Dear friends,

“We live in a world, which we need to share responsibility for,” Fred Rodgers once said.  “It’s easy to say, ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’

“Then there are those who see the need and respond.  I consider those people my heroes.”  

I do, too.

Often we are not able to heed the calling to serve humanity.  We are asked to see the possibilities – without judgment – in someone who doesn’t look like us, talk like us, or reside in the same zip code, even if they are standing in front of us in rage, tears, or suffering.   This kind of service is not for the faint at heart nor is it ego-driven.   It is a calling to create hope, healing, and transformation even in the midst of our own loss.  

But you heard the cry for help and you responded. I write this open letter to thank all of you for coming forward to support us during these very challenging times.

First, thank you for the introduction

First, allow me to thank mutual friend Lamell McMorris for his simple introduction several years ago at Nu Vegan café between HBP and Hoops For Youth. You took a leap of faith to partner with us. From the very beginning – whether it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, or to teach a class – when we call for support of any sort, you rise to the occasion. 

I think all the way back to 2016 when Hoops for Youth Foundation friend and partner Jim Lyons passed away while playing on the basketball courts for Healthy Babies Project. His memorial scholarship fund has left a legacy that offers young mothers the possibility of a college education.  Dakota, an HBP youth, was the first recipient of that scholarship. Hoops for Youth (HFY) gave her the ability to steer a different path for her future. In 2020, she completed her bachelor’s degree. I am certain Jim Lyons was present, smiling, and beaming with pride during her virtual graduation.  Dakota is an overcomer who now has her college degree and will enter graduate school in fall 2020.  We are so proud of her. (Listen to her testimonial here.)

Week after week, you supported us

From the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, you called to see how you could support our families and the agency. In all honesty, we weren’t even sure what we needed but followed the lead of the mayor.  We asked for personal protective equipment.  Week after week, HFY friends dropped off N-95 masks, face shields, gloves, germicidal wipes, Lysol, and other safety equipment for the staff and families residing at Perennial and Muriel Transitional Houses. You even provided taxi rides for our families when they needed to travel to appointments, helping to keep them COVID-free.  This was a big blessing. To top it off, you provided craft supplies for our residents (paint, canvas, brushes, material, and sewing machines).  And, when one of our young mother’s baby passed from complications, you paid for the funeral service in the midst of all the pain unfolding around us.  

As the marches unfolded in DC and throughout the states, you looked for solutions with our community by providing “The Staircase to Progress,” a virtual workshop series that educated our youth about effective advocacy strategies. You went further by awarding scholarships for 3 of our young peer facilitators to become certified lobbyists so they in turn can be catalysts of change. You’ve helped fifty HBP youth understand the power of the political landscape … how to create and build wealth … articulate their opinions in a way that can be heard by our leaders …

I do not know many who would do this with such pureness of intent. I am deeply grateful for every bit of sunlight you pour into our young families – not because you have to, but rather because you want to.  I am deeply humbled and thank you.

Thank you to so many other partners

I want to acknowledge and thank so many other partners who have demonstrated such loving support.

Thank you to our first food donor, Carrie Marriott, and her circle of friends.  We love you. We are grateful for your circle of friends who stopped by our transitional houses with gift cards for food, clothing, and medicine.

Thank you to Fair Chance for introducing us to Families4Families – and for F4F for delivering food every two weeks and chatting with the girls.

Thank you to Robert Porter for tutoring and for purchasing canvas and paint.

Thank you to Lamell McMorris who put out a request to his friends for support when this pandemic first started and conducted a fundraiser for the agency on his birthday. Your continued support of the agency and of me, is always deeply appreciated.

Thank you to the Whitlow Foundation for dropping off meals for our residents from various restaurants in D.C.

Thank you, Erline Germain, for willingly volunteering to facilitate GED classes.

Thank you, Maryse Bastien, for leading meditation, yoga, and relaxation classes.

Thank you, Deborah Lovett, for dropping off food gift cards in lieu of your birthday.

Thank you to the many churches who donated gift cards.

Thank you, Department of Human Services, for our initial supply of PPEs and for keeping us informed, encouraged, and supported.

Thank you to Mayor Muriel Bowser and her team for your great service in keeping D.C. safe.  If District residents are not safe, it is because we didn’t listen. And while the DMV area re-opens, know that we will heed the call to do so with caution, following the leadership of the mayor and Dr. Nesbitt.  We want all District area families to be safe, healthy, and well.   

Thank you to everyone who prayed for us. We ask that you continue.

Each one of you is a credit to this city in your compassion and support. While “thank you” seems so simple to say, please know that the young mothers and families at Healthy Babies Project join me in extending our overwhelming gratitude to you. You saw a need and you responded.

You are our heroes.

In gratitude,

Regine Elie, Executive Director and the HBP team