On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 144 MVLS volunteers, partners, and friends filled The Factory in West Baltimore for Celebrate Pro Bono 2026. It was a night full of emotion, laughter, and connection, and a chance to honor the people who spent FY26 removing barriers to justice and expanding access to free civil legal help across Maryland.
Those contributions add up. From July 2025 through June 2026, 451 volunteers took a case and gave 11,030 hours of pro bono service, valued at $4.4 million. Celebrate Pro Bono is how we thank them, along with everyone who serves underserved communities on behalf of MVLS.
Honoring Our Law Firms of the Year
This year’s celebration was highlighted by our co-Law Firms of the Year, Miles & Stockbridge and the Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Stephen H. Sachs Pro Bono Program. Chief Justice Matthew Fader reminded the room that every attorney has a moral obligation to take part in pro bono. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and his office show what living up to that obligation looks like.
New Voices at the Podium
Some of our colleagues stepped into new roles this year. Senior Paralegal Novlette Haughton announced the award winners for the first time, and one guest said afterward that she was “born for public speaking.”
Why We Celebrate
This year’s Volunteer of the Year, Kiyanoush Razaghi, Esq., shows what one volunteer can mean to a family. Mr. Razaghi practiced law and advocated for human rights in Iran until persecution by the Islamic Republic regime forced him to leave his home country. After arriving in the United States in 2013, he rebuilt his life. He learned English, studied U.S. law at the University of Baltimore School of Law, and passed the Maryland Bar Examination.
Since joining MVLS in 2024, he has become a steady presence for families on our Judicare panel. In FY26, he accepted 14 cases and gave 295 hours to MVLS clients. One client shared that she was afraid, but he was always there for her. He took the time to talk through possible outcomes and made her feel comfortable. With his help, she obtained full custody of her son and child support.
Meeting Volunteers Where They Are
We meet our clients and partners where they are, and we do the same for our volunteers. That means mentorship, trainings and webinars, networking opportunities, equity and implicit bias training, and the chance to become a Pro Bono Champion. In FY26, 20 volunteer mentors and 22 volunteer trainings helped make that possible.
It also means helping you develop and evolve your why. Why do you care about people who can’t afford representation? Why did you choose this work? Why do you do pro bono, and why do you go above and beyond?
Celebrate Pro Bono is always a good time to reignite that why. And when your pro bono candle needs a little help staying lit, you know who to turn to: MVLS.
Special thanks to LifeBridge Health and The West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation for hosting us at The Factory.
“The growing impact that MVLS has been able to commit to over the past decade is a direct result of your support.”
– Susan Francis, MVLS Executive Director
A Message from our Executive Director
Working on MVLS’ annual report always creates an opportunity to look back at what we’ve accomplished and forward to how those accomplishments will continue to inform and impact our work. Looking at the three clients and programs we’ve highlighted this year is a clear indicator of how MVLS has thoughtfully and intentionally grown our work over the past several decades.
I’m so pleased to share highlights from MVLS’ annual report with you. The stories we share with you this year reflect our commitment to maintaining our mission within our core legal areas and our ability to take on new innovative programs.
The story about our family law client, Tori, and her volunteer attorney, Kiyanoush Razaghi, illustrates the tremendous power imbalance in custody and divorce proceedings, and how they are magnified by the trauma and fear of domestic violence. Finding your voice in judicial proceedings is nearly impossible in the best of circumstances, and facing your abuser in court to keep your child safe is nothing less than terrifying. And yet, Tori and Kiyanoush worked together to ensure that Tori and her child would be safe and give them an opportunity to rebuild their lives together. Tori shared that her MVLS attorney made her feel understood and that everything was going to be okay. And she shared that if she sees Kiyanoush again, she’ll bake him a tres leches cake! MVLS has been providing legal services in family law matters in some form since its inception over 45 years ago. The reality is that we receive calls every single day from parents who need help navigating one of the most important moments of their lives – access to their children. When I joined the MVLS team in 2013, our family law work was already robust and continues to be so today.
