As the Need of Our Neighbors Grows, so does Your Support!

Photo at left by Sy Jones; others by Sarah Wood

Despite being short-staffed, Samaritan Ministry served 295 people during the first half of 2023, up from 241 during the same period of 2022.

Of these, 226 were seen regularly, as they were enrolled participants in the Next Step program, a jump from the 198 registered participants seen during the first six months of last year. The rest were visitors, many of whom were just not ready to commit to Next Step yet.

Thankfully, with pandemic restrictions discontinued, supporters like you are also stepping up to get more involved with Samaritan again this year. For example, partner parishes hosted Empower our Neighbors in Need (ENN) campaign events during every week of June 2023, up from two during the month of June last year.

Regular Samaritan volunteers also increased in number to 21 from 18 during this period, and we added two new staff caseworkers in June (see story later in this newsletter).

But we'll need to recruit another 15 or 20 volunteers as Samaritan fully reopens our offices, says Sy Jones, Samaritan's Volunteer Manager. And it will take considerable financial resources to complete our staff build-out. So we're counting on you, our partners, to play your invaluable role in helping us get us there!

As individuals and as collaborating congregations, every cash donation you make towards the ENN campaign between now and September 30th will be matched up to $100,000 by a group of generous donors.

Similarly, every new volunteer you invite to engage in mutual transformation through the exciting opportunities listed in the column at right will leverage Samaritan's impact. (See story below about Isaiah Poole to learn how exceptionally rewarding he's found volunteering with Samaritan to be.)

Finally, we're just reaching the midpoint of the campaign, so there's still time to organize new ENN events in your communities — please click here to learn how we can help you!

Volunteer Spotlight: Isaiah J. L. Poole

Photo of Isaiah Poole and Margaret, a student, by Sarah Wood

Isaiah Poole has had a long relationship with Samaritan Ministry, first as an active parishioner and donor at a founding partner parish, St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church, and later as a member of the Board of Directors. Now retired from his career as a journalist and communications professional, but still committed to advocating for systemic change, he jumped at the opportunity to serve as an Academic Tutor for Next Step adult basic education students in Congress Heights. He hit the classroom running.

When you come into the classroom, you will probably hear laughter, or someone saying “almost...” That is Isaiah. He always finds a relatable story or funny situation to incorporate into the lesson. Regardless of the subject being taught, he is always a great sport when it takes a student several tries to get a concept. He recognizes that working with adult learners takes lots of patience and acceptance of what they just don’t know. He also recognizes that some students never learned a particular concept and others only need a refresher. Either way, Isaiah meets them where they are, and he is always encouraging. 

The classroom can become competitive at times. The students look forward to having Isaiah available for a “phone a friend,” or Isaiah throwing them a lifeline.  

Isaiah has only been in the classroom a few months, but his commitment to the SMGW mission — the betterment of the participants and their overall success — is seen every day. His compassion and desire to see every student SHINE is reflected in his daily interactions with each student. He has definitely made an impact on the students. The experience of tutoring them has also had an impact on him. 

"It's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life," Poole says. — Demetria Savoy

Meet our New Caseworkers!

Photos of Crystal Warren and Gabby Reid by Sarah Wood

If you haven't met Crystal Warren and Gabrielle "Gabby" Reid yet, we'd like to introduce them to you!

Both women joined Samaritan in June, Crystal as Lead Caseworker for the SE-Anacostia and SE-Congress Heights offices, and Gabby as Associate Case Worker at Samaritan's Arlington location. 

Crystal has been employed in case management for 15 years, most recently at Housing Opportunities Unlimited, where she worked with relocating public housing residents. At Community Family Life Services, she assisted women who had experienced domestic violence and incarceration, and with So Others May Eat (SOME), she helped military veterans' families participating in the SOME housing program. 

Crystal holds Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice from North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. But the District is her hometown and, as a resident of Ward 8, Crystal especially appreciates the chance to give back to her community.

Gabby has had the opportunity to apply her Bachelor's in Human Development (summa cum laude) from the University of the District of Columbia to support and counsel DC families at several preschool settings. Most recently, she worked in teaching and administration for the U.S. House of Representatives Child Care Center.

Gabby also worked as a volunteer at New Hope Housing and at Samaritan Ministry. Since joining our staff, she has gotten right to work on new trainings to broaden her expertise — we'll share more about that soon!