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When you hear the word homelessness, what image comes to mind?

In the image above, the answer could be either of them or both. For many people, it’s someone sleeping on a park bench, standing at a busy intersection holding a sign, or pushing a shopping cart filled with belongings.

The reality is much different.

Homelessness often looks like the cashier who helped you at the grocery store. It may be the coworker who never mentions they’re sleeping in a motel. It could be the parent sitting next to you at a school event, quietly worrying about where their family will stay next month.

Most people experiencing homelessness don’t fit the stereotype.

In fact, many adults experiencing homelessness are working. Others have recently lost employment, escaped domestic violence, experienced a medical emergency, or simply found themselves unable to keep up with rising housing costs. For many, homelessness isn’t caused by one catastrophic event; it’s the result of a series of financial setbacks that gradually become impossible to overcome.

Today’s housing crisis has made that reality even more common.

Across the country, homelessness has reached historic levels. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), more than 770,000 people experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024, the highest number ever recorded. Rising housing costs, inflation, and a shortage of affordable housing continue to push more individuals and families into housing instability.

Here in Harford County, we see these realities every day.

Many of the adults who come to Harford Family House never imagined they would need emergency shelter or supportive housing. They aren’t defined by their circumstances; they’re parents, veterans, young adults, seniors, caregivers, and hardworking neighbors who experienced a crisis they couldn’t overcome on their own.

Sometimes it’s a rent increase.

Sometimes it’s the loss of a job.

Sometimes it’s an illness, an unexpected car repair, or rising utility bills that leave no room in the household budget.

When housing costs continue to outpace wages, it doesn’t take much for stability to disappear.

The good news is that homelessness doesn’t have to become a permanent condition.

With safe shelter, individualized case management, employment assistance, financial coaching, and permanent housing solutions, adults can rebuild their lives and regain independence. At Harford Family House, we see these success stories every day. When someone has a safe place to sleep and a team of people walking alongside them, hope becomes possible again.

The next time you hear the word homelessness, remember this:

It doesn’t always look the way you think.

It often looks just like the people you pass every day.

And with the support of a caring community, those same neighbors can find stability, independence, and a place to call home.

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Sources

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress: Part 1 – Point-in-Time Estimates of Homelessness. December 2024.
• National Alliance to End Homelessness. HUD Releases 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report. December 27, 2024.

At Harford Family House, growth is never about buildings alone; it’s about people. We are proud to share an important step forward in how we serve families and individuals experiencing homelessness in Harford County.

A Strategic Move with Greater Impact

We recently relocated our administrative team to new offices in Havre de Grace. This move allows us to reimagine how our existing spaces can best support families in need. The apartments in Aberdeen that once housed our office staff will now be converted into short-term housing units for families experiencing homelessness. This is a critical and much-needed resource in our community.

For too long, there has been a gap in Harford County in short-term housing options for families. This transition helps close that gap and ensures that more parents and children have access to safe, stable housing during moments of crisis.

Strengthening the Continuum of Care

With this expansion, Harford Family House now offers a more complete continuum of care for families in crisis, including:

• Emergency Shelter
• Short-Term Housing
• Transitional Housing
• Permanent Supportive Housing
• Ready by 21 (for young adults transitioning from foster care)
• Aftercare services

Together, these programs ensure that families are not only sheltered in moments of crisis but also supported on their path toward long-term stability and independence.

Serving Harford County, Together

Today, we are proud to have offices in Aberdeen, Belcamp, and Havre de Grace, positioning our team closer to the communities we serve and strengthening our ability to respond to growing needs across the county.

Those needs are real and rising. Homelessness has increased in 28 states nationwide, including Maryland, which experienced the third-largest percentage increase in the country, rising 17% in just one year. On any given night, 22 out of every 10,000 people in America are experiencing homelessness. What we see here in Harford County reflects a broader national crisis.

Looking Ahead

This move is more than a change of address; it’s a commitment to meeting families where they are, expanding access to housing, and responding proactively to a growing crisis. As needs continue to rise, Harford Family House remains dedicated to evolving, expanding, and strengthening our services so that no family has to face homelessness alone.

Thank you to our supporters, partners, and community members who make this work possible. Together, we are building pathways out of homelessness and toward hope.

When Routine Pauses: Understanding the Summer Gap for Families in Need

As summer arrives and school doors close for the season, many children across our community look forward to longer days, outdoor play, and a break from routine. But for families facing housing instability and financial hardship, summer can also bring added stress, especially when the reliable structure of school, including daily meals and support services, is no longer available.

