By Silvana Quiroz
Every morning, Rachelle Ellison walked through the doors of Miriam’s Kitchen to join breakfast—a simple routine that held profound meaning. It wasn’t just the hot meal or the friendly faces; it was finally hearing her name spoken aloud. “I used to go there every day just to hear my name,” Rachelle told us during the interview for our special video about MK’s work.
For many experiencing homelessness, that small act of acknowledgment can be transformative. It signals dignity, respect, and belonging. Rachelle’s journey from living on the streets to becoming a leading housing advocate exemplifies how a supportive community and access to compassionate services can spark long-term recovery.
Long before Rachelle found refuge at Miriam’s Kitchen, childhood abuse left deep scars. By age 23, she was a mother of five, but the lingering effects of trauma made it impossible for her to care for her children. “I was an abused child, and I didn’t know any better. I never abused my kids, but I was not a fit mother at the time,” she said.
While in treatment, tragedy struck her eldest son who suffered a serious pool accident. Rachelle spent six months at Johns Hopkins with him, but doctors delivered devastating news: “He fell in the pool… I was with him for six months in Johns Hopkins, but the doctors told me he will not make it.”
The loss shattered Rachelle’s world. She relapsed into addiction, and her remaining children were placed in foster care. With her husband incarcerated, Rachelle had nowhere to turn. She arrived in Washington, D.C., seeking anonymity but found herself sleeping on sidewalks and in parks for over 17 years.
For nearly two decades, Rachelle roamed the capital’s streets. She struggled to cope with unresolved trauma and the daily threat of violence. “I was running from the pain, not knowing how to deal with trauma… I was pretty much on my own.”
But even in that darkest period, she found support from other unhoused individuals who connected her to vital services. They introduced her to Miriam’s Kitchen, a nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness through meals, medical respite, housing assistance, and advocacy.
Stepping into the warm dining room of Miriam’s Kitchen marked a turning point. “When I walked into Miriam’s Kitchen, it was so warm. I was—who are these people?” Rachelle recalls.
More importantly, someone called her by name. After 17 years of feeling invisible, hearing her name spoken with respect—and receiving the encouragement that rebuilt her self-esteem—changed everything. She entered a healing process that helped her understand her past and didn’t define who she was.
“Life is a journey, but having people in an organization such as Miriam’s Kitchen standing beside you, supporting you, believing in you, speaking life into you is one of the most important and amazing parts of helping someone with no self-esteem find self-esteem, or someone with no confidence become confident. The way they stand next to you, hold your hand, and believe in you—it took a lot of people telling me that for me to start believing it and walking in that confidence as well. That’s something Miriam’s Kitchen did for me.”
“I wasn’t invisible anymore… everyone at Miriam’s Kitchen would treat me with dignity and respect.”
For Rachelle, dignity translated into stability. While still unhoused, she began participating in different programs—health screenings, case management, and support groups—focused on trauma recovery. Thanks to numerous contacts and organizations in the district, she was able to secure emergency housing in just nine days.
Securing a safe place to live was the beginning of Rachelle’s rehabilitation. Over time, she committed to a structured recovery plan: “You work on you… forgiveness, making amends, dealing with trauma, the abuse, the guilt, the shame, and you become a whole person who can jump into society.”
Eleven years ago, Rachelle chose sobriety. What began as a daily struggle soon blossomed into a spiritual journey. “I never thought I would stay clean for 11 minutes, let alone 11 years. This side of recovery is so amazing.”
Grateful for her transformation, Rachelle felt compelled to give back. She joined Miriam’s Kitchen’s Speakers Bureau, using her lived experience to advocate for housing access and trauma-informed support. Today, she stands as a powerful voice in D.C.’s fight against chronic homelessness.
This year, Miriam’s Kitchen chose Rachelle Ellison as the Annual Celebration Awardee. In a moving speech, she reflected on how far she’d come—and the power of community support. But the real highlight came when her children joined her onstage. “I have been reunited with all my children; I have 11 grandchildren now. They are amazing; they are beautiful. God has kind of restored all of this because I do His work. I serve the unhoused population on different platforms to help them.”
From breakfast trays to policy meetings, Rachelle’s journey underscores the impact of dignity, housing access, and trauma-informed care. Yet she never forgets her roots. “Miriam’s Kitchen is my base of when I hear someone say my name.”
Spotlight: Rachelle Ellison’s Bio and Advocacy Work
- The Way Home Campaign Steering Committee: Collaborating with local nonprofits and policymakers, Rachelle pushes for increased funding for permanent supportive housing, street outreach and other critical programs.
- Miriam’s Kitchen Speaker’s Bureau and Guest Advisory Board: Rachelle is a critical leader at Miriam’s Kitchen who is incredibly generous with her time and expertise. As part of the Speaker’s Bureau, Rachelle shares her story and raises her voice to raise awareness, advocate to end homelessness, and help support MK. As a member of the Guest Advisory Board, Rachelle helps to inform decision making at Miriam’s Kitchen, ensuring that our programs reflect the reality on the ground and the perspective of those with lived experience of housing instability.
- Assistant Director of People for Fairness Coalition (PFFC): PFFC is a peer led organization dedicated to outreach, peer mentoring and advocacy. Rachelle provides guidance to people currently experiencing homelessness and connects them to housing. PFFC is also at the forefront of advocating for an end to homelessness in DC
- Faces of Homelessness Speaker (National Coalition for the Homeless): As a national speaker, she educates audiences about the root causes of homelessness, emphasizing that supportive housing and social services can break the cycle of poverty.
- Community Voices Working Group, Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development: She uses her personal story to influence equitable housing policies in Washington, D.C.
Through these roles, Rachelle has helped shape strategies that expand housing opportunities for people who were once in her shoes.
