About Us
Who We Are
The H.O.P.E. (Helping Orphans Prosper Everywhere) Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2006 by Dr. Marlene Mahipat with the mission of expanding the well
being of orphaned and displaced children both nationally and internationally. From its inception, the foundation has been equally involved in helping children and the underserved and homeless
population right here locally in Baltimore.
H.O.P.E. is active throughout the year providing food, clothing, vitamins and educational supplies to disadvantaged and at-risk children. During the holidays H.O.P.E.
also provides toys and meals for many needy families in the area. These items are always directly distributed to our needy by Dr. Mahipat and her volunteers at their homes in urban areas, at homeless
shelters, and many times right on the street where our city's most desperate men, women and children struggle on a daily basis for mere survival. Twice a month on average H.O.P.E. brings healthy
nutritional bagged meals to homeless people on the streets of Baltimore; a tradition started by Dr. Mahipat in 2002 and has since been carried into H.O.P.E.'s scope of activities. Since its humble
beginning, H.O.P.E. has directly affected the lives of 390 internationally, as well as 1,575, which has been locally right here in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. An additional 5,000 meals have
been provided to Baltimore's unsheltered homeless population.
Founder
Dr. Marlene N. Mahipat, D.C., President/Board of Director
Dr. Marlene Mahipat was born in Trinidad and moved to the United States in 1990. She came to this country with nothing but $300.00 to her name and two suitcases which contained her entire life and a phone number of an old friend. She had many struggles, which included working three jobs and going to school full time. She received her Associates Degree from Brevard Community College in Florida and a Bachelors’ Degree from Regents College. She received her Doctor of Chiropractic Degree in 2001 from Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic and a Master’s Degree in Pharmacological Sciences, in the field of Medical Cannabis, from University of Maryland, school of pharmacy. Dr. Mahipt is part of a pioneering class to earn a Masters degree in Science and Therapeutics of Medical Cannabis and graduated in 2021 with honors and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi.
Dr. Marlene Mahipat moved to Maryland in 2002 and started a company called Mediquest in 2004. This company provides patients with cost-effective chiropractic care and physical therapy that meets the needs of the general public as well as those with special needs such as pregnant women and infants. In addition to chiropractic and physical therapy, Dr. Mahipat offers a very holistic and detailed profile of a person’s health by providing genetic testing, hair analysis, stool sampling, and blood work which test for cancer markers as well as chronic diseases before they manifest themselves.
Dr. Marlene Mahipat founded Helping Orphans Prosper Everywhere (H.O.P.E.) in 2006 – a non-profit 501C children’s foundation – that focuses on providing food, clothes, vitamins and educational supplies to underprivileged and displaced children (www.hope-orphans.org). She also started People Letting Every Animal Survive Euthanization (P.L.E.A.S.E.) in 2006 – a non-profit pet foundation that focuses on helping otherwise healthy animals from being put to sleep and on-going projects to help elderly with food and vet bills for their pets (www.please-rescue.org). She does weekly deliveries for Meals-On-Wheels.
Dr. Mahipat is the recipient of many awards for her charitable works.