Ms. Traynham’s experience with trying to resolve a debt illustrates the challenges that Marylanders are facing with trying to balance limited incomes with higher prices and the all too frequent unchecked actions of creditors. In Ms. Traynham’s case, were it not for her diligent efforts AND the dogged follow-up by an MVLS attorney, she would have a judgement against her, and the creditor would have a clear pathway to garnishing her wages and seizing any assets. In my time at MVLS, I have been able to see the way that we adjust and respond based on the needs of our clients. While MVLS has been providing assistance in consumer matters for a long time, it was just over 10 years ago, that we partnered with the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide day of legal support at the Baltimore City District Court Affidavit Judgement Docket. This initiative was created because it was discovered that there was significant fraud being perpetuated by creditors who were filing insufficient pleadings. Having attorneys at the court was intended to both provide explanations and options to debtors and to create a check on creditors who were abusing the system. Skip forward to today, and our staff and volunteer attorneys have assisted over 3,600 debtors who arrive at the courthouse on Tuesday mornings generally confused about who is suing them and what the Affidavit Judgement Docket is.
Mr. Harris was able to get help from three of our seven legal issues, two that MVLS has assisted with for decades and most recently through our new Special Education program. He first came to us, like many do, for help with a custody matter. He received help to ensure he could take care of his daughter. At the same time, we removed expungable items from his record (work that we started in 2015 when Maryland law dramatically changed eligibility for record removal, which ultimately led to our Workforce Development Program). And just this past year, Mr. Harris returned to MVLS to obtain much needed help in ensuring his daughter, Farrah, had the best opportunity to thrive in school. MVLS launched our Special Education Program in the fall of 2025, and already we have served 88 families in 18 counties in 14 languages. Our Special Education team matched Mr. Harris with a panel member who advocated for Farrah, identifying that the child had not been timely evaluated and that her father was not receiving sufficient information to advocate successfully for his daughter. Now, Farrah and her father are on a path to best advocate her Farrah’s academic success.
Our commitment to our mission to remove barriers to justice through free civil legal help, community engagement, and advocacy for equitable laws is woven through each of the stories shared above. As is reflected in this year’s annual report numbers, lists, and stories, we move forward our shared commitment to a fair justice system by working together.
“When y’all came through, you came through for me.”
– Mr. Harris, MVLS client
In civil legal services, support sometimes looks like a chain reaction. A father fights tirelessly for his daughter. A community partner refers a family for support. A legal services program screens a new client for other potential legal issues. A father wins the legal right to make the best decisions he can for his daughter. And when he needs assistance advocating for her education, the father returns to an organization he trusts to get the support she needs.
When Mr. Harris walked into the MVLS offices, he said, “It’s good to be back here.”
Mr. Harris was at MVLS to meet with the Special Education Project team for assistance with his daughter’s educational rights. His daughter, Farrah, was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia and has an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Mr. Harris stated that he was frustrated with the special education process because he was unfamiliar with the language and terminology used by the school team. Because of this, he was unsure whether Farrah was receiving the support she needed. Mr. Harris also did not have access to a computer, which prevented him from reviewing her coursework, assessments, or important school documents. Farrah received tutoring assistance from the Dyslexia Tutoring Program, which encouraged him to call MVLS. Mr. Harris spoke with special education attorney Payton Aldridge, who acknowledged the technological barriers and the serious issues Mr. Harris described, and urged him to complete an intake.
But Mr. Harris was no stranger to MVLS. Back in 2020, he called MVLS for help with a serious custody matter. MVLS placed his case with volunteer attorney Jonathan Hoover. Mr. Harris said Mr. Hoover worked wonders on his case and fought until he was finally awarded primary custody. Mr. Harris shared his sentiments about the outcome.
“What makes me happy is I was able to get my daughter back…When y’all came through, you came through for me.”
During the intake process for the custody case, MVLS also screened for other civil legal matters and discovered Mr. Harris may be eligible for assistance with expunging part of his criminal record. Through further work with MVLS, part of Mr. Harris’s criminal record was expunged. MVLS Workforce Development Program Manager Chris Sweeney explains how expungement can help clients build stability while strengthening their ability to navigate other legal challenges, including custody matters.
