President's Blog
A Historic Honor for Our President & CEO, Jean-Michel Giraud
France Recognizes a Lifelong Advocate for Justice and Human Dignity
We’re thrilled to share some incredible news that fills the entire Friendship Place community with pride and gratitude.
Our President and CEO, Jean-Michel Giraud, has been named a Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur—the highest civilian recognition bestowed by the French government. This prestigious honor, created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, is awarded for outstanding civil or military service and is often compared to a British knighthood.
A Lifetime of Service
Jean-Michel’s work has always been guided by a powerful belief: that every person deserves to live with dignity and to be treated with respect. For more than 40 years, he has dedicated his career to transforming systems and lives—from his early work advocating for the deinstitutionalization of mental health care, to becoming a national voice for the Housing First movement.
For the past 17 years, he has led Friendship Place with remarkable vision and compassion. Under his leadership, we’ve grown from a small, neighborhood-based initiative to a recognized leader in the fight to end homelessness in the Washington, D.C., metro area and beyond. His commitment to results-driven, person-centered solutions has inspired countless professionals, policymakers, and advocates to think differently—and act boldly.
A Moment of Global Recognition
This moment is not just a personal milestone for Jean-Michel—it’s a collective one. It shines a light on the power of community-driven change, on the importance of compassion in leadership, and on the global relevance of the fight for housing justice.
We at Friendship Place could not be more proud to see our leader honored in this way. It’s a testament to the integrity, dedication, and courage Jean-Michel brings to his work every single day.
Join Us in Celebrating
We invite you to join us in congratulating Jean-Michel on this extraordinary achievement. His journey continues to inspire us all to work toward a future where homelessness is rare, brief, and nonrecurring—and where everyone has a place to call home.
Thank you, Jean-Michel, for your unwavering leadership, your belief in human dignity, and your tireless service. Félicitations!
Read the Ambassador’s presentation for Jean-Michel here.
