LA PLATA, Md. — LifeStyles of Maryland, a nonprofit focused on homelessness prevention and support in Southern Maryland, received a $2.5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund on Dec. 1, 2025. The award, announced by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos, marks the largest donation in the organization’s history and aims to expand services for families facing housing instability in the region.
The grant will support efforts to provide shelter, transitional housing, essential resources and daily outreach over five years, with a goal of ensuring no child sleeps outside. “This gift is for the thousands of families who sleep on our streets each night, enduring the cold with nowhere to turn.
This donation is a testament to the devotion that has carried us through late nights, tears, countless volunteer hours, community partnership and unwavering service. It symbolizes the heart of our LifeStyles team, our volunteers and our community members who show up day after day to serve others. It empowers LifeStyles to continue providing shelter support, transitional housing, essential resources and daily outreach to the individuals and families who rely on us,” said Sandy Washington, CEO of LifeStyles of Maryland. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Day 1 Families Fund. We hope this gift inspires others—especially those who enjoy the comfort of warm homes, safe beds and daily meals—to consider their neighbors this winter.”
LifeStyles plans to use the one-time funds to help individuals avoid homelessness, move out of crisis and pursue stability, homeownership and long-term sustainability. “As this award will help us to move the needle towards ending homelessness, we know our community will continue to play a great part in changing the lives of the unsheltered,” said Scott Bohnhoff, LifeStyles board chair.
The organization was selected by national advisors with expertise in homelessness, housing policy and solutions to family homelessness. LifeStyles operates programs including street outreach, emergency assistance, supportive housing, health and wellness services and year-round food access, serving Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties from its base in La Plata.
This grant is part of the fund’s eighth annual cohort, distributing $102.5 million to 32 organizations across 20 states, the District of Columbia and Guam. Other Maryland recipients include Community Crisis Services in Hyattsville with $5 million and Harford Family House in Aberdeen with $1.25 million. The fund, launched in 2018, has awarded over $850 million through 280 grants to groups in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, emphasizing flexible use for immediate housing and stability services.
LifeStyles has expanded its reach through prior funding, such as a $200,000 Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award in January 2025 for the Southern Crossing project, converting an abandoned motel in Newburg into transitional housing for 10 residents. The facility opened in June 2025, providing private rooms and support services. In 2022, the group received $198,976 from the Maryland Department of Labor for workforce solutions addressing homelessness in Calvert, St. Mary’s and Charles counties.
Homelessness in Maryland has shown mixed trends. Statewide, adults aged 65 and older experiencing homelessness increased 77% from 2018 to 2024, according to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. In 2024, 25% of individuals counted in HUD’s Point-in-Time survey were 55 or older. Homeless students rose 24% from 2018 to 2024 due to housing costs. In the DC region, including parts of Southern Maryland, homelessness decreased slightly in 2025 compared to 2024, per the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ annual count.
Local efforts include St. Mary’s County’s Warming Centers for Homeless (WARM) program, seeking volunteer drivers for winter shelter transport in 2025. Charles County addressed housing shortages with federal support in 2024, noting barriers for low-income residents.
Similar grantees have demonstrated impacts. Friendship Place in Washington, D.C., a 2025 recipient of $2.5 million, helped over 1,300 families with housing and employment since a prior grant. Community of Hope, also in D.C., connected over 1,000 unsheltered families to housing and contributed to an 18% drop in family homelessness there.
LifeStyles, founded in 1999 as a community-anchored nonprofit, offers volunteer-supported services like career development, legal aid and mentorship. It operates transitional homes like Robert J. Fuller for men and Martha’s Place for women and children, recently updated with county funds.
Statewide, homelessness dropped 24% from 2015 to 2020 under former Gov. Larry Hogan. Recent projections warn of a 25% surge due to potential federal cuts, affecting 4,300 adults and 1,900 children. Housing advocates pushed “just cause” eviction protections and rent stabilization in 2025 legislative sessions.
The fund’s flexible grants allow tailored responses, as seen in Hawaii’s HOPE Services, where 90% of housed families remain stable two years later. In rural Minnesota, MAHUBE-OTWA reduced homelessness to single digits in some counties. LifeStyles’ award aligns with these models, targeting Southern Maryland’s needs amid rising senior and student homelessness.