“MVLS services often come at a crucial time in our clients’ lives, where people are seeking stability and a way forward. Addressing one legal issue can lead to uncovering additional barriers to a person’s stability. If we discover that a client has a criminal record eligible for expungement, stepping in to assist with that issue will have a positive impact on our custody representation. Removing expungable criminal records leads to better employment and housing opportunities, which strengthens a person’s overall stability and ability to provide as a parent.”
That earlier work with MVLS also became important when Mr. Harris returned for help with his daughter’s education.
Child custody can play a major role in special education matters. Without primary or shared legal custody, a parent may lack the authority to make educational decisions for their child. That’s why the Special Education Project’s guidelines require a parent or guardian to have legal custody to be eligible for assistance.
MVLS special education attorney Payton Aldridge explains how these legal requirements can create additional barriers for families advocating for their children’s education.
“It’s a significant barrier for family members who are doing their best to advocate for their student to receive an appropriate education, but who lack the legal authority to make those decisions.”
Because MVLS had already helped Mr. Harris obtain custody, the Special Education Project was able to hit the ground running.
In reviewing Mr. Harris’ daughter’s case, the Special Education Project identified several key legal issues. The school did not provide Mr. Harris with the appropriate documentation regarding Farrah’s IEP or educational progress, which made it difficult for him to exercise his legal right to participate meaningfully in his daughter’s special education matters. Further, while schools are required to conduct evaluations every three years, Farrah’s school had not properly evaluated her in over five years. Without those evaluations, Farrah was never identified as a student with a learning disability, and she did not receive the appropriate services to support her.
The Special Education Project team opened a case for Farrah and assigned it to Marla Migdal, a non-attorney educational consultant focused on specific learning disabilities. Ms. Migdal immediately advocated for new evaluations and the collection of comprehensive data to better understand what services Farrah needs. Ms. Migdal worked collaboratively with the IEP team to get the process started. The team also worked to improve communication with Mr. Harris, so he had more context regarding the special education process. Ms. Migdal’s advocacy with Mr. Harris and his daughter is ongoing, and Farrah will start at a new school this year. Mr. Harris says he is optimistic that Farrah will receive the support she needs, and he can play a larger role in her education.
The throughline in Mr. Harris’s story is his role as an advocate for his daughter in every circumstance. From advocating for her in custody proceedings to advocating for her in the classroom, he was there for every turn. It was not a difficult choice, he stated, but just something he needed to do. But with MVLS’ support, he didn’t have to do it alone.
“I thank the donors who make it possible. I wouldn’t have nothing without my daughter.”
Mr. Harris
MVLS’ holistic legal services ensure that families receive support on every level, helping to address multiple legal problems and overcome systemic barriers. They make outcomes more meaningful and can even help families navigate or prevent future challenges. It means looking beyond the current issue and helping families build a foundation for whatever challenges may come next.
“If they did it to me, how many other people did they do this to?”
– Ms. Traynham, MVLS client
Affordability is becoming further out of reach, and many people are taking on more and more debt just to pay their bills and for basic necessities like groceries. The numbers are shocking, and there are people navigating desperate financial hardship behind those troubling numbers.
Household debt has risen beyond $18 trillion in 2026.1 And in June, credit card debt exceeded $1.25 trillion, with the average American carrying a balance of over $6,000.2 Marylanders have the third highest average credit card balance, as more families are leaning on credit cards to cover rising costs, building a mountain of debt, and many have no way out.3
MVLS assists hundreds of clients every year with breaking the overwhelming debt cycle and putting individuals and families back on a path of financial stabilization. MVLS volunteers and staff attorneys assist Marylanders establish a fresh start through Chapter 7 bankruptcy (most of these clients are suffocating under medical and credit card debt), bankruptcy bypass (targets helping older adults and disabled individuals on fixed incomes get relief from unscrupulous debt collection practices when they are collection proof), and mortgage foreclosure and tax sale foreclosure (where we fight hard to preserve family homes and when we can’t we work with homeowners to exit their properties as humanely as possible).
We also assist debtors every Tuesday morning at the Baltimore City District Court when they show up not knowing who is suing them, why they are being sued, or what is going to happen that day.
