Anthony Mills was born and raised in Washington, DC, where he excelled at art classes throughout his years in school. He went to H.D. Woodson High School and was an exchange student in Thailand. When Anthony returned to Washington, DC, he attended community college and also studied massage therapy. Over the years, he had various jobs cooking and doing lawn care but struggled to make it on his own. Anthony shared that a series of bad choices led him to spend a year in jail.   

When Anthony got out of jail, he didn’t have a place to live and spent time in shelters, staying with friends and living on the streets. 

Anthony came to Miriam’s Kitchen in 2017 because he needed something to eat and was in a perilous state. “I was frantic and just trying to find some place to stabilize myself,” Anthony said. He didn’t expect much and couldn’t believe the quality of the meal he received.  

The delicious meal drew him in, and Anthony started coming to MK regularly for breakfast and dinner. He found friendships at Miriam’s Kitchen, both with the staff and with other guests. It felt like family. “Miriam’s Kitchen saved my life,” Anthony stated.  The MK Studio program was an essential connection. “In my darkest times, MK allowed me the chance to pursue my art, which helped me to channel my thoughts.” 

 At MK, Anthony completed a housing assessment, which was the first step towards getting a housing voucher. Time went by – years – as the process for obtaining a DC housing voucher is long and slow. “My situation was up and down – housed, unhoused, no stability.” 

In 2018, MK connected Anthony with medical professionals who helped him identify and address both physical and mental health issues. The proper diagnoses helped to stabilize him and brought him a new perspective, helping him to make sense of all that had happened to him over the years. 

However, when the COVID pandemic started, Anthony wasn’t able to maintain that stability.  “It was horrible.” Anthony said, shaking his head. “COVID was a dark time for me, and I spiraled down into deep depression. MK was an emotional cornerstone for me. Miriam’s Kitchen is a haven for the tired soul.”  After years of waiting, Anthony was matched to a housing voucher in 2023 and then began the long process of trying to get an apartment. 

Finally, on August 1, 2025, Anthony moved into his own apartment and he’s even living in the neighborhood where he grew up.  “Now I’m starting to get a sense of stability, my anxiety is going down and I’m really enjoying life,” Anthony shared with a smile.