On May 6, 2009, over 300 friends, neighbors, and consumers came together at Washington Hebrew Congregation to share a wonderful breakfast provided and prepared by the management and service staff of the new Courtyard by Marriott Chevy Chase.

The Breakfast kicked off with Garret Porter singing "This Little Light of Mine," which got the audience singing and clapping along. Then, Executive Director Jean-Michel Giraud shared with the guests Friendship Place's many successes of the past year and its vision for the future.

Two consumers were brave enough to share their stories at the Breakfast.  In a span of just two years, Larry Williams was downsized, forced to close his neighborhood boxing gym for youths, separated from his family, lost his vision, and finally moved to a shelter. After getting an apartment through the Neighbors First program in Fall 2008, Larry reunited with his wife and has had brain surgery to treat a tumor behind his eye.

Thank you to all the sponsors, donors, and honorees for making this year's Benjamin Cooper Awards a fabulous night. Over 140 people came together to celebrate five very special people.

The 2008 honorees: Joan Janshego, Dr. Amy Kossoff, Julian Mansfield, Jim Nathanson, Peter Spalding