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.

When Kimberly talks about her health today, her face lights up. She feels stronger, more confident, and in control. After years of struggling with diabetes, she now eats better, has more energy, and her blood sugar is in a healthier range. “If you want to live a longer life, you have to take care of yourself,” she said. 

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. 

This month Community of Hope recognized our 45 year anniversary! Forty-five years ago, on September 12, 1980, Community of Hope was signed into existence. What began with a single housing site and a small health clinic at 1417 Belmont Street in Columbia Heights has grown into a support system for thousands of families across Washington, DC. 

For years, Ms. Gwen prayed for something many of us might take for granted — a full smile. While she had a partial smile with her top teeth, she couldn’t complete it with bottom teeth because dentures were far too expensive.

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. 

For over 13 years, Darene has called the Bellevue community ”home.” Just a short walk away she found a place that would become her emotional anchor: the Bellevue Family Success Center at Community of Hope. Here she found a support system that carried her through some of life’s toughest chapters.