Unfortunately, for hundreds