Advocates for Baltimore Community Health (ABC Health) is a student-run organization under the Center for Social Concern that focuses on service and advocacy, and promotes healthy living in Baltimore. The group connects Hopkins students with local clinics, community organizations, and nonprofits to address the health needs of uninsured and underinsured populations.
The group has hosted various events, including an on-campus naloxone training during the fall of 2023 in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department and a food packaging event for the Baltimore Hunger Project, organized with the Beta Beta Beta Society.
In an interview with The News-Letter, president of ABC Health Victor You provided insight into the club's mission and history.
"ABC Health was originally known as People's Community Health Center (PCHC) and focused on volunteering at a single Baltimore clinic," You said. "The directors of PCHC decided to broaden the group’s scope in 2014 to partner with more organizations, coining the new name Advocates for Baltimore Community Health. This allowed us to expand our vision and activities."
Since the group’s first initiative, ABC Health has continued to grow its presence within the Baltimore community. Their outreach has included health awareness programs at the 32nd Street Farmer’s Market, clinical volunteering at Shepherd’s Clinic, and other forms of health advocacy.
“The focus of our community-based activities is to contribute to various aspects of social determinants of health in partnership with a diverse array of Baltimore community-based organizations,” You said.
Social media chair Peter Wang, a junior majoring in Neuroscience, shared what motivated him to join the club and his favorite experiences with the organization in an interview with The News-Letter.
“I joined because I knew that I wanted to do some form of volunteering coming into college, and I was encouraged to break out of the Hopkins bubble. My favorite experience was with CLUB1111, Maryland’s only nightclub for people with disabilities. I served drinks and hosted Bingo games for the attendees. It was great to see everyone enjoy the activities," he said.
ABC Health is currently working on two primary goals. First, the organization aims to expand its capacity and provide more opportunities for students to engage with social issues in Baltimore. One such organization is Maryland New Directions, which helps unemployed Baltimore residents navigate the job search process. Some of the planned events include As part of this effort, ABC Health is planning new events but is also seeking unique approaches to provide service opportunities, as some dates and locations have become over-saturated with volunteers.
"We aim to pivot our resources away from volunteer-saturated organizations so we can contribute more meaningfully. We’re also seeking new sources of funding to support our growing efforts," You said.
In an interview with The News-Letter, Cece Aboaf, a senior majoring in Chemistry, reflected on her three-year journey as a member of ABC Health and shared her passion for the club’s mission and personal highlights.
“My favorite experience with ABC Health was working at a soup kitchen called Our Daily Bread, which feeds the homeless on Saturday mornings,” Aboaf said. “I've loved serving hot meals and speaking with the people coming in for lunch. It's been so rewarding to connect personally with the individuals we're helping, and I’ve made some amazing friends in the club along the way.”
Aboaf's involvement stems from her long-standing commitment to community service, something she has carried with her from her upbringing.
"Growing up, I always did community service with my family, and it was important for me to continue that at Hopkins. I knew that ABC Health matched my interests in public health, and I've really enjoyed the range of opportunities the club offers," she said.
In the last year, the club accumulated nearly 300 volunteer hours through 14 organized events and served thousands of individuals in need.
