Black history at Community of Hope isn’t something visited once a year. It’s embedded in how we serve, how we grow, and how we invest in our people. It lives in the stories of staff whose work and leadership have shaped the organization over time. One of those stories belongs to Candice Jones – our longest-serving Black staff member.
For nearly two decades, Candice has grown alongside Community of Hope.
She joined when, at a time when the organization included just one health center—Marie Reed Health Center—and paper charts were still the norm. Candice began her journey as a Medical Assistant, stepping into the organization just as we began to dream about expanding across Washington, DC.
This June will mark Candice’s 19th year at Community of Hope.
In those early years, Candice supported the transition to the electronic medical record system, which was a significant shift in how care was delivered. She also witnessed Community of Hope evolve from individual programs into a more connected system of care.
When asked how has the organization evolved over the years, she replied “overall watching them grow and expand, watching how Community of Hope’s services became like healing the whole person as a whole offering wraparound services where it was a one-stop shop for people.”
And as the organization expanded, Candice expanded too.
After returning from maternity leave, she felt ready for something new. She knew she wanted to grow beyond clinical work and explore a different path. She transitioned into a medical records role, then later stepped into an entry-level position on the Talent Management team. That opportunity paved the way to her current role as Senior Employee Relations Specialist.
Today, Candice works in employee relations, supporting staff and leadership in maintaining a healthy, respectful workplace culture. Her approach is rooted in empathy and accountability.
“For me, it’s about finding a way to keep the human in human resources,” she says.
Her work may happen behind the scenes, but its impact is felt across the organization. A strong internal culture allows Community of Hope to better serve families across the District—and Candice plays an important role in sustaining that culture (check out our culture statements here).
Her story reflects for than tenure, but opportunity and the power of creating space for people to grow. It strengthens our workforce, reflects the communities we serve, and creates pathways for future leaders within our organization.
This month, we proudly honor Candice — her dedication, leadership, the meaningful impact, and the Black history she continues to make at Community of Hope!
