News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Paul Beaulieu, Director of Marketing & Communications
410-273-6700
pbeaulieu@harfordfamilyhouse.org
Harford Family House to Expand Support for Harford County Families Experiencing Homelessness with $1.25 Million Grant from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos
32 organizations across the U.S. receive a total of $102.5 million from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund to connect families with housing and hope
Aberdeen, MD – (December 3, 2025): Harford Family House, the county’s largest provider of shelter and support services for families in Harford County who are experiencing homelessness, today announced that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos are recognizing the organization with a $1.25 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. This investment is the largest gift in the nonprofit’s history. Harford Family House is part of the eighth annual cohort of organizations across the country receiving funding from the Day 1 Families Fund to deepen their work to help every family have a safe, stable place to call home.
“This funding could not have come at a better time,” said Robin Tomechko, CEO of Harford Family House. “This grant positions us to expand critical support for unhoused families. With this investment and the continued backing of our community, we can turn our vision into a reality. We are honored to be a part of this cohort of organizations working to change lives for families in need.”
Harford Family House will use its Day 1 Families Fund grant to serve even more families experiencing homelessness in Harford County with the goal of ensuring no child in our community sleeps outside. Specifically, Harford Family House plans to use this one-time grant over the next five years to support 16 families each year who are in need of emergency shelter. Additionally, Harford Family House will work with our partners, including the Harford County Public Schools, to identify and provide support to families living in hotels or other temporary accommodations, helping them move on to more permanent housing situations.
Harford Family House was identified to receive this grant by a group of national advisors who are leading advocates and bring expertise on homelessness, housing policy and effective approaches and solutions to family homelessness.
“We are excited that our team’s work is being recognized through this transformational grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund,” said Sandra Osborn, Harford Family House Board Chair. “This achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our community. Addressing the urgent needs of unhoused families in Harford County requires all of us working together. This funding is a leap in the right direction, and continued community contributions of any size will keep us moving toward our ambitious goals.”
Since its inception in 2018, the Day 1 Families Fund has awarded 280 grants totaling more than $850 million to organizations serving families in all 50 states. The Day 1 Families Fund grant recipients have tremendous flexibility to use the funds in the ways that are most impactful in their communities, making the grant a game-changer for organizations on the frontlines of the family homelessness crisis. Recipients will use their funds to support families experiencing homelessness to access critical services, regain stable housing and achieve well-being.
This year, the Fund issued a total of $102.5million in grants to 32 organizations. The full list of awardees is available at https://bezosdayonefund.org/day1familiesfund. Case studies of the impact selected grantees have made with their funds are available at https://www.bezosdayonefund.org/case-studies.
About Harford Family House
Harford Family House (HFH) has been providing housing, support, and resources to families and individuals experiencing homelessness since 1989. HFH has grown to be the largest provider of shelter and support in Harford County and includes Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing and affordable housing. Over the years, HFH has helped more than 2,500 individuals and more than 850 families, thanks to dedicated board members, professional staff, volunteers, churches, civic agencies, donors, business leaders, and others in our community.
About the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund
Through the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos issue annual leadership awards to organizations doing compassionate, needle-moving work to help families experiencing homelessness. For more information, visit www.BezosDayOneFund.org/Day1FamiliesFund.
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