At Harford Family House, we see firsthand how the end of the school year can shift the balance for families working hard to stay stable. For many children, school is more than an education; it is a source of consistent nutrition, safety, social connection and emotional support. When that structure disappears for the summer months, families often feel the strain in new and challenging ways.

One of the most immediate concerns is nutritional health. School breakfast and lunch programs play a critical role in ensuring children receive balanced meals during the week. When those meals are no longer available, families must stretch already-limited resources further. This can lead to increased food insecurity and added stress at a time when children need stable nutrition to grow, learn, and thrive.

Just as important is the impact on mental health. The transition from a structured school environment to unstructured summer days can be difficult for many children, especially those navigating housing instability or other life challenges. Routine, consistency, and access to supportive adults are essential protective factors for emotional well-being. Without them, anxiety, isolation, and behavioral stress can increase.

This is why our work continues year-round. At Harford Family House, we remain committed to supporting both the physical and emotional needs of the families we serve. Through stable housing, access to supportive services, and community partnerships, we strive to ensure that children and parents alike have the tools they need to remain healthy, connected, and hopeful no matter the season.

Summer also provides an opportunity for our community to come together in new ways. Whether through food donations, volunteer support, or simply staying engaged with the needs around us, every act of kindness helps bridge the gap for families during these critical months.

As we move through the summer, we are reminded that stability is not seasonal, nor is the need for compassion. Together, we can help ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals, emotional support, and the sense of security they need to fully enjoy the summer months.

With gratitude and warm wishes,

Robin Tomechko, CEO
Sandra Osborn, Board Chair

Summer is often thought of as a time of slowing down, but at Harford Family House, it is a season of steady progress, meaningful change, and important preparation for the months ahead. As we move through June, we are excited to share several updates that reflect both our ongoing growth and our deep commitment to serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Harford County.

One of the most visible changes underway is our administrative transition to our new offices in Havre de Grace. This move represents more than a change of address. It reflects our continued evolution as an organization and our commitment to creating efficient, welcoming spaces that support both our staff and our mission. While packing boxes and coordinating logistics may not always be glamorous, they are essential behind-the-scenes efforts that enable us to serve our clients with excellence every day.

In addition to the planned expansion of our emergency shelter in Belcamp, which will include four apartment-style units to serve four families and add eight additional beds for women, we are expanding our short-term housing in Aberdeen to include six apartments that will house up to 10 families experiencing crisis.

Beyond immediate operations, we are also focused on the future. In addition to the planned expansion of our emergency shelter in Belcamp, which will include four apartment-style units to serve four families and add eight additional beds for women, we are expanding our short-term housing in Aberdeen to include six apartments that will house up to 10 families experiencing crisis. Together, these developments mark significant milestones in our organization’s history and represent a major step forward in our ability to respond to the growing needs of families experiencing homelessness. These efforts will allow us to provide safer, more supportive housing options and reach families at critical moments when stability matters most.

Alongside these developments, we continue to strengthen the systems and partnerships that make our work possible. Growth is not only about buildings or bed counts, but it is also about capacity, coordination and ensuring that every person who comes through our doors has access to the support they need to move forward.

As we reflect on this season of change, we are reminded that progress is rarely a single moment. It is a series of steps; some large, some small, that together create lasting impact. Each move, each expansion, and each improvement brings us closer to a community where everyone has a safe place to call home.

We are grateful to our staff, volunteers, donors, and partners who make this growth possible. Your support allows us not only to adapt to change but to embrace it as an opportunity to better serve those who depend on us.

Each May, National Mental Health Awareness Month invites us to reflect on the importance of mental well-being and the role we all play in fostering healthier, more compassionate communities. At Harford Family House, this moment of reflection is deeply personal because mental health is inseparable from the work of ending homelessness.

We know that housing instability often goes hand in hand with emotional and psychological stress. For many of the individuals and families we serve, mental health challenges are part of their daily reality, sometimes long before they arrive at our doors, and often intensified by the trauma of housing loss. Addressing these challenges is not optional; it is essential to creating pathways toward lasting stability.

The data underscores what we see every day: mental health conditions affect nearly one in four adults nationwide, and individuals experiencing homelessness face disproportionately higher rates. Yet behind every statistic is a human story, someone striving for safety, dignity, and hope.

That is why our approach extends beyond shelter alone. We are committed to creating environments where people feel supported, understood, and empowered to heal. When mental health care, housing resources, and community compassion come together, real transformation becomes possible.

This month, we recommit ourselves to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and advocating for systems that recognize mental health as a cornerstone of stability. We invite you to stand with us by listening, learning, and helping build a community where everyone has the opportunity to heal and thrive.

With gratitude and warm wishes,

Robin Tomechko, CEO
Sandra Osborn, Board Chair

Why Healing Must Be Part of the Housing Solution

Each May, communities across the country observe National Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to elevate conversations around mental well-being, challenge stigma, and reaffirm that mental health is an essential part of overall health. At Harford Family House, this observance closely aligns with our mission because homelessness and mental health can be deeply interconnected.

When people think about ending homelessness, the focus is often on tangible needs such as shelter, food, and safety. While these are critical, they represent only part of the solution. For many individuals and families experiencing housing instability, mental health challenges are not secondary concerns; they are central to the path toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

The Reality Behind the Statistics

Mental health conditions affect millions of people across the United States. In 2022, an estimated 23.1% of U.S. adults, more than 59 million people, were living with a mental illness, ranging from mild to severe (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2024). Despite how common these conditions are, access to care remains limited. Only about half of adults with a mental illness received mental health treatment in the previous year (NIMH, 2024).

For individuals experiencing homelessness, the prevalence of mental health challenges is significantly higher. Research indicates that approximately 67% of people currently experiencing homelessness have a mental health disorder, and up to 77% will experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2023; National Coalition for the Homeless, 2023). These figures highlight the compounded barriers faced by people navigating housing instability.

Behind every statistic is a human story: a parent striving to remain strong for their children, a veteran coping with trauma, or an individual managing anxiety or depression while searching for stability.

Why Mental Health Is Key to Housing Stability

Mental health challenges can be both a cause and a consequence of homelessness. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and untreated mental illness can make it difficult to secure or maintain employment, manage finances, or navigate housing systems. At the same time, the stress, uncertainty, and trauma associated with homelessness can exacerbate existing mental health conditions or create new ones.

This cycle underscores the importance of integrated, trauma-informed approaches to addressing homelessness. Stable housing provides a foundation, but lasting change requires access to behavioral health care, supportive services, and compassionate community connections. Without these supports, individuals are more likely to remain trapped in cycles of instability.

What We See at Harford Family House

At Harford Family House, we see daily how mental health and housing stability are deeply intertwined. When residents receive support that addresses both their physical and emotional needs, they are better positioned to rebuild their lives. Children feel safe enough to focus on school, parents regain confidence and resilience, and individuals begin to envision a future beyond crisis.

By fostering environments rooted in dignity, understanding, and care, we help residents move from survival to stability and ultimately toward independence.

Moving from Awareness to Action

Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder that awareness alone is not enough. Meaningful progress requires action. We all have a role to play by:

• Speaking openly and compassionately about mental health
• Supporting organizations that provide housing and behavioral health services
• Advocating for policies that expand access to mental health care
• Challenging stigma and encouraging help-seeking behaviors

Together, we can help ensure that healing is not a privilege, but a possibility for everyone.

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Harford Family House Welcomes Kathy Walsh as Chief Advancement Officer

[Aberdeen, MD] (April 17, 2026)—Harford Family House, the largest provider of shelter and support for families and individuals experiencing homelessness in Harford County, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kathy Walsh as its new Chief Advancement Officer. As a key member of the leadership team, Walsh will leverage her extensive experience in marketing, advancement and resource development to support the nonprofit’s expansion plans.

Walsh most recently served as Chief Advancement Officer at The John Carroll School, where she led comprehensive fundraising, communications and engagement strategies. Previous professional experience includes serving as Director of Marketing at Fallston Group, LLC, and as Owner and President of Jigsaw Marketing Solutions. Throughout her career, Walsh has demonstrated a strong commitment to mission-driven work and building meaningful community partnerships.

Walsh says, “After spending nearly 15 years supporting Harford Family House as both a consultant and volunteer, I am looking forward to the opportunity to dedicate my efforts full-time to advance this highly respected Harford County nonprofit that provides vital services to those experiencing homelessness, including individuals, families and youth aging out of foster care.”

A resident of Bel Air, Maryland, Walsh lives with her husband and two daughters. She is a graduate of the Catholic High School of Baltimore, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Loyola College, and earned a Master of Science in Marketing from Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business.

Walsh is also deeply engaged in the local community, serving on the Harford County Public Library Foundation Board and on the Community Foundation of Harford County’s marketing committee. She is also a RYT-200 Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher. Her professional excellence has been recognized through numerous honors, including the ATHENA Leadership Award, the Daily Record Top 100 Women Award, the Mayor’s Business Recognition Award, and an award from the American Marketing Association.

In her new role, Walsh will lead Harford Family House’s advancement efforts, including fundraising, marketing and community engagement, to further the organization’s mission of helping families and individuals experiencing homelessness achieve independence and stability.

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For further information, contact Paul Beaulieu, Director of Marketing & Communications at pbeaulieu@harfordfamilyhouse.org

About Harford Family House (http://www.harfordfamilyhouse.org/)

HFH is the largest provider of shelter and support for families and individuals experiencing homelessness in Harford County. HFH has been providing housing, support, and resources to those who have been experiencing homelessness since 1989. Over the years, HFH has helped more than 2,000 people in more than 700 families, thanks to dedicated board members, professional staff, volunteers, churches, civic agencies, donors, business leaders, and others in our community.

Our Mission: To assist families and individuals experiencing homelessness in Harford County to achieve independence through housing, support, and resources dedicated to improving their financial stability and mental well-being.

www.harfordfamilyhouse.org.

  

April is National Volunteer Month, and as we pause to reflect, we are filled with deep gratitude for the individuals who give their time, talents, and hearts to Harford Family House. Volunteers are essential to it.

Every day, our volunteers help transform compassion into action. Whether they are serving meals, supporting events, organizing donations, lending professional expertise, or simply offering a listening ear, their presence brings dignity, stability, and hope to the residents we serve. For families and individuals navigating homelessness, volunteers are often the first to remind them that their community sees them, values them, and believes in their future.

Our volunteers strengthen our programs and our community. They allow us to stretch resources further, expand opportunities for our residents, and remain responsive to the growing needs in Harford County. Most importantly, they bring humanity to our work. The relationships formed through volunteering create moments of trust, encouragement, and belonging that cannot be measured but are deeply felt.

We are continually inspired by the generosity of our volunteers, many of whom balance busy lives yet still choose to show up for others. Their commitment reminds us that solving homelessness is not something an organization can do alone. It requires a community working together, united by empathy and a shared belief that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

To every volunteer who has walked alongside us this year and over the decades, we thank you. You are the heartbeat of our mission and a powerful force for change. We are honored to serve alongside you and are profoundly grateful for all that you do.

With gratitude and warm wishes,

Robin Tomechko, CEO
Sandra Osborn, Board Chair

April Is National Volunteer Month: The Heart of Our Mission

April is National Volunteer Month, a time to pause and recognize the extraordinary individuals who give their time, talents, and compassion to support Harford Family House and the families we serve. Volunteers are not simply helpers behind the scenes; they are a vital part of our mission and an essential extension of our work in the community.

Every day, volunteers help create a welcoming, stable, and supportive environment for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Whether preparing meals, organizing donations, supporting special events, or offering professional expertise, their presence allows us to serve more people with dignity and care. Their commitment ensures that our programs remain strong, responsive, and rooted in compassion.

Volunteers also bring something invaluable that cannot be measured in numbers alone: human connection. For many residents, a volunteer’s kindness, conversation, or encouragement can be just as impactful as the services we provide. These moments of connection remind our residents that they are seen, supported, and not alone on their journey to wholeness.

In addition to strengthening our programs, volunteers serve as ambassadors for our mission. They carry our story into the broader community, into workplaces, neighborhoods, faith groups, and social circles. This helps to raise awareness and inspires others to get involved. Through their service, they build bridges between Harford Family House and the community we are proud to serve.

Most importantly, our volunteers believe in the power of hope and the possibility of change. Their willingness to give their time is a powerful reflection of that belief and a testament to the strength of community-centered solutions to homelessness.

This National Volunteer Month, we extend our deepest gratitude to every volunteer who has stood beside us. Your generosity, compassion, and dedication make our work possible and make Harford County a stronger, more caring place for all.

March is Women’s History Month. It’s a time to celebrate the strength, leadership, and impact of women in every corner of our community. At Harford Family House, women are not only at the heart of the families we serve, but also at the heart of the work we do every day.

From case managers and residential supervisors to administrators, women across our organization bring compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to families working toward stability. Their leadership happens in quiet conversations, detailed planning meetings, late evenings at the shelter, and early mornings preparing for the day ahead. Their work may not always be visible. But its impact is profound.

This month, we are proud to spotlight several of the incredible women who help make our mission possible. We asked them to share what inspires them, what challenges them, and what keeps them hopeful in this work.

What inspired you to work at Harford Family House?

“I went through a divorce years ago, and it was a really difficult time in my life. I was fortunate to have the support of family and friends who helped me get through it. I know that not everyone has that kind of support system, and without it, my situation could have looked very different. That experience gave me a deeper understanding of how quickly life can change and inspired me to be part of an organization that helps people regain stability and hope. Not just with a handout, but with a hand up.” Heather Volk, Asst. Director of Development- Annual Giving

“My work at Harford Family House began my second career of service in a non-profit organization. I worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Baltimore for 30 years and retired as their CEO. Still wanting to contribute more to my local community, I learned about the open position at HFH. I was very aware of those experiencing homelessness in Baltimore City, but had no idea that there were so many families and individuals battling this issue right in my backyard- in Harford County. I met the staff, the board of directors, and many of the families the organization served, and I was hooked! I knew that it was the right fit for me at the perfect time. It truly was another opportunity to help and make a difference to those  less fortunate than me.” Robin Tomechko, CEO

Can you share a moment in your role that reminded you why this work matters?

“Recently, we held a Women’s Pampering Day for the ladies in our program. As part of the event, we had someone who offered hair braiding. One of our residents sat down in her chair and asked to get her hair braided. She mentioned it was the first time in over a year that she was able to do so. Once the hair stylist finished, she got up to look at herself in the mirror and was moved to tears with gratitude. It is the smallest things that we take for granted everyday that can really make someone else’s entire day.” Kailey Jourdan, Community Engagement & Volunteer Manager

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in nonprofit or social services?

“People choose this field because they want to serve.  They’re usually good at it.  But the courage it takes for those in need to ask for help should be a lesson for us.  We need to ask for help sometimes, too!  My advice to a young woman considering a career in the non-profit world is to practice what you preach; when you need help, ask for it.  It is not a sign of weakness, rather quite the opposite! It’s a sign of trust.  We need each other.  Show that to those you serve AND those you work with.” Jenn Greenleaf, Director of Homelessness Operations

What message would you share with women who may be facing difficult circumstances?

“Your circumstance is just a chapter, not a whole book. It’s easy to let a crisis define who you are. You’re still a person with talents, dreams, and a history of overcoming. This is simply a moment of passing through, not where you belong.” Sandra Garvin, Senior Case Manager

What does leadership mean to you in your role?

“I am ultimately responsible for our overall housing and support services provided to our residents in our care. I also manage, lead, and empower staff to ensure that facilities and services are well-maintained and provided in high quality and quantity based on the needs of our community. I am also entrusted with finding and managing the financial resources donated to us to provide the best services and outcomes for the organization and the people we serve. I must lead with integrity,  great vision, empathy, and passion for our mission, staff, and board of directors each and every day.  I consider my leadership here at HFH both an honor and a privilege.” Robin Tomechko, CEO

What motivates you to continue this work even on challenging days?

“What motivates me is seeing the positive impact I have on individuals and families. I was inspired by my grandmother, who served her community selflessly; people still speak about her impact decades later. That legacy of service lives within me, reminding me that this work matters. Even on hard days, I remember that challenges are temporary, but the difference we make can last a lifetime.” Faybienne Lai-Fatt, Manager of Program Operations

“Being able to ensure that a child that might otherwise have been sleeping on a couch, in a car, or on the floor has a safe, secure place to lay their head at night.  While I don’t work directly with the people we serve, I know that the work I do on a daily basis makes it possible for us to provide this security to the next generation.  It takes all of us working together to make the world a better place for all.” Mary Biggs- Director of Resource Development and Operations

Empowering Women, Strengthening Families

March is Women’s History Month. It’s a time to recognize the resilience, leadership, and lasting contributions of women throughout our community and across generations. It is also a meaningful opportunity for us to reflect on the extraordinary strength of the women we serve every day at Harford Family House.

Many of the families who enter our programs are led by women. These are mothers and caregivers who are carrying the weight of uncertainty while working tirelessly to create stability for their children. Their journeys are not defined by hardship, but by courage. They show up each day determined to build something better: securing employment, strengthening their financial skills, continuing their education, and prioritizing their families’ well-being.

We are continually inspired by their perseverance.

Women’s History Month also reminds us that progress is possible when communities invest in opportunity. Safe housing, supportive case management, childcare coordination, employment guidance, and financial literacy support are not just services; they are stepping stones toward independence. When women have access to these resources, families grow stronger, and futures become brighter.

This work would not be possible without the dedicated women who lead and serve within our own organization. From our case managers and shelter staff to our volunteers, board members, and community partners, women play a vital role in advancing our mission. Their compassion, professionalism, and leadership help transform moments of crisis into pathways forward.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding access and opportunity. Particularly as we grow our capacity to serve more women in need through our shelter programs. Every safe bed, every individualized goal plan, and every supportive conversation moves a family closer to long-term stability.

This month, we celebrate the women who have shaped history, and the women who are shaping brighter futures right here in Harford County.

Thank you for standing with us as we empower women, strengthen families, and build a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

With gratitude and warm wishes,

Robin Tomechko, CEO
Sandra Osborn, Board Chair