At the very end of March 2020, I started a new full-time role as a Family Support Worker at Mary's Center, just as the realities of this global pandemic were beginning to hit us. I started training for a home visiting job amidst our growing awareness of the reality that I was unlikely to meet the participants I would eventually be assigned in person anytime soon. My job is to connect with prenatal and new mothers with resources around the city and support them in supporting the development of their children. 

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the extreme healthcare inequities families throughout DC and in its surrounding areas continue to experience and the need for safe spaces that offer accessible, quality primary care.

Mary's Center is one of the largest federally-qualified community health centers in the DC metropolitan area and we have been on the front lines of this crisis. We are at the forefront of testing, tracking, and recovery efforts for over 60,000 individuals in the region. From providing access to care to connecting families to vital social support -- like the program I work for with new moms and many more housed within Mary's Center -- we aspire to be a beacon of hope for our participants. 

The wounds inflicted on our community's livelihood will be felt for many years to come. As the region starts to recover, help us ensure that the accessible, affordable healthcare, mental health services, education, and social services we provide remain a reality for our participants. 

PLEASE donate today. Any amount, as you can see, can go towards a community member's care. We all deserve quality healthcare.