Adopt-a-Family

All Hopkins faculty, staff, students, and retirees are invited to help brighten the holidays for families facing hardships. The Office of Economic Development partners with local nonprofit and social service agencies to provide gifts, clothing, and grocery gift cards to families and individuals who are in need of assistance during the holiday season.

Please direct any questions to communityprograms@jh.edu.

Our previous participating partners:

Other Ways to Help

You also can help a family through the Vernon Rice Memorial Holiday Turkey Program or by giving back through JHU’s United Way campaign.

How to Get Help

If you are in need of assistance, please contact your local social services agency or Maryland 2-1-1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about who the program helps or how it works? We have answers.

Who receives help?

We partner with local agencies that serve families and seniors who are facing a challenging holiday season due to a variety of circumstances. Previously adopted families and individuals have included teen mothers of young children, children of incarcerated parents, women and children displaced due to domestic violence, seniors, and adults with disabilities who are unable to pay bills and afford personal items.

Which Hopkins affiliates participate?

All Hopkins affiliates are invited to adopt a family or senior for the holidays. Many employees participate as a department-wide activity.

How are donors matched with families and seniors?

Donors will be matched to wish list provided by participating partners based on their request to support families or seniors. Details and a link to the platform will be posted in October.

Will I meet the family or senior I’m matched with?

Due to the rules of confidentiality, donors will not be able to meet the families/seniors.

Why do Hopkins employees say they participate?

“Most of us have our material needs and wants met easily. We don’t give a second thought about what it would be like to have to struggle to find money to pay rent, buy food and clothing, and care for our families,” says donor Michael Bernard of Mechanical Engineering. “Giving gifts to an adopted family who faces these dire struggles is the very least we can do to offer a helping hand and bring joy to our neighbors who don’t have as easy a life as most of us. It’s a very small way to express our gratitude for what most of us take for granted.”