Samaritan Ministry Celebrates its 20th!

This year, Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington celebrates 20 years of progressive and dedicated service to residents in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Reaching this milestone testifies to the spirit, energy and commitment of many individuals who answered the call to serve others. As Christians, we are reminded to "walk in love as Christ loved us." For many, these challenging words are recited, but not observed. Others use them as a compass to guide their lives. To appreciate fully the value of this message and its powerful influence on SMGW's development, we must look backward.

Likely, the idea emerged as a response to the most troubling of human conditions: Suffering. Ignoring indifference and tepidity, empathetic individuals living in the community surrounding St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal church in Washington, DC, were alert to the distressed faces of their neighbors, and inspired by Luke's Gospel parable of the Good Samaritan, determined things could be made better. T his collection of parishioners, guided by their rector, The Reverend Dr. Jack Woodard, began providing aid and support to their troubled neighbors, thus giving birth to Samaritan Ministry.  The year 1985 was a turning point for the fledging ministry. Until then, services  provided by Samaritan Ministry were simple and severely limited by resource constraints. A call to other parishes for further resources led to a fundamental change in the Ministry's structure. It was obvious that the growing demand for services from one small community could not be borne by one parish. Equally apparent was the growing need for similar services across the region. At the suggestion of The Reverend Dr. Frank Wade, rector of St. Alban's Episcopal Church, a series of meetings with leaders among metropolitan area Episcopal churches led to decisions that would transform Samaritan Ministry forever. A consortium of parishes prepared the legal foundation and new vision for a partnership and Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington was officially incorporated on January 1, 1986. Over the years, Samaritan Ministry expanded its presence in the metropolitan area opening offices in NW and SE Washington, DC and Arlington, VA. Through its Next Steps program, an innovative counseling methodology providing dignified support to individuals in need, and by developing partnerships with organizations of compatible mission, SMGW continues to help transform lives and strengthen communities.

Message from the Bishops of Washington and Virginia The year 2006 is a time of special celebration in the Diocese of Washington and the Diocese of Virginia as Samaritan Ministry celebrates its 20th Anniversary. Samaritan Ministry has brought a unique and valuable dimension to the Episcopal church's social service ministry. Samaritan Ministry traces its origin and continued success to the action and support taken by the body of Episcopal Churches in Washington, DC and Northern Virginia. What began in a single Episcopal parish in a distressed neighborhood of Washington, DC has developed into a Greater Washington partnership of over 45 parishes, with a unique approach that has enabled thousands of people in need to improve their lives. Today, Samaritan Ministry's mission, message and educational outreach is needed more than ever in the metropolitan community. Anniversaries relish the past, celebrate the present and look forward to the years ahead. Anniversaries are times of thanksgiving and celebration. We wish Samaritan Ministry's staff, volunteers and supporters well in the year-long schedule of events and activities planned to celebrate your 20th anniversary and in years to come. The Rt. Rev. John Bryon Chane, DD Bishop of Washington The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, DD Bishop of Virginia

Throughout the coming year, we will host several informative and festive gatherings designed to celebrate the birthday of this extraordinary ministry and "spread the word" about its good works. Please join us!

Samaritan Ministry's Third Decade Goals

As Samaritan Ministry cele­brates its 20th Anniversary, it looks ahead to its third decade with excitement and enthusiasm. Samaritan Ministry has identified four broad groups of initiatives - Improved Service to Our Participants, Enhanced Education, Outreach and Advocacy, Expanded Partnerships and Sustained Financial Stability - that define our most pressing priorities for the future. Each goal strives to unite participants, community and volunteers in support of Samaritan Ministry's mission.

Improved Service to Our Participants:

• Reaching out to more participants in underserved areas of the Washington, DC metropolitan area, with special attention to the unmet needs of immigrants and others whom we do not currently serve.
• Addressing changing participant needs more effectively, tapping new resources to help participants take next steps to better lives.
• Providing more effective follow-up services to participants who have achieved some of their short-term goals, helping them maintain their success and continue working on longer-term goals.
• Enhancing the effectiveness of our staff, including volunteers, through increased training and opportunities for professional development.

Enhanced Education, Outreach and Advocacy:

• Utilizing a broader range of volunteers in new and different ways.
• Encouraging and supporting students and their families to make positive choices regarding service and advocacy, promoting service-learning experiences.
• Developing more effective ways to be advocates for living-wage jobs, affordable housing and adequate services for the poor, the homeless, and the unemployed.

