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While increasing numbers of folks are getting vaccinated (more than 20% of the population in the District at the time of this writing!) the pandemic is far from over.  It remains a harrowing time for our participants as they continue to be disproportionately affected by the pandemic, in addition to being disproportionately affected by our nation’s ongoing struggle with systemic racism and gun violence.   So, as we begin to think of summer, we call on YOU – our Samaritan …

Despite the many challenges that were thrown at us by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is hard not to view the year as a great success. Over and over, you heard the word ‘pivot’ used to describe how we were adapting to the changing landscape brought on by COVID-19 and finding ways to engage our participants despite the obstacles.  The various charts you see really help to illustrate all …

Please join me in pausing to remember a true Samaritan Ministry Saint – Irene B. Shelton. Irene played a critical role in developing our Pre-GED program from 2012 – 2016, in addition to being an outstanding volunteer who cared deeply about our participants.  In 2013, just a year after she joined us as a volunteer Pre-GED Instructor, we presented Irene with Samaritan Ministry’s Change Agent Award for her dedication and effort on behalf of the organization.  Irene was tireless and provided hundreds …

In January, we welcomed back Ruby Wilson (our 2020 Summer Communications Intern) as a paid member of the staff!  Ruby is taking a break from school until she can return in person. She had completed the first semester of her sophomore year at Howard University last fall where she is working on a B.B.A. in Marketing and is a participant of the Executive Leadership Honors Program. Ruby is a 2019 graduate of Wheaton High School …

On January 26, SMGW held its first-ever virtual Annual Meeting over Zoom, with strong participation – about 30 Partner Representatives participated. At the Annual Meeting, the Executive Director reports to the Partner Council on the prior year’s results (both programmatic and financial), and presents the approved budget for the coming year, and the Partner Council elects the new Board members officers. At …

William (Bill) Kenety was the recipient of the Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington 2020 Above and Beyond Volunteer Award for his service in the Northwest DC office. The award is given annually to the volunteer who exhibits extraordinary dedication and compassion in his/her service to others and demonstrates the core values of the organization and its mission.    Bill has been a …

Building on the success of last year’s virtual Next Step Breakfast, at which we raised more than $200,000, this year’s breakfast will be a Saturday morning virtual brunch, emceed by Yamiche Alcindor of the PBS NewsHour.   We will be using the Remo platform for this event that will allow partners and guests to mingle and gather at tables—as if we are together in person! …

By Jeff Hale A few weeks ago, we had the experience of producing our first-ever virtual Gala, Together in Spirit, Onward in Action! and it was a great success. As of November 30, the Gala had been viewed over 1,000 times by people from across the U.S. and around the world. When the dust settled, we exceeded our ambitious fundraising …