Community Connections DC

11/17/2025

Thank you, Councilmember Christina Henderson, for joining Community Connections at our First Annual Partnership Convening and sharing your powerful insights on data, transparency, and community trust.

“If we want to make smart, proactive decisions about behavioral health, maternal health, or any public health priority, we need local data that is timely, transparent, and usable. That means building internal capacity, publishing what we already know, and trusting residents with the information that belongs to them. Because you cannot fix what you do not measure, and you cannot measure what you refuse to see.” —Councilmember Christina Henderson

As Chair of the DC Council’s Committee on Health, Councilmember Henderson’s leadership and commitment to evidence-based policymaking continue to shape a healthier, more equitable future for all residents of the District.

We are grateful for her partnership and shared dedication to improving behavioral health and well-being across our community!

11/11/2025

At our First Annual Partnership Convening, we were proud to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Joseph “Joe” Cullinan, Senior Advisor to the CEO at Community Connections.

For nearly 25 years, Joe has been a steady source of wisdom, compassion, and innovation—helping guide the organization through growth, transformation, and leadership transitions. His dedication has strengthened every level of our work, from clinical operations to technology systems that keep our care connected.

Joe’s remarkable journey—from case manager to Chief Administrative Officer, and now Senior Advisor—reflects a lifetime of service grounded in purpose and heart. We are deeply grateful for his enduring impact and unwavering commitment to the mission of Community Connections.

Congratulations, Joe — and thank you for your legacy of leadership.

10/17/2025

📣 The First Annual Partnership Convening is less than a week away!

We’re thrilled to share a few exciting updates and announcements – including new speakers, extended registration, and more.

Get ready for powerful conversations, inspiring leaders, and meaningful connections. We can’t wait to see you there!

📅 Event Date: October 23, 2025

🕒 Time: 2:30 - 5:30 PM

📍 Location: The Spire

🔗 RSVP Here

2025 First Annual Partnership Convening(or donate w/form below) Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Location: The Spire750 First Street NE, #110, Washington, DC. At Community Connections (CCI), we are honored to support individuals facing the complex realities of mental illness, addicti...

10/10/2025

oin Us! Registration is still open!

We’re excited to announce our new location for the Community Connections 2025 First Annual Partnership Convening— now taking place at The Spire, 750 First Street NE, #110, Washington, DC!

Thursday, October 23, 2025
2:30 – 5:30 PM

Join us as we close celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our District, the Community Connections DC team, and the partners who make it all possible.

Consumer of the Year
Servant Staff of the Year
Bold and Courageous Partner of the Year

Let’s celebrate community, collaboration, and impact — we can’t wait to see you at The Spire!

10/03/2025

Community Connections DC is honored to welcome DC Councilmember Christina Henderson , Chair of the Council’s Committee on Health, as the Keynote Speaker at Community Connections’ 1st Annual Partnership Convening on October 23, 2025, at The Yard.

Councilmember Henderson has been a driving force in advancing legislation and securing budgetary wins to improve maternal and reproductive health, expand worker pay and benefits, fight food insecurity, promote public safety and safe streets, support small businesses, and strengthen good governance. We look forward to her inspiring keynote remarks on building healthier, stronger communities.

09/29/2025

We are honored to welcome Dr. Ayanna Bennett, MD, MSPH, FAAP, Director of the District of Columbia Department of Health (DC Health), to participate in an insightful and candid fireside chat at Community Connections DC 1st Annual Partnership Convening on October 23, 2025, at The Yard.

09/23/2025

Bold & Courageous Partners
Collaboration drives systems change. At our Partnership Convening, Community Connections DC will honor those who move the behavioral health and housing sectors forward with the Bold & Courageous Partners of the Year Award.

This year’s awards will be presented to DC Central Kitchen and Capital One — celebrating unwavering commitment to service, innovation, and community impact.

09/16/2025

These guiding commitments of Transformation, Connections & Collaboration come to life at Community Connections DC First Annual Partnership Convening. Join us on October 23rd as we honor consumers, staff, and community partners who embody these values.

09/03/2025

Starting at 8 pm on August 28th, Community Connections DC Homeless Services Team and colleagues participated in the DC Summer Census for our unhoused DC residents. This summer census, will assist Department of Human Services with allocating resources to DC's most vulnerable residents.
Our colleagues provide ongoing support to unhoused neighbors by providing resources and referrals to sustain daily life and wellness.

09/03/2025

Join Community Connections DC First Annual Partnership Convening on October 23! This convening brings together partners, advocates, and neighbors to reflect, connect, and shape the future. Celebrate excellence with the presentation of three awards!

08/18/2025

Damien Cabezas, President & CEO of Community Connections DC thoroughly enjoyed presenting mission and services to DC Mayor's Office of Talent and Appointments of Talent and Appointments (MOTA). A group of diverse and talented individuals from all eight Wards to implement Mayor Bowser's approach to creating equitable pathways for all District residents.

08/15/2025

Statement from Community Connections DC Office of the President & CEO regarding the Executive Order "Ending Crime and Disorder on American Streets."

Community Connections DC began by helping people deinstitutionalize from St. Elizabeth Hospital. Dr. Maxine Harris and Helen Bergman wanted to work with adults experiencing
mental illness who were marginalized and a group of people that most people weren’t interested to serve or work with. Throughout the years our work has been to ensure the individuals and communities we serve feel welcomed, safe, and not terrified.
For the homeless population, institutionalization and incarceration interrupts recovery, worsens health outcomes, severs social supports, and perpetuates the cycle of homelessness.

Evidence overwhelmingly supports community-based, housing-focused, trauma-informed interventions as more humane, effective, and cost-efficient alternatives. It’s so easy to critique instead of construct, especially when the answers are not apparent
and the way forward is not clear. Building stronger pathways out of homelessness means prioritizing not only shelter but also belonging. In this sense, if housing is the foundation,
then connections and relationships are the thing that keeps people in homes.

While much remains unknown about the executive order, we will continue working closely with our agency partners to provide the quickest and most effective response to the populations we serve. Community Connections remains a strong advocate for our
unhoused population. We support affordable housing, an increase in housing vouchers, and alignment with the Mayor’s outreach initiative. Our exceptional homeless outreach and
entire team actively engages with the unhoused population to share updates and prepare for city activities, weather events, and other timely information for safety and wellbeing of
our unsheltered population.

Let’s construct an ecosystem that offers constructive alternatives to big-government top-down approaches. Let’s ensure we provide radical hospitality not hostility in order to restore hope and healing. Although we may serve different communities, we all share the
same core purpose of creating spaces where authentic connections lead to meaningful change.

Together, Community Connections is changing lives, we invite you to join us.