Expanded Partnerships:

• Developing partnerships with a broader range of public and private organizations.
• Expanding partner parish involvement in support of the Next Step program in ways that complement parish outreach objectives.
• Working with partner parishes and others to develop a comprehensive approach to those who come us to in need of financial assistance.

Sustained Financial Stability:

• Increasing the long-term financial sustainability of our organization, including expanding and diversifying our funding sources.

We invite you to join us as we build on the accomplishments of the last 20 years. We look forward with anticipation that, with your support, these goals and initiatives for the next decade will be achieved.

Samaritan Ministry Celebrates ...

... the Next Step Program

As Samaritan Ministry enters its 20th year, it is an appropriate time to ask the question, "Why has the Next Step Program been so successful?" Over the course of 20 years in practice, caseworkers, staff and interns have had the satisfaction of watching countless participants use this practical method to create lasting change. Though each participant comes with very different individual needs, they have applied the same basic principles to improve their lives. Next Steps is something of an open secret. It is one that has been circulating for thousands of years. The secret is as simple as walking-one step at a time.
This fundamentally simple process helps people change the resistance in their lives-making small moves toward employment, education and housing. Each step accomplished leads the participant comfortably to a second step, and then a third step and so on until one day a change has been mastered.

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a first step."-Lao Tzu

The beauty and challenge of the Next Step Program is that it requires a certain element of faith-faith in one's mind and body to carry them where they need to go. By taking small steps over time instead of expecting dramatically large change to occur rapidly, a person's mental compass is changed, allowing the change to accumulate bit-by-bit, step-by-step. This is the methodology that Samaritan Ministry is celebrating. Instead of forcing our participants into a rigid mentality about change, we give them permission to take the lead on their own schedule, in their own time.
The Next Step Program is not just for program participants. Next Step invites us all to see life as an opportunity for continuous improvement. And as Norman Lear once said, " What more important task does this life hold than to draw out the possibility in each moment?"

Samaritan Ministry's Special  Anniversary Events

20th Anniversary Gala

Now that we have caught our breath, we wanted to give you an update about SMGW's tremendously successful 20th Anniversary Gala. See photos from the Gala

More then 265 people attended SMGW's 20th Anniversary Gala and the event raised close to $75,000.

The Gala was wonderful because of all the hard work and participation from so many. It was truly a team effort of a large group of talented, committed, and giving people. Although many of us come from different walks of lives and backgrounds we are all united on our desire to follow God and help our neighbors in need. One of our Gala honorees sent us letter after the Gala and said SMGW is "a singular organization representing the very best of the mission responsibility of the Episcopal Church."…And stating: "The triumph (of the Gala) was really a witness, (and) might well seed victory by the forces of reconciliation and unity."  For more information, contact Diane Aten, Director of Development, at daten@samaritanministry.org or 202-722-2280 x304.

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Artists! Illustrators! Photographers! Doodlers! Poets!
(Students! Professionals! Amateurs!)

Homelessness Awareness Arts Contest

In the months leading up to Samaritan Ministry's 20th Anniversary, and the advent of our third decade, we've let our imaginations run wild thinking about the future; so now let your imagination run wild!
Just like the work of Samaritan Ministry, art has the power to inspire feelings of hope, fulfillment and happiness. Art can say that even in the most difficult of circumstances, there are people and places of hope. We are searching for artwork, images and poetry that are unique, original and capture the essence of Samaritan Ministry's mission and the biblical story of the Good Samaritan.
Submitted artwork entries will be judged based on imagination, creativity and relevance to one or more aspects of the Samaritan Ministry mission or the story of the Good Samaritan in seven different categories. First and second place cash prizes and third place gift certificates will be awarded. Winners will receive recognition during a special service at the National Cathedral on October 14, 2006.
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National Cathedral Service and Picnic

Samaritan Ministry will celebrate its 20th Anniversary with a special service on October 14th at the Washington National Cathedral. The service will include a special liturgy and representation from our Partner Parishes. Following this special service of celebration, music and fellowship, there will be a festive picnic on the grounds of the National Cathedral for participants, staff and supporters. Save the date!
For more information on all of our 20th Anniversary events, please visit our website at www.samaritanministry.org

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