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Friends of Samaritan Ministry
Friends of Samaritan Ministry is a group organized at St. Columba’s to support the work of Samaritan Ministry. Samaritan Ministry is an organization that was started 20 years ago by a group of Episcopal Churches to assist individuals in identifying and achieving goals that will help them overcome or avoid homelessness, such as getting a job, finishing their education, overcoming addiction. St. Columba’s is one of the Partner Parishes that support the work of Samaritan Ministry, both financially and with our volunteer efforts. Friends of Samaritan Ministry consists of a core group of parishioners who help organize the volunteer efforts and many more parishioners who participate. All ages are welcome and no special skills or background is needed.
Every Sunday we collect the food donations brought to church and deliver them to Samaritan Ministry. Other regular events include: collecting toys and clothes and helping to put on a Christmas party for homeless families and assisting with the fundraising Gala in the spring. In addition, Samaritan Ministry works closely with the Transitional Housing Corporation, which provides apartments at two units called Partner Arms in which persons moving out of homelessness can live for two years. Every few years, St. Columba’s adopts an apartment and completely refurnishes it for a new family. Finally, there are opportunities for individuals to get involved. Individuals can assist caseworkers on a regular basis at one of the three Samaritan Ministry offices or respond to particular needs—such as helping kids with a garden at Partner Arms—that we announce through our email list. Samaritan Ministry recently announced a new weekend volunteer opportunity—to go to the lunch programs offered by St. Columba’s and others and tell people about the Samaritan Ministry program. Training is provided for those interested.
Meetings have been largely on an as-needed basis, but we hope this year to coordinate with other of St. Columba’s urban ministries and offer a regular bimonthly meeting to keep everyone apprised of important issues and upcoming events. The time commitment is whatever you have to offer.
Learn more about Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington.
Contact: Elizabeth Taylor, David
DeBruin
Staff Contact: Rose Duncan