MVLS has operated a brief advice and representation clinic at the courthouse for over ten years, where we help defendants who appear without representation against large creditors and debt buyers on Baltimore City’s Affidavit Judgment Docket.
The significant power imbalance of the Affidavit Docket is evident in its attendance. The creditor doesn’t even have to show up in court to prove the debt, as their paper filing is accepted as factual by the court (despite many creditor and debt buyer abuses across the country).
On the other side of the spectrum, many defendants, who are required to be in attendance, appear in court without a clear understanding of why they have been sued, who is suing them, or what legal defenses may be available to them. Many of them have tried to make payment arrangements with the creditor but their calls frequently get ignored. It is an intimidating process and one that feels stacked against the debtor trying to resolve the debt. One client we met in June of this year was Ms. Traynham. She was being sued by Barclays Bank Delaware for an unpaid credit card debt totaling $4,056.74.
Ms. Traynham shared her experience attempting to negotiate a payment plan on her own.
“They did not even want to set up a payment plan; they just wanted the judgment,”
Ms. Traynham shared how she felt when the creditor refused to establish a payment plan and wondered how many other Marylanders had faced similar treatment.
“It made me feel awful when they wanted to put me in a worse situation. If they did it to me, how many other people did they do this to?”
At the clinic, our attorney reviewed the complaint with Ms. Traynham and determined that she had a meritorious defense. Despite the number of times she had tried to reach out to Barclays Bank, the judge refused to grant a postponement, so the MVLS staff attorney filed a Notice of Intent to Defend on her behalf and sought to negotiate a stipulated dismissal, which would allow her to make a payment plan with the creditor without having a judgment entered against her—what she had been trying to accomplish all along.
Despite now having counsel representing her, it required extraordinary efforts to enable Ms. Traynham to repay the debt.
Our staff reached out multiple times to opposing counsel with no response. Only after multiple attempts did they reply, stating that they could not locate the case in their system. Their internal case number was wrong and they couldn’t even confirm that they were suing her. Finally, they provided a phone number for settlement discussions, which our attorney called repeatedly over several weeks leaving multiple voicemails with no response.
It was only when the MVLS attorney went back to the creditor’s attorney and insisted that this issue be escalated because of an upcoming July court date, that negotiations finally occurred. Once Ms. Traynham and the creditor reached a settlement agreement, she immediately began making payments and the case was dismissed.
What is most shocking about Ms. Traynham’s story is that it’s not unique. We see situations like hers every single week.
Let us be clear—these abuses result from the lack of access to justice. Most debtors don’t receive any legal assistance and as a result, the creditors and the judicial system fail to ensure a fair process for low-income communities, who are squeezed both by insufficient wages and mounting debt and a collections system that utilizes the weight of the judicial system to collect on their debt without even a modicum of responsibility for how they treat the people they are suing. These are the same neighborhoods who are targeted for predatory loans, payday lenders, over-inflated interest rates, and a lack of reasonable financial products, and then are treated inhumanely by those same creditors (and debt buyers) when they are trying to make payment arrangements to pay off their debt. The outcome of these cases can be truly devastating as a judgement against a debtor clears the way for creditors to garnish wages and seize assets, furthering destabilizing families and communities.
Working in this legal area matters because these individuals deserve to have someone explain to them what is going on, what their options are, and who will zealously advocate for them. The results are astounding. In addition to the legal advice and representation that we provide, over the last year, MVLS staff attorneys and volunteers helped our clients save more than $155,000.
Remember what Ms. Traynham shared.
“If they did it to me, how many other people did they do this to?”
Frankly, the answer is a lot, and that’s why we need your help. The need for volunteer attorneys for consumer cases has never been greater. We are seeing a rise in clients like Ms. Traynham as well as increasing household debt across Maryland, leaving more individuals and families struggling to make ends meet and seeking legal assistance.
Your help can be transformative to clients like Ms. Traynham and many others by ensuring they are heard and seen and respected by creditors and the courts. MVLS continues to have a significant backlog of Chapter 7 bankruptcy clients waiting for help, and our team is at the courthouse every Tuesday morning helping debtors. With more volunteers, we can help more people, it’s that simple.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Household Debt Balances Decreased Slightly; Credit Card Delinquency Transition Rates Remained Steady (Aug. 11, 2026). ↩︎
“I had no attorney; I could not afford one. Fortunately, I called MVLS.”
