Mission

Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington is a community partnership bringing together homeless people and others in need in Greater Washington with support and volunteers from Episcopal churches and other churches in a joint effort to improve the lives of all. Samaritan Ministry pursues this goal by:

• Promoting awareness of community needs,
• Fostering partnerships at all levels,
• Breaking down barriers imposed by poverty and
• Developing participant's abilities to help themselves to better lives.

Organizational Facts

SAMARITAN MINISTRY is a non-profit community organization with offices in the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia, dedicated to helping the homeless or others in need help themselves to improve their lives.  We provide many opportunities for volunteers to participate in this work.  We are governed by a Board of Directors drawn from over 30 Episcopal churches in the D.C. metropolitan area called Partner Parishes.  Samaritan Ministry operates independently from the churches and holds tax-exempt status.

THE Next Step PROGRAM

The Next Step Program is a unique self-help program that promotes change, dignity and independence in people who are in need. Samaritan Ministry caseworkers provide support in the areas of social service and employment while program participants take Next Steps toward their goals. A Next Step is a manageable task that is set by each program participant and documented by Samaritan Ministry.

SERVICES OFFERED

As a participant moves toward his or her goals, Samaritan Ministry provides a wide variety of support, according to the individual's needs:

Social Services

Program participants set goals and Next Steps in areas such as:

• Acquiring proper identification
• Securing medical appointments
• Entering a residential treatment program
• Applying for benefits
• Obtaining housing

Employment Services

Simultaneously, program participants may work with a caseworker to: 

• Complete employment workshops offered by Samaritan Ministry
• Obtain a resume
• Conduct a job search
• Prepare for interviews

Resources

Samaritan Ministry provides resources to those program participants taking strides to obtain their goals. Resources include but are not limited to:

• Clothing for interviews
• Hygiene and food products
• Referrals to community services
• Transportation assistance
• Message and mail services

 HIV/AIDS Support

Samaritan Ministry incorporated four programs from Episcopal Caring Response to AIDS (ECRA) in November of 2000 in order to broaden our service offerings to those individuals infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Programs include: bereavement counseling, support groups and burial assistance funds.

THE SUCCESS

Every month, Samaritan Ministry helps over 300 homeless or otherwise disadvantaged people to improve their lives, most of them on an ongoing basis. On average, three of every four Next Steps are started and finished. Each month 15 to 20 people find jobs with the help of Samaritan Ministry. Many successful former participants refer others to Samaritan Ministry or return to do volunteer work.

FUNDING

The latest annual budget shows an income of $986,000 which almost a quarter comes from Partner Parishes and more than a fifth from private individuals, through direct gifts or the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign. The balance of the funding comes from grants, corporate gifts, and the annual fundraising auction, which raises a full month's operating expenses. The bulk of our funds - about 90 percent- goes to our programs, including salaries for caseworkers and financial assistance to participants. The remainder of the budget covers administrative and fundraising expenses.