In Step

November 2022

St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church DC, Day School, with loaded gift bags for participants

Kicking off the Holidays

The week before Thanksgiving began our annual holiday giveaway at Samaritan Ministry’s NW DC, NOVA/Arlington, and Anacostia-SE DC locations!

Wednesday, November 23^rd concluded the Thanksgiving giveaway as we prepare for Christmas. Special thanks to St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church DC, Day School and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Arlington for the Thanksgiving essentials food bags and gift cards. Additional giveaway items included winter clothing provided by GFTH (Gifts For The Homeless).

Gala 2022 Recap

On Saturday, November 5^th we had our first in-person Gala since 2019! The 36^th annual Gala, titled Equipping for Change, celebrated our shared ministry while raising funds for our participant programs. With your help, we raised over $100,000 for participants in our Next Step and STRIVE programs!

Highlights included our annual Gala award ceremony where we honored community members Benjamin T. Morgan with Outstanding Achievement for his work in the Next Step program as well as realtor Karen Ringo who received the Compassionate Samaritan award for assisting former participant Ken Harris sell his Habitat home, and St. Columba’s Episcopal Church as our 2022 Outstanding Partner Parish.

Additionally, we had over 2 dozen auction baskets donated by our partner churches, schools, and individuals which sold out by the close of the silent auction. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the 2022 annual Gala especially this year’s Gala Sponsors.

Holiday Donation and Volunteer Needs:

Gift Cards (grocery preferred)
Front Office Coordinator (FOC) for Northwest, Anacostia/Southeast and NOVA/Arlington Offices
Closet Coordinator

Calling All Partner Churches and Schools:

As Partners of Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington, you can get 2023 off to a great start by helping replenish our gift card inventory!

Between now and December 31^st, please consider conducting a gift card drive to benefit our participants in the coming year. Throughout the coming year, these gift cards will provide our participants with the means to purchase food, clothes, toiletries, and access to public transportation.

Participant Highlight: Tyrone King

In the next 1-2 weeks, you should receive a letter in the mail from us, telling you the story of Next Step participant and STRIVE graduate, Tyrone King. It’s an inspiring story and we hope you'll read it and respond!