– Tori, MVLS client
Content Warning – please note the below client story includes an assault and domestic violence.
From MVLS client, Tori:
My former partner (Dan) choked me while our six-year-old son watched. Our child witnessed this violence and then watched as the police took his father away in handcuffs while I was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. This terrible incident happened in October 2024, when my son’s father was dropping off our son.
What followed was a conviction for Dan for first degree assault, a final protective order in favor of my minor child and me, and a custody battle. I was advised to file for custody as soon as possible while I had court ordered temporary custody through my final protective order. I filed on my own and was devastated to find out that in response, Dan was seeking joint physical custody and had an attorney.
I had no attorney; I could not afford one. I was facing my abuser alone, and was being falsely accused, among other things, of cutting off all contact between our son and his father. I was shocked he wanted joint custody since he was never a caretaker and spent the last few years with little to no contact with our son.
In fact, Dan was mostly absent from our son’s life. When our son tried to contact him, he was ignored; there was no response. Dan’s attorney sent confusing court forms, Interrogatories, and Request for Production of Documents – and I was overwhelmed and scared. In addition to caring for our son full time, working full time, being afraid for our lives, and terrified for the future, I was panicked for what the custody case would bring and how to go up against a lawyer. I did not know where to start.
Fortunately, I called MVLS and that is when everything started to change for the better. I found out that I qualified for a free attorney! I immediately contacted Mr. Razaghi, my assigned attorney, and felt instantly reassured.
My attorney was friendly, made me feelcomfortable, and was always there for me, which is what I needed from him. I was terrified of the case; Dan was lying to me and about me, and he is extremely dangerous to my son and me. Attorney Razaghi made me feel understood and like everything was going to be ok. He was honest about the potential outcomes, which I truly appreciated. He was confident about what he was doing and asked me what I wanted to say and what I wanted for an outcome. I was amazed by the Court decision. I got full custody and child support; the exact result I was desperately hoping to achieve. I want Attorney Razaghi to get lots of clients because he is really good! If I see him, I will make him a churro cheesecake or a Tres Leche cake!
Tori’s excellent attorney was Kiyanoush Razaghi; this year’s MVLS Volunteer of the Year. Kiyanoush Razaghi is an immigration and human rights attorney based in Maryland. His journey to the United States has been shaped by a lifelong commitment to justice, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Originally from Iran, Mr. Razaghi was forced to leave his home country after facing persecution by the Islamic Republic regime because of his human rights activities. After arriving in the United States in 2013, he began the challenging process of rebuilding his life in a new country—learning English, returning to school to study U.S. law at the University of Baltimore School of Law, and ultimately passing the Maryland Bar Examination to become a licensed attorney.
He established his legal practice focusing primarily on immigration and family law, with a particular dedication to assisting individuals and families navigating complex legal challenges.
Attorney Razaghi shares why he accepts pro bono cases with MVLS.
“accepts pro bono and low bono cases as a way to give back to the community that helped him when I was a desperate new immigrant in this country. Marylanders helped me when my family and I desperately needed help between 2013 and 2016. I’m just trying to give back to this great community by doing some pro bono/low bono work.”
Attorney Razaghi shared the following about representing Tori.
“What really impressed me in this case was that Tori called me when she had literally no money. She had borrowed some money to pay my consultation fee. When I refunded her money and told her that she shouldn’t pay me anything because MVLS is helping her for free, she cried. During our first court hearing (a few days after the initial meeting) she told me that she had to walk to the courthouse because she had to save gas to take her son to school. At the end of the hearing, when the other party agreed to start paying child support and transferred $500 to her, she cried again. I really realized how important our role as MVLS volunteers is for our fellow citizens in our community.”
Kiyanoush Razaghi has been an MVLS volunteer since 2024 and in FY26 accepted 14 cases and completed 295 hours for MVLS clients. As a member of our Judicare panel, Mr. Razaghi helps keep families together, stabilizing lives every day.
Thanks to this Volunteer, Tori and her son feel safe and ready to move on with their lives. Attorney Razaghi has our deepest gratitude for what he does for MVLS and all of the clients he has helped over the years!
