our story

Built by Women,
For Women

Empress House was born from lived experience, shaped by compassion, and driven by the belief that no mother should face homelessness alone.

Founder & Executive Director
LaShawn Antoinette Hawkins
Founder's Message

Why I Started Empress House

The journey to founding Empress House was deeply personal. Having witnessed firsthand how quickly a mother’s world can unravel and how few resources truly support her through that storm, I knew something had to change.

I started Empress House Inc. with one mission: to end homelessness for mothers and provide the tools for genuine self-sufficiency. Not just a bed for the night, but a full transformation from crisis to confidence.

Our trauma-informed approach means we see each woman as a whole person. We understand that homelessness is a symptom, never a character flaw. We walk alongside every woman who comes through our doors, through the hard days and the breakthrough days, until she stands fully on her own.

Empress House is more than a program. It’s a community of women who are rising, reigning, and rewriting their stories every single day.

Our Core Values

The Pillars of
Everything We Do

Trauma-Informed Care

We lead with compassion and understanding, recognizing the impact of trauma and creating safe, healing environments for every woman we serve.

Empowerment First

We equip women with knowledge, skills, and confidence, fostering independence rather than dependency at every step of the journey.

Dignity & Respect

Every woman who walks through our doors is greeted with unwavering dignity. Her past does not define her potential.

Community Accountability

We hold ourselves accountable to the communities we serve — Baltimore, D.C., Prince George's, and Charles County.

Holistic Wellness

True stability requires attention to mind, body, and spirit. We address the whole person — not just the housing crisis.

Collective Strength

We believe in the power of sisterhood. Our community of women supports, mentors, and uplifts one another through every season.

What They Say

Voices of Transformation