THEARC West, host of SMGW's Gala 2023 on November 4th

We Can't Wait to See You at Samaritan's Gala 2023!

Do you have your tickets yet for Samaritan Ministry's exciting GALA 2023 at Town Hall Education Art Recreation Campus (THEARC) West on November 4th?

Register at this link for just $75 per person — a price that reflects our commitment to promoting accessibility and equity in everything we do!

From 5:30 to 8:30pm, we'll be offering abundant hors d'oeuvres, drinks, both silent and live auctions, our annual awards, and a cocktail-party format to allow you maximal opportunities to mingle and meet everyone in the Samaritan Ministry community.

As an organization that operates two offices of our own in Southeast DC as well as being a co-founder and resident partner of Skyland Workforce Center — an affiliate of Building Bridges Across the River (BBAR), which founded THEARC — Samaritan shares BBAR's vision of building real bridges of racial, social, and economic equity across the river, and we could not be more excited to hold our Gala at THEARC.

If you've been to Bishop Walker School, you're already familiar with THEARC complex. But if it's new to you, you're in for a treat: THEARC is a beautiful, state-of-the art campus with onsite parking and it's truly fulfilling its founders' mission.

Thank you, Gala Sponsors!

As of press-time for this newsletter, a diverse group of individuals, corporations, friend groups, couples, and organizations had stepped up to provide more than $40,000 in Gala sponsorships, getting us almost halfway to our goal of $100,000!

We're especially grateful to Virginia-based research and consulting firm Independent Project Analysis, which is currently our anchor sponsor after signing on to underwrite $25,000 of the event's cost.

Still, we have $60,000 more to raise in the next 11 days, so please go to this link now or before October 26th if you're thinking of becoming a gala sponsor yourself and would like to see all the benefits you'd receive! Questions? Please contact Executive Director Rev. David B. Wolf at 202-722-2280 x310 or dwolf@samaritanministry.org.

Rachel Bowling joins Samaritan from Episcopal Community Services in San Francisco

Please welcome Rachel Bowling, a passionate and experienced social worker and decorated Army National Guard veteran who joined Samaritan Ministry on October 10th as Lead Caseworker for Northwest and Northeast DC, based in our Hamilton Street office.

Rachel's arrival fills a key position on our program team, but would-be applicants should know that Samaritan is still seeking qualified candidates for Program Director, Development Director, and STRIVE Trainer. See this link for more on the open positions.

Most recently, Rachel was a Rapid Rehousing Stabilization Specialist with Episcopal Community Services in San Francisco. In that role, she provided intensive support to unhoused people who had received two-year housing subsidies, helping them find market-rate housing, employment, and needed community resources. 

Previously, she worked with the Richmond Area Multi-services' Street Crisis Response Team, directing and providing a behavioral health response to 911 calls regarding outdoor mental health and substance use crises. And prior to that, she was a substance use disorder counselor with HealthRight360, also in San Francisco. 

"I was attracted to Samaritan Ministry by its mission, and continued to pursue the interview process because of its people," Rachel says. "I’m thrilled at the opportunity to work alongside such dedicated and loving [colleagues] in the reciprocal processes of connection, healing, and growth."

Conor James, Volunteer Caseworker at Samaritan Ministry, Reflects on his experience

My name is Conor James, and I am just beginning a year with Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington as a casework intern, cross-training between our Anacostia, Southeast DC and Arlington, Virginia locations.

After growing up in Upstate New York, I went to Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island, in pursuit of a liberal arts education that would expose me to a variety of worldviews and ideas. I majored in Classics. The year ahead of me will be an entirely new level of exposure to diverse points of view through one-on-one interactions with the participants who walk through our doors in search of someone to take the time to collaborate with them as they accomplish their next goals...