2023 - Zonta Spirit Award - Building a Better World for Women and Girls
2022 – Influential Marylander Civic Leadership Award
2021 - Daily Record Health Care Heroes Award (2nd time)
2020 - Baltimore County Woman Making A Difference Award
2019 - Daily Record Health Care Heroes Award
Women in Business Trailblazer Award
Fashion Umbrella impact Award
2018 - CEO Report Mid-Atlantic Women's Leadership Award
CEO Report Velocity Growth Award
2017 - Top 100 MBE Award (3rd time)
Associated Black Charities Women On The Move Award
Smart CEO Baltimore Future 50 Award
2016 - Stevie Awards Lifetime Achievement for Nonprofit Winner
Smart CEO Baltimore Future 50 Award
Let's Talk Success An Empowered Woman Honoree
2015 - Enterprising Women of the Year Award
Maryland Top 100 Women Award (3rd time) Circle of Excellence
Citizen of the Year from Knights of Columbus
2014 -Broward College Alumni Hall of Distinction Service to the Community Award - finalist
Enterprising Women of the Year - Honorable Mention
2013 - Grandfamilies PTSA Community Partner of the Year (for HOPE)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Content of Character Award
- Maryland Top 100 Women Award (2nd time)
2012 - Top 100 Minority Business Entrepreneurs Award (2nd time)
2011 - Maryland Chiropractor of the Year
- Maryland Health Care Heroes Finalist
- Sherman College of Chiropractic Distinguished Service Award
- Trinidad & Tobago Association of Baltimore Community Service Award
2010 - 100 Black Men Honor WPO Women of Color Award
- Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame
- Top 100 Minority Business Entrepreneurs Award
2009 - Maryland Top 100 Women Award
- Meals on Wheels Volunteer of the Year
2008 - Baltimore County Commission for Women - Women Making a Difference Award
2006 - Smart Women/Smart CEO Bravo Business Achievement Award
2005 - Harlow Fullwood Jr. Service Above Self Award
Memberships & Affiliations
Alumni Member of Phi Kappa Phi
Honorary Chair at the Office of Stephanie Rawlings Blake – Baltimore City Mayor
Women’s Presidents Organization
Girl Scouts of Central Maryland – Board Member
Maryland Chiropractic Association
Florida Chiropractic Association
The International Women's Leadership Association
LifeBridge Health and Fitness – Advisory Committee
H.O.P.E. Foundation – President and Founder
P.L.E.A.S.E. Foundation – President and Founder
Mediquest, LLC – President and Founder
Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland – volunteer, delivery driver and greeter
National Organization for Women
Board Members
Dr. Jerry Katz, DPM – Vice President
Dr. Jerry Katz is originally from New York. He graduated from Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, in 1987. Dr. Katz has been in private practice since 1990, in Randallstown, MD. He has hospital privileges at Northwest Hospital and appointments at University Specialty Hospital. Dr. Katz has helped in various projects for HOPE. He has been the driver on many trips to deliver meals and care packages to the homeless on the streets of Baltimore. Dr. Katz has played Santa Claus at orphanages and homeless shelters locally and internationally. Dr. Katz has also been one of HOPE’s largest contributors.
Chris Yates – Executive Director & Treasurer
Mr. Yates is originally from the Eastern Shore of MD and has lived in Baltimore since 2007. He is a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and has done volunteer work for Anna’s House, Associated Catholic Charities of MD, Beans and Bread, Christopher Place Employment Academy, Esperanza Center, My Sister’s Place Women’s Center, Our Daily Bread, and Sarah’s House. He has also done volunteer work for both of Dr. Mahipat’s foundations. He has done animal rescue and transportation for the P.L.E.A.S.E. Foundation and helped deliver food and toys for the H.O.P.E. Foundation. He is also in charge of the record keeping and grant writing.
Eric Yarbrough - Director
Eric received a Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins in Technical Management. He also has a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering from Devry University. Eric has lead engineering teams in the defense industry and has served as mentor to many of them while employed at Northrop Grumman Corporation. He is currently a senior engineer at LJT and Associates. Over the last couple of years he has assisted with various shelters to donate items and his time. He has a great heart and wants to help out as many people as possible.
Angel L. Alicea Lopez (U.S.D.A. Animal Caretaker) – Director
Angel (a.k.a. Ali) has been doing charity work for many years. He speaks 5 languages and is our translator for many of our events. His other fundraising and charitable events include Heroes for Hurricane relief, (Katrina and Rita 2005), H.O.P.E. and P.L.E.A.S.E 2004 to Present, Hurricane Irma and Maria, FL, TX 2017, Hurricane Irma and Maria, Puerto Rico,2017 to Present. Ali is our Santa at each of our annual holiday events and loves interacting with and encouraging the children and families that receive aid from H.O.P.E. He is also responsible for securing and transporting over 2,000 stuffed animals each year that go to children during the holidays and residents of nursing homes.
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