Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington
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.
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.
