Author: SMGW

2021 Gala: Celebrating 35 Years of Samaritan Ministry

Registration for Samaritan Ministry’s 35th Anniversary Gala is now live! SMGW’s 35th Anniversary Gala At 7pm on Saturday, November 6th , Join us live on Facebook or YouTube, OR from one of our partner watch parties for this year’s annual gala. Featuring: Emcees for the evening: Former SMGW Executive Director Ms. R. Carter Echols and current Board Member, the Rev. William B. Lewis Online Silent Auction featuring baskets assembled by SMGW Partner …

Remembering a Samaritan Saint: Robert Trautman

Robert Trautman lived a long and fulfilled life, but he also helped others do the same. After retiring from his correspondent position at Reuters, Robert Trautman learned about Samaritan Ministry through his parish, the Church of the Epiphany. “At my church, there was a notice on the board for volunteers at Samaritan Ministry. So, I started working there,” Robert said. He began volunteering with us in 1997 as …

March On for Voting Rights!

By Louise McCormick As a rural New Yorker by upbringing, the culture shock of coming to Washington, DC initially blew me away. For such a small area, Washington DC is remarkably passionate about telling and building our nation’s history and progress, with good reason– they are the home of our nation’s president, home to our national monuments, and home to …

ENN Tri-Parish Walk

On Saturday, Sept. 25, Samaritan Ministry, St. Columba’s, St. Alban’s, and Friends of the National Cathedral will gather to participate in a Samaritan Ministry ENN Community Walk!  ENN is Samaritan’s campaign to Empower our Neighbors in Need that invites Partner Churches and Schools to organize and engage to support SMGW’s mission.  At approximately 9:30, leaders from participating churches and SMGW will say a few words …

In Memory of Ellen Compton-Tejera

As an expression of her faith, Ellen Abbie Compton-Tejera served on the committee that organized and launched Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington (SMGW) in 1986. She subsequently served on the SMGW Board of Directors (1987 – 1991), representing St. Thomas Episcopal Church (DC), one of SMGW’s founding partner parishes. Her service on the Board culminated with being a Board officer, first as …

Volunteer Spotlight: Marsha Obusek

Marsha Obusek has been a Front Office Coordinator (FOC) at the Northwest office since 2017. She warmly welcomes participants, visitors and staff and has always been willing to go above and beyond. You can usually find her at the front office desk on Tuesdays, however, she can be seen on other days when she has answered the call to come …

The SMGW Partner Council Returns!

A total of 26 Partner Council members and staff gathered at St. Patrick’s Church on June 20 for our first in-person Partner Council meeting since January 2020, with great enthusiasm and delight at being together in person!  We were greeted by Karen Melchar, Partner Council member from St. Patrick’s, one of SMGW’s longstanding partner churches, and by Rev. Kurt Gerhard, St. Patrick’s Rector, who welcomed …

Christmas and Kwanzaa in July

Last Friday, Jane Bishop, the Lead Caseworker in our Arlington location, hosted a Christmas / Kwanzaa in July event for current and potential participants. It was a huge success as Jane and her team provided food, toiletries and COVID supplies (i.e. masks, hand sanitizer, etc.) to more than 35 participants and potential participants.

All Systems, GO!

It feels great to welcome back participants. We’re still not back to “normal” – whatever that is – but we have participants back indoors with us in a limited capacity, and as you’ll see later, they are glad to be back, too! We are also seeing more new people who are interested in learning about the Next Step Program as they begin exploring …