At SMGW’s Annual Partners’ Meeting on Jan. 28 @ Our Saviour Church in Silver Spring, 4 NEW Board members were elected and commissioned: Carl Keiser, a long-time volunteer instructor in our Pre-GED program; Errol Arthur, also an instructor in our Pre-GED program and a Partner Rep from Christ Lutheran Church, DC; Annie Scrimenti, a Partner Rep from Washington National Cathedral, DC; and, Paula Singleton, a member and active donor well-known to many from partner parish St. Luke’s, DC. Their brief bios follow below:
Errol Arthur resides in Washington, DC, with his wife, Violet and his three children and four grandchildren. He is a member of SMGW Partner Christ Lutheran Church where he serves as Co-Chair of the Stewardship Committee and volunteers in other aspects of the Church’s operations.
Errol is a graduate of Howard University where he earned an BA and MA in Sociology & Demography. He also earned a Diploma in Public Administration from the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership at the George Washington University. He is also a Certified Public Manager as well as a certified Trainer with Development Dimensions International.
He is currently retired from over thirty years of service with the District of Columbia Government. He served variously as Director of Training with the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Institute, Supervisory Manpower Development Specialist with the Department of Employment Services (DOES), and Associate Director and Director of Training & Organizational Development with the Department of Human Resources (DHR). While there he developed and managed the Capital City Fellows Program and the Certified Public Manager’s Program – both involved in the recruitment and training of senior managers for DC government service.
Currently he is a SMGW Partner Rep from Christ Lutheran Church, as well as a Volunteer Tutor in the NW office, leading the Pre-GED Training course which he has done for almost 3 years. He also volunteers with the Sanctuary Movement through SMGW Partner Washington National Cathedral. Errol is a current SMGW donor as well.
Annie Scrimenti has been a congregational member of SMGW partner Washington National Cathedral (WNC) since 2015. As a Samaritan Partner Rep since 2017, Annie attends WNC Outreach & Social Justice Committee meetings monthly to inform members of SMGW events and opportunities. Professionally, Annie works as a Health Policy Analyst / Congressional Relations Specialist with the California Rural Indian Health Board, a non-profit comprised of 52 federally recognized member Tribes along with Tribal Organizations and Tribal Health Programs throughout the state that provide healthcare to American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Since there is a special federal trust responsibility with Tribes, all healthcare funding for programs and services must go through federal appropriations. She thus represents the interests of member Tribes on Capitol Hill.
In addition to her role as Partner Rep, Annie has been overjoyed to hear personal narratives from participants, “all of whom were beyond grateful to SMGW for much needed encouragement and support to overcome tough challenges.” She also writes, “It was motivational to me as a Partner Rep to continue to increase awareness [among our Partner communities] of those experiencing homelessness.” Subsequently, Annie was asked by Council Convener Carol Coonrod to join the Partner Committee, where Carol chairs. Annie learned much about “day-to-day SMGW operations and the in-depth involvement with participants.” 2019 afforded her a unique role of serving on the Gala Committee, where she appreciated learning the details, necessary organization, and the tremendous work that goes into that event. Annie is a current donor of Samaritan Ministry as well.
Since 2018, Annie has been a policy volunteer and an Ambassador with the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Initiative (NOVA-HTI), providing human trafficking education for individuals and advocating for survivors. Earlier this year, she joined the Northern Virginia Coalition Against Human Trafficking to extend her policy/advocacy work in this field.
Carl Kaiser, a native of Washington, DC, and currently lives in Hyattsville, MD. At an early age Carl entered seminary to study for the priesthood as a Capuchin Franciscan Friar. After ten years in the seminary and monastery Carl found a different calling and went into education. He taught in Roman Catholic and public schools in the District of Columbia, earned a master’s degree in Guidance, and became a counselor in the public schools of Montgomery County, MD. During this time Carl met and married a colleague, Georgia. From this union came two daughters and three grandchildren.
After eighteen years in the Education field, Carl decided to put his counseling and interpersonal skills to use in the financial arena. He provided financial advising and offered investments, insurance and banking to clients. Carl also added tax preparation and planning to his repertoire. Carl retired from the financial planning arena recently but continues to serve as a tax preparer.
Carl attends St. John Baptist de la Salle Catholic Church, Hyattsville. He enjoys staying active, going to the gym, swimming and loves to travel. Carl has been a volunteer at Samaritan Ministry for 5 years, serving as a math teacher for the pre-GED program. He looks forward to engaging in a role as an organizational leader for the first time!
Paula Singleton understands the intricate details of housing development and management, having decades of experience managing multi-million-dollar properties for real estate development firms in the District of Columbia. Paula established effective procedures to expand and maintain a low-income, HUD-subsidized, multifamily apartment complex for more than 34 years while assuring investment partners that all tax credit and housing were being maintained. and that the asset was safe and appreciating.
A Howard University accounting graduate, Singleton has dedicated her time to improving her community through volunteer service since her retirement in 2006. She is an active member of SMGW Partner St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (DC), served for six years as Treasurer of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and is winding up her service on the Board of Seabury Resources for the Aging. She also serves as a member of the Episcopal Church Women – EDOW, and serves on the Board of Housing Up, formerly Transitional Housing Corporation.
Paula is an active giver and volunteer for Samaritan Ministry, often appearing at key events with St. Luke’s colleagues Audrey Thurman and Melanie Cooke. This experience has led her to consider leadership as well. Paul is a current donor to SMGW.
Congratulations NEW Board members – and Welcome!