The music thumped from the speakers as the DJ mixed tracks and people danced on the main floor of Roofers Union, a rustic hang-out space nestled in the heart of Adams Morgan. Only a short walk away from Christ House, this venue transformed into the ideal space to host our first annual House Heals event, an afternoon full of good music for a good cause. We enjoyed the diverse beats of tech house, reggaeton, UK garage, and Afrobeats in a room bursting with energy and enthusiasm. The House Heals event is the latest example of the excellent work of our Christ House Ambassadors over the last year.
Our Ambassador program relaunched at the beginning of 2024 with two regular participants. Now in its third year, our 2026 cohort has grown to thirteen individuals. Many were directly recruited from our current pool of recurring volunteers who showed deep commitment to Christ House through serving in our kitchen, providing administrative support in our nurses’ station, and leading patient activities.
Our 2026 cohort of Ambassadors!
One Ambassador, Gaia, started out as a local volunteer in our nurses’ station and kitchen before launching a weekend art class a couple times a month. Each class focuses on a specific art form, from sculpture to self-portrait. In a recent interview, Gaia shared: “Patients will come every time there is a class and let me know that they appreciate it and they like learning new stuff. It means so much for me because it’s like we are both showing up for each other.”
Gaia and art from a few of the classes she has taught- portraiture, color theory, sketch
Many of our Ambassadors share similar stories. Being involved in the Ambassador program has become central to their connection at Christ House.
The momentum of the Ambassador Program began building last year when several Ambassadors brainstormed Pastries for a Purpose, an Open Mic Night featuring delicious pastries and a silent auction. The team showed both adaptability and flexibility, even pivoting last minute when our original venue fell through. They recruited local musicians, baked homemade treats, and hosted a beautiful event in January with cozy beverages and fantastic talent. This success laid the foundation for our Ambassadors to continue reaching out to the broader Adams Morgan network.
A couple weeks later, our Culinary Innovation Manager, Kendra, was energized by the Open Mic night and began chatting about it with volunteer Priya in the kitchen. As they chopped vegetables and prepared dinner, they began to brainstorm together. Priya knew about the DJ music scene and Kendra reflected on the possibility of a DJ day party, complete with custom mocktails, that could introduce our mission to a new crowd.
On May 9, that kitchen conversation became a reality. We successfully hosted our first annual House Heals event at the Roofers Union, where proceeds benefited both Christ House and Martha’s Table, another nonprofit focused on food security.
These two events represent the Ambassador program in miniature: people showing up, connecting with one another, and building something that no one person can do on their own.
It reveals something important about our mission of healing and hope at Christ House, too. There are so many people in our neighborhood who are willing and ready to step into the work alongside us. When they walk through the doors of Christ House, they cultivate a widening net of healing and hope. That mutuality Gaia described in her art class shows up time and time again. Volunteers share their gifts, patients offer their trust and creativity, and all of us grow around a shared commitment to the dignity of every person. Our Ambassadors connect our neighbors to our mission and open the door for the next person to step inside and get involved.
The next chapter of the Ambassador Program is just getting started, and we’d love for you to be a part of it. Keep an eye on our page for more events, and if you are interested in joining the Ambassador Program, please reach out to Heidi Mills at heidi.mills@christhouse.org.
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