{"id":11879,"date":"2026-02-25T18:54:45","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T23:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifestylesofmd.org\/?p=11879"},"modified":"2026-04-02T04:50:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T09:50:13","slug":"state-of-the-union","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifestylesofmd.org\/es\/2026\/02\/state-of-the-union\/","title":{"rendered":"En el Discurso sobre el Estado de la Uni\u00f3n, reflexionando sobre el hogar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”hide-featured-image” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ custom_padding=”1px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font_size=”16px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

The invitation can only be described as an extraordinary honor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Representative Steny Hoyer, nearing the end of his four decades in Congress, personally invited LifeStyles CEO Sandy Washington to visit the nation\u2019s capital as his guest at Tuesday\u2019s annual State of the Union address.<\/span><\/p>\n

A wonderful gesture from a leader who has been an incredible champion for LifeStyles of Maryland, supporting the organization at home in Southern Maryland and in the halls of Congress.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, Sandy Washington accepted the invitation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe experience of being in the room \u2014 of even being asked \u2014 meant a lot for me personally and for LifeStyles as an organization,\u201d she said on Wednesday. \u201cTo be sitting at a national event that represented our entire country, to be that close up and personal in the room was certainly an honor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She began the evening by sitting down with Hoyer and his staff to discuss the challenges in our communities and how LifeStyles strives to help those in need. She described the ways the organization is succeeding \u2026 and the areas where the vast need exceeds the available resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCongressman Hoyer was gracious,\u201d Washington said, \u201cand his staff was awesome.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Her anticipation built as she walked from Hoyer\u2019s office in the Longworth House Office Building through underground tunnels to reach the United States Capitol, then navigated the extensive security check before finding her seat in the gallery overlooking the House of Representatives Chambers.<\/span><\/p>\n

She marveled at the spectacle, chatted with guests sitting nearby, and prepared for an experience she knew she\u2019d remember for the rest of her life.<\/span><\/p>\n

She had come, she realized, seeking something she could bring home with her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI accepted and went because of all the things happening in our community, the number of people coming to us for help and the many things being requested of us,\u201d Washington said. \u201cI actually went not just for the honor, but for a little bit of hope. We talk about being able to provide hope for others when they come to us, and so I went to get my glass filled a little bit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Then the event began, pomp and pageantry followed by a State of the Union address that lasted nearly two hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the end, did she leave with the hope that she sought?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

* * *<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It all began on a positive note. Washington mingled with visitors from all over the country \u2014 Montana, Texas, Tennessee. They were local officials, leaders in their communities. Many were also attending for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n

The entire group, it seemed, felt swept up in the moment. They stood and applauded in unison as military members and others were recognized for their service and for acts of selflessness and courage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were all excited,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was an honor. We were loving our country, feeling that shared excitement. And then ….\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, as the preliminary festivities gave way to the main event, she began to realize the vast disconnect between the world she lives in and the one in which she found herself sitting.<\/span><\/p>\n

At every pause in the address, many cheered wildly. Others sat in silence. Some shouted jeers. Protesters were escorted out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And the speech went on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

LifeStyles prides itself on being apolitical, enjoying bipartisan support from local legislators and strong relationships with donors, volunteers and community members of every political persuasion. The mission cannot be accomplished with anything less.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about the people, not the politics,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople who are homeless or hungry don\u2019t care what side of the aisle you\u2019re on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The address on Tuesday evening described a picture of progress that, try as she might, Washington could not reconcile with the reality that she sees each day.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Southern Maryland, the homeless shelters aren\u2019t just full, they have 300 people on the waitlist for a bed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Charles County alone, nearly 1,000 school-aged children are homeless.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Families have lost their healthcare.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More are struggling to afford basic necessities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Former LifeStyles donors, who years earlier gave generously to help others in need, now come to LifeStyles asking for help themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

So as she sat and listened to the State of the Union address, Sandy Washington cried.<\/span><\/p>\n

Someone next to her leaned in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you OK?\u201d they asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she told them. \u201cBut I will be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

* * *<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When her tears were dried and her thoughts were gathered, what she came to realize was this: \u201cHope starts at home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While she is eternally grateful for the years of impactful support from Hoyer \u2014 and from other lawmakers, Democrat, Republican or Independent \u2014 Washington knows that real change must come from within our communities.<\/span><\/p>\n

It will come from neighbors lifting up neighbors.<\/span><\/p>\n

It will come from teachers caring about their students.<\/span><\/p>\n

It will come from a kind soul offering a meal to a hungry stranger.<\/span><\/p>\n

It will come from all of us.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t wait for someone else to fix it,\u201d she said. \u201cIt has to start with us. Hope starts at home.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/geAaOw7vMmk” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

La directora ejecutiva de LifeStyles, Sandy Washington, reflexiona sobre su asistencia al discurso sobre el Estado de la Uni\u00f3n y sobre por qu\u00e9 la esperanza \u2014y el cambio real\u2014 comienzan en casa, en nuestras comunidades locales.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11882,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\n

The annual Point-in-Time Homeless Survey began across Southern Maryland on Wednesday, part of a large, nationwide effort that attempts to quantify the numbers of sheltered and unsheltered individuals and families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of its Continuum of Care (CoC) application for homelessness funding, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that jurisdictions across the nation conduct a statistically reliable and unduplicated count of the homeless for one overnight period during the last 10 days of January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LifeStyles of Maryland is helping lead the effort in Southern Maryland. Roughly 50 volunteers and staff members will fan out across the region to conduct the survey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the goal is to provide a snapshot of the homeless in our community, LifeStyles takes it a step further by providing access to resources and distributing items to help them sustain the weather as well as providing information and encouraging individuals to access shelter and housing services. LifeStyles will also work with local departments of social services to provide shelter for those who seek it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results of the survey are used to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n