Friendship Place Celebrates 35 Years of Ending Homelessness at Gala Honoring Community Champions

Annual Gala to Recognize Four Leaders, Including President & CEO Jean-Michel Giraud's 20 Years of Transformative Leadership

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Friendship Place, the premier provider of housing services for people experiencing homelessness in the Washington, DC region, will celebrate its 35th Anniversary Gala on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Conrad Washington, DC. The evening will bring together community leaders, supporters, and advocates to celebrate 35 years of ending homelessness and rebuilding lives, and will honor individuals whose leadership has strengthened the region's response to homelessness.

Since a small group of neighbors founded Friendship Place in 1991, the organization has grown from serving hundreds of people annually to more than 5,400 today through its innovative, person-centered programs that help people find housing, employment, and long-term stability. Friendship Place is now a trusted partner in the District's efforts to expand housing-focused solutions, developing innovative approaches while continuing to pioneer new initiatives such as Jobs First, Shared Housing, and a guaranteed cash transfer pilot for young adults experiencing homelessness.

This year's Gala will recognize four remarkable honorees whose dedication has advanced housing opportunities and hope throughout the DC region:

• Jean-Michel Giraud, President & CEO of Friendship Place, celebrating 20 years of leadership transforming the organization into a national model through evidence-based programs such as Veterans First in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; innovative permanent supportive housing programs developed with the District, including La Casa, Neighbors First Families, and Neighbors First Individuals; and short-term housing programs such as The Brooks, The Aston, and Valley Place. Throughout that growth, Friendship Place has remained committed to delivering measurable outcomes while ensuring every person who comes through its doors is treated with compassion and individualized care. Giraud was recently named a Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur, France's highest civilian distinction, and one of Washingtonian magazine's Washingtonians of the Year for his decades of service.
  
  
• Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, whose longstanding advocacy for affordable housing, homelessness services, and investments in supportive programs has advanced policies that help people move from homelessness to stable housing.
  
  
• Sue Marshall, Founding Executive Director of The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, whose decades of leadership helped establish DC as a national model for coordinated, data-driven homelessness response systems.
  
  
• Carole Evans, accomplished violinist with the National Symphony Orchestra and founder of Friendship Place's beloved Music of Friends concert series, whose years of volunteer leadership have raised awareness and critical support for Friendship Place's mission.

"Each honoree embodies Friendship Place's spirit of meeting people where they are, offering hope and support, and building a stronger, more compassionate community," said David Dirks, Chair of Friendship Place's Board of Directors.

This year's event is especially meaningful as the organization celebrates 20 years of extraordinary leadership by Jean-Michel Giraud.

"It has been the greatest honor of my career to serve the thousands of people who have entrusted Friendship Place to walk beside them on their journey home," said Jean-Michel Giraud. "Our 35th anniversary is an opportunity to recognize those stories of perseverance as well as the partners whose commitment has made this work possible."

Guests will enjoy dinner, drinks, and an inspiring program recognizing the honorees while helping ensure Friendship Place can continue delivering effective, housing-focused solutions throughout the DC region.

Event Details
Friendship Place 35th Anniversary Gala
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Reception begins at 6:00 p.m.
Conrad Washington, DC

About Friendship Place
Friendship Place empowers people experiencing or at risk of homelessness to attain stable housing and rebuild their lives. Through innovative, customized, person-centered programs serving individuals, families, Veterans, youth, and older adults, the organization provides housing, employment services, street outreach, health care, and behavioral health support to help people build lasting stability. Founded in 1991, Friendship Place now serves more than 5,400 people annually across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Media Contact
Yimka Odebode
Director of Media, Marketing & Communications
Friendship Place
[email protected]
202-306-1958

SOURCE FRIENDSHIP PLACE