP & CL Associates; Raj and Ariel De; Health Services for Children with Special Needs; National Cooperative Bank; SB and Company; UnitedHealthcare Community Plan; USI Insurance; Verizon Business
Influencers: Virginia Brooks; Commercial Real Estate Advisors; DC Primary Care Association; Melanie Folstad and Rick McUmber; Collette and Allan Goodman; Horning Management; Hunton Andrews Kurth; Annabelle and Cecil Lockhart; Tom and Sandy McCarthy; Nauticon Office Solutions; Sara and Peter O’Keefe; Pontius Tax Law PLLC; Red River Technology; Visionary Eye Doctors; WC Smith
About Community of Hope
Founded in 1980, the mission of Community of Hope (COH) is to improve health, end homelessness, and partner with communities to make Washington, DC more equitable. We operate three community health centers, a community resource hub, and a Family Success Center. Our health services include medical, dental emotional wellness, and pharmacy services and extensive patient support for about 15,500 patients each year. In August 2026, Community of Hope was recognized for a second time with a Silver Quality Leader award from the Health Resources Services Administration, placing the organization in the top 11-20% of health centers nationwide. We work to end and prevent homelessness by providing housing and supportive services for about 1,650 families and individuals a year. A Family Success Center connects over 500 people a year to resources. Community of Hope is building a strong and sustainable organization that is caring for families, improving lives, and leading change. For more information about Community of Hope, please visit www.communityofhopedc.org.
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