MVLS administers the Judicare program in several counties and Baltimore City. The Judicare program provides free attorneys to eligible unrepresented clients who have highly contested family law matters. MVLS also provides pro bono attorneys statewide for a variety of other family law matters including custody, divorce, adoption, name and gender change, and guardianship. In FY2026, 291 family law clients were represented. Tori’s account is one of a multitude of similar stories where MVLS and our volunteer attorneys make a huge impact on the lives of the people we help.
We’re proud to recognize Phillip Dehoux as MVLS’s Volunteer of the Month.
Through MVLS, Phillip brings legal training, curiosity, and client-centered advocacy to family law and estate planning matters that help Marylanders navigate difficult legal moments with support.
Volunteer of the Month
Phillip Dehoux
Why Phillip Volunteers With MVLS
Volunteering with MVLS provides a powerful counterbalance to my full-time role as a tech attorney. It allows me to step out of the corporate sphere and apply my legal training to help people who would otherwise navigate the system alone.
My day-to-day practice does not overlap much with the areas I have volunteered in, including family law and estate planning. However, that is part of the draw. MVLS provides the training, mentorship, and support needed to step into unfamiliar practice areas and still show up for clients effectively.
Performing in-court representation and legal triage has shown me how intimidating the legal system can be for people navigating it alone. Being able to stand beside someone, offer clarity, and advocate for them during a vulnerable moment is incredibly grounding.
It reminds me why I became an attorney in the first place.
Recent Cases Phillip Is Proud Of
One estate planning matter I completed through MVLS is a case I am proud of. It was my first time working with life estate deeds. I drafted one and gained hands-on experience recording deeds, which was a completely new process for me.
It is a good example of what MVLS makes possible: stepping into an unfamiliar area of law with real support and coming out having built a new skill.
Currently, I am also representing a client in a divorce proceeding. That matter allows me to step directly into the courtroom and expand my litigation skill set.
I am gaining valuable in-court experience, navigating the complexities of issuing and enforcing subpoenas, and working hands-on with evidentiary rules. Both cases demonstrate exactly what I value about this work: I broaden my legal expertise while bringing genuine relief and clarity to clients during difficult transitions.
Phillip’s Advice to New Volunteers
Do not hesitate to step in, even if the matters seem to fall outside your usual practice area.
As someone who focuses heavily on data protection and AI, stepping into front-line counseling for a variety of civil matters initially required shifting gears. However, the core attorney skills of problem-solving, issue spotting, and advocacy are universal.
The support that MVLS provides makes involvement incredibly accessible. The impact you can make on someone who would otherwise face the legal system without a lawyer is worth it.
If you have a full-time practice and think you do not have room for pro bono work, I would push back on that too. It is absolutely possible to hold down a demanding job and still make room for this. You have the tools to change someone’s trajectory for the better; you just have to raise your hand.
Inspired by Phillip’s Story?
Join our community of volunteer attorneys and help provide free civil legal services to Marylanders in need.
Yesterday, the MVLS team proudly celebrated Todd Troester, Director of Development, as he was honored as a member of the Baltimore Business Journal’s 2026 40 Under 40 class at M&T Bank Stadium.
During the celebration, Todd shared moving remarks thanking those whose love and support helped him reach this milestone. He also recognized the MVLS staff, volunteers, clients, community partners, and donors who have contributed to his success and make our work possible. Todd used the moment to highlight something larger than the recognition itself: the critical need to support local and statewide nonprofit organizations.
Across Baltimore, changemakers are working every day to strengthen communities and address urgent needs. Todd reminded attendees that there are many ways to advance this vital work. From giving and volunteering to building partnerships and championing organizations whose missions make a difference.
This recognition is an incredible honor, and we could not be more excited for Todd and all that lies ahead.
Congratulations, Todd, and congratulations to all 40 honorees who are helping shape Baltimore’s future!
Read the Baltimore Business Journal’s recap and meet the full 2026 40 Under 40 class:
Homeowners may be familiar with postcards, calls, texts, or signs promising a fast cash sale with messages like “We Buy Houses.” While many cash home-buying companies operate legitimately, some use high-pressure or deceptive tactics that can put a homeowner’s equity at risk.
