Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington
Transforming Lives – One Step at a Time
On a very cold and rainy March 17, Jane Bishop, Arlington Lead Caseworker, picked up the phone to a very excited voice from a long-time Arlington Participant: “Miss Jane, Miss Jane, I got THE job!” In addition to landing a job, Ms. S has put in paperwork to move into a new apartment in April. It was a lucky day …
By Jane Bishop You may remember Johnny, a Mongolian immigrant, and Participant served by the Arlington office. We highlighted his success as an English-language learner who graduated from graduated from the Arlington Education & Employment Plan (REEP), which provides English classes to adults in Arlington. Instruction at REEP integrates language, U.S, culture, digital literacy, community involvement, and workforce preparedness into …
Charles Hopkins: “All In” Meet Charles Hopkins, a July 2020 graduate of Samaritan Ministry’s STRIVE job readiness training. As a returning citizen after 47 years of incarceration, Charles was immediately challenged to find employment and housing upon his release and re-entry to society. . With the help of his parole officer he found transitional housing, but just as importantly, Sophia …
Some readers of In Step will recognize Antoinette as a member of our Speaker’s Bureau. She was the featured participant at our 2020 Next Step Breakfast, and she has joined me on many occasions, speaking from the heart about her life experience and her time in the STRIVE job readiness training program. As a former Next Step participant and a former STRIVE graduate, Antoinette is …
Antoinette Green, a native Washingtonian, discovered Samaritan Ministry in 2018 through the Skyland Workforce Center, where she enrlled in our STRIVE job readiness training course. After a challenging and unstable childhood, at age 19 Antoinette became pregnant with her son, Andrew, who is now 3 years old. She graduated from high school two months before Andrew’s birth, but the challenges …
In mid-2017, Faye Busingye had a few goals in mind: learning how to improve her computer skills and finding better housing for herself. At Samaritan Ministry’s Silver Spring office, located at Church of Our Saviour, she found the people, support and resources she needed. A full-time Certified Nursing Assistant, Faye only had the chance to visit the Silver Spring office …
In 2015, Mr. Clarence Hooper wanted to make a change in his life. Rather than jump from temporary job to temporary job, he wanted full-time, lasting employment. After a long conversation with Gail Davis, our Lead Caseworker at the Northern Virginia office, Clarence’s first goal was set: get a job! Thus, he became a participant with Samaritan Ministry’s Next Step Program. Working …
In September of 2016, Mr. Robert Preucel (name changed) came to the Northwest office to meet with Lead Caseworker Annette Carver. Over the course of the long conversation, Robert explained that he had three goals: first, he wanted to get a better job! While currently employed as a part-time package handler with FedEx, Robert was striving for something more meaningful, …
Submitted by smgwcommunications on April 2, 2018 – 11:22am Wayne Pointer is a recent STRIVE graduate in the Next Step Program, and was this year’s featured participant speaker at the 2018 Next Step Breakfast! Originally from nearby Lanham, Maryland, Wayne had a solid middle-class childhood, but as a young adult he started using illegal drugs. That decision led him to more addictive drugs, and eventually to …
Every day, participants walk through the doors of Samaritan Ministry with a goal: achieving and building a better future for themselves and their families. Mr. Timothy Tyler is one of those participants. The oldest of five kids, he spent his childhood in and out of foster care; and his adulthood in and out of the prison system. After seeing his …