What began as a celebratory trip quickly became a fight for survival. Ebony planned a weeklong vacation that turned into her being stranded for two months when Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas during her stay in 2019. “I was planning to celebrate a major milestone, but had no clue that a storm was coming,” says Ebony. Once the storm hit, planes were grounded and her savings for the trip quickly dwindled, leaving her stranded physically and financially.  

When the world shut down during COVID, she found herself facing storms she never saw coming. A devoted wife of 30 years, mother of five, and “Yaya” to three grandchildren, she had always been the one holding everyone together. But when her own health and peace of mind began to unravel, she realized it was finally time to take care of herself.

Three years ago, Community of Hope opened our first in-house pharmacy — making it easier for patients to get the medications they need without additional barriers. Since then, the pharmacy has become a trusted part of care, offering convenience, savings, and a team that treats every patient with individualized support. 

For Charles, a proud Ward 8 native, living with high blood pressure once felt overwhelming. “My blood pressure was through the roof,” he recalls. “I was eating okay but not like I should. I wasn’t managing things the way I needed to.

For 18-year-old Tabatha Gore, this August marks a moment she’s worked toward for years: she’s starting her first semester at North Carolina A&T State University. She’s a first-generation college student with  a scholarship from the Pearl and Ivy Foundation (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, DC Chapter). But behind her accomplishment is a powerful story of caring for her mom, her personal determination, and the support of Community of Hope. 

When you meet Jalisa Settles, her warmth and determination shine through instantly. She speaks with the strength of someone who has overcome challenges and is now building a healthier future for her family with the help of Community of Hope’s WIC program.