Courtland highlights several warning signs, including pressure to sign immediately, last-minute changes to an offer, limited information about the buyer, unrealistic promises, and a lack of proof that the buyer has funds available to complete the purchase.
Most importantly, homeowners do not have to make a decision on the spot. Courtland encourages homeowners to get offers in writing, compare them with the home’s estimated market value, and seek independent advice before signing a purchase agreement. Talking with a trusted attorney, real estate professional, housing counselor, or family member can help homeowners make a more informed decision.
Advancing Health Equity Through Care, Partnership, and Legal Support
About GBMC and Gilchrist
MVLS is proud to recognize GBMC and Gilchrist as our Community Partner of the Month. Together, GBMC Health Partners and Gilchrist expand access to care across Maryland. Their work includes primary care, geriatric medicine, hospice, palliative care, and community-based support.
Community Partner of the Month
Marcinah Carter, RN Health Coach; Councilwoman Ramos; and Lakisha Roberts, Community Outreach Coordinator
Rooted in Community Care
GBMC has served the community for more than 60 years. It is Maryland’s only independent community health system.
GBMC was founded in 1965. It was created through the merger of Presbyterian Eye, Ear and Throat Charity Hospital and the Hospital for Women of Maryland.
In 2019, GBMC Health Partners expanded its Baltimore City presence. The organization opened its Jonestown Primary Care office at the original Presbyterian Eye, Ear and Throat Charity Hospital site.
Gilchrist is the serious illness and hospice care organization within the GBMC HealthCare system. It was established in 1994 and opened Gilchrist Center Baltimore in 2021.
Together, GBMC and Gilchrist advance health equity. They do this by expanding access to primary care, geriatric medicine, hospice, palliative care, and specialty services.
Advancing Health, Healing, and Hope
GBMC’s mission is to provide high-quality medical care and service to each patient. It also educates clinicians and promotes community health.
Gilchrist’s mission is to provide compassionate care and support at every stage of serious illness. These missions grow stronger when health equity is centered.
They also grow stronger when social drivers of health are addressed directly.
Serving Patients and Families Across the Region
GBMC Hospital is located in Towson and serves patients throughout the region. GBMC Health Partners operates practices in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Harford County.
Gilchrist serves Baltimore City and several Maryland counties. These include Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Frederick, Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, and Washington counties.
Gilchrist also serves parts of Southern Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia.
Their support extends beyond clinical care. GBMC and Gilchrist connect families with community resources, health education, outreach, and caregiver support.
They also support mental and behavioral health needs, food security, advance care planning, and advance directives.
Why Partnership With MVLS Matters
Health is shaped by more than medical care alone. Housing, benefits, estate planning, guardianship, and financial stability can all affect health.
Legal support can help address these issues. That is why partnerships with organizations like Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service are so important.
Gilchrist and MVLS have collaborated through health equity initiatives and grant-funded programs. These efforts address both legal and social needs.
GBMC and Gilchrist also refer patients and families to MVLS. Legal assistance can help people remain safely in their homes and age in place with dignity.
Connecting Healthcare and Legal Support
GBMC, Gilchrist, and MVLS work together to provide community education on advance directives and estate planning.
This education helps individuals make their wishes clear. It also helps ensure those wishes are understood and respected.
By connecting healthcare and legal support, this partnership helps serve the whole person.
Upcoming: GEDCO Stadium Place Community Festival
GBMC and Gilchrist are excited to support the GEDCO Stadium Place Community Festival. The event celebrates GEDCO’s 35th anniversary on September 26.
The festival will bring together residents, community organizations, and local resources. It will be a day of connection, celebration, and engagement.
Community members can also learn more about GBMC and Gilchrist services. These include primary care, geriatric medicine, hospice care, palliative care, caregiver support, and advance care planning.
GEDCO Stadium Place Community Festival Flyer
Advancing Health Equity Through Partnership
MVLS is proud to partner with GBMC Health Partners and Gilchrist. Together, we help patients, families, and older adults access legal resources that support health, stability, dignity, and peace of mind.
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