The Calvary Connection
June 2019
" I just thank God that Calvary was there when I needed them because that's how I ended up where I am now, on my own again. ” - Clenitha, Sister Circle resident
Clenitha Comes Home
Before arriving at Calvary Women's Services , Clenitha was struggling with addiction and depression.

“ I was hopeless, homeless, and depressed. I didn’t know where I was going to get my help from .”

Six months after coming to Calvary she is fully sober, feeling hopeful, and living in her own apartment.

“ Calvary helped me get back on my feet. Now I’m in the Sister Circle program and I feel really good about my future. I have the strength to deal with life on life’s terms .”

Watch Clenitha and other members of Calvary's family tell their stories in our latest video "What Does Calvary Mean to You" . 
18th Annual Hope Awards Dinner - Wrap Up
Calvary Women’s Services honored leaders who empower and uplift women, and celebrated women who are working to overcome their homelessness during the 18th Annual Hope Awards Dinner. The even took place on May 8th at the Capital Hilton.

370 guests and more than 50 sponsors raised over $375,000 to benefit Calvary’s housing, health, education, and employment programs. Proceeds will also go toward launching the next phase of our expansion this summer.

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, this year’s Hope Award honoree, emphasized the importance of supporting Calvary’s work during her keynote address: 

"This mission takes all of us. Elected leaders can’t solve every issue. We need the help of our nonprofit partners on the ground, working to improve our community every single day to inspire hope, expand opportunities, and change lives for the better.”

During the program, hosted by Sasha-Ann Simons of WAMU, we also recognized the attorneys at Williams & Connolly as our Pro Bono Partner of the Year, and Hilton as our Partner of the Year. Both of these organizations have contributed tremendously to the success of our work at Calvary.

Check out photos from the event here, and read more about the inspirational evening on our website.
Volunteer Spotlight: Krystal Ramseur
Krystal Ramseur, a performer with the Washington Improv Theather (WIT), leads a weekly improvisation class for women experiencing homelessness as part of our education programs.

" Through storytelling and acting exercises, I help women gain confidence in self-expression and public speaking. "

We had a chance to catch up with Krystal after one of her dynamic classes. Read her full interview about leading improvisation with women at Calvary on our website.
Cocktails for Calvary on Capitol Hill
Join us at our next Cocktails for Calvary event on Thursday, June 13th from 6 to 8 PM at the rooftop lounge of Cava Mezze. Enjoy signature cocktails and classic Greek hors d'oeuvres in DC's historic Capitol Hill neighborhood.

We’ll come together to celebrate women overcoming homelessness and enjoy the weather of early summer.

This is a great opportunity to invite friends, family, coworkers, and other networks to learn more about Calvary’s mission and the women we serve. Be sure to bring a friend (or two!). Tickets are $25 each. You’ll also receive a discount when you purchase two or more tickets.
June Open House
You're invited to visit our facility on Good Hope Road in Anacostia. Join us this Friday, June 7th from 9 to 11 AM to hear inspirational stories about the women we serve. This is a wonderful opportunity to see our programs for yourself firsthand and to learn about all the ways you can get involved and make a difference for women at Calvary.

Guests will be taken on a tour by a staff member. Please RSVP here so we know you're coming.
Celebrating Hilton's 100th Anniversary
We had a lovely visit from team members at The Madison, a Hilton Hotel. Volunteers served a delicious breakfast to women at Calvary in honor of Hilton's 100th Anniversary.

We are grateful to Hilton for their continued partnership and their dedication to empowering homeless women to achieve their goals. Check out photos from the breakfast here .
A Fun, Exciting Way to Support Calvary:
Is your birthday coming up soon? Are you active on Facebook? If so, you can set up a Facebook fundraiser and donate your birthday to Calvary!

Facebook fundraisers are a great way to tell Calvary’s story – what happens here, who we’re serving, our impact on the community and more. Sharing why you are passionate about Calvary can connect your friends and family to our work. It’s another way you can help us fulfill our mission of ending homelessness, inspiring hope, and transforming lives.

Check out our Facebook Fundraiser Toolkit for a step-by-step guide on getting set up, and learn about best practices for getting the most out of your fundraiser. For more information, please contact David Lothamer at [email protected]
Calvary Women's Services
202-678-2341