For the past eight years, HealthCare Access Maryland (HCAM) has organized an Adopt-a-Family initiative for its staff members to participate in during the holiday season. Staff members at HCAM look forward to this event each year as it is a way to give back to the Baltimore City community and help make the holidays special for families we serve at HCAM.

HCAM’s Care Coordination Program heads this initiative, establishing a “core team” of staff members within the department who volunteer to take the lead and oversee all logistics. Staff members from the Care Coordination Program nominate a family or families they have provided services to during the past year that they feel could benefit from assistance during the holidays. The “core team” decides on which family or families will be a part of the “Adopt-a-Family” initiative. Items that HCAM staff members shop for include household items, gift cards for groceries, baby items, toys and clothes for children, and items for parents.

Several HCAM staff members have been involved yearly in this initiative to give back to the Baltimore City community, noting that it brings them joy to be able to do something special for someone else.

“This annual event of giving is an expression of the love and care we have for the families of Baltimore. I am so proud that we have the trust of the community that allows us to fulfill a Christmas wish. They believe in us, and this is what we do!” -Kimberly Lyles, Sr. Director, Population Health