Charitable Giving 11.30 - Flipbook - Page 1
16 The Baltimore Sun | Sunday, November 30, 2025 *
ADVERTISEMENT
A Circle of Love and Support
Helping Up Mission
chapel singing their hearts out.
It’s unbelievable,” Rogers says. “I’m
literally witnessing God’s grace.”
The holiday season is a great
opportunity to check out HUM
and find ways for you to help, says
Rogers, who notes that no donation
is too small, and even volunteering
for an hour makes a difference.
“Also, HUM is a local organization,
so if you want to contribute to
hope and healing to your fellow
Baltimore citizens, this is the right
place. Beyond being a mother and
grandmother, I see working here as
one of greatest honors of my life. “I
really feel like I have been given the
opportunity to have a front row seat
into God’s grace and mercy.”
A
s a retired oncology nurse,
Lisa Rogers knows how compassion
and love can help lift someone
in need’s spirits. She takes that
approach to her many volunteering
endeavors, including her tireless
work as a volunteer at Helping Up
Mission (HUM, helpingupmission.
org), a Faith-based recovery ministry
for those impacted by homelessness
and addiction in Baltimore.
Several years ago, Rogers and a
group of women she has known for
years, including her sister, best friend
from college and neighbors, formed
the Gathering Point Giving Circle to
help make meaningful change
in Baltimore.
“Those in the Giving Circle wanted to
work together and do good. We sat
at my picnic table at my house, and
cried and prayed, and decided that
we wanted to help women, children
and families in crisis in the Baltimore
area, so we formed a 501(c)(3)
organization with a focus” she shares.
She says that the group started
working with HUM in 2019 when
HUM’s new Women’s Program was
housed in a small building next to
St. Frances Academy on East Chase
Street. “We wanted to be the fun
aunts who bring birthday gifts and
enrichment activities for the women
and held cookouts at the patio.”
When HUM expanded into its new
space on East Baltimore Street and
opened the Center for Women &
Children, the Giving Circle continued
its work. “Two years ago, we found
that the women at HUM wanted to
serve others as well. So, six times
a year, they can lend a hand by
painting coffee mugs for those in
a cancer support group, fill 1,200
Easter baskets for St. Vincent’s Easter
Egg Hunt or make blankets for the
Ronald McDonald House next door.
It gives them purpose and a way
to give back. They love it, and say
that when they graduate, they are
going to continue to serve, which is
amazing,” Rogers says.
She adds that each September, in
honor of National Recovery Month,
the Gathering Point Giving Circle
hosts a party with a red carpet in the
chapel, catered seated dinner, live
music and the women don dresses
donated by the community. “We
want them to feel celebrated, loved
and seen, celebrate their strength
and share how many days they have
been sober or clean,” says Rogers.
“When the women graduate, they
get a bracelet... with a word on it that
we’ve prayed over, and they get a
note with Scripture.”
A yearlong spiritual recovery
program is not easy, so Rogers and
the Giving Circle also aim to host
uplifting events for the women to
enjoy. Twice a month on Fridays,
Lisa and Gwen Ramos of HUM host
“Cuppa Tea,” complete with linens,
teacups, crumpets, soft lighting and
music to provide relaxation at the
end of the week.
“With the opioid crisis in Baltimore,
people are looking for places
that provide heart and hope, and
to be able to witness hope and
transformation at Helping Up is
such a privilege. We have new
women come in who aren’t talking
to anyone at first. Then, they come
down to the store and pick out some
pretty outfits, and start interacting.
Suddenly, you will see them at the
Since 1885, Helping Up Mission
has impacted the lives of those
experiencing homelessness,
poverty, and addiction in Baltimore
by providing individual care
that addresses their physical,
psychological, social, and spiritual
needs. Its 24-hour Hotline for Help
Now, 410-929-6999, is available for
people who need help. For more
information, visit
HelpingUpMission.org/get-help.
To support Helping Up Mission
this holiday season, visit
HelpingUpMission.org/support.
Provided by Helping Up Mission.
This paid post is produced by Helping Up Mission.
The newsrooms or editorial departments of The
Baltimore Sun are not involved in the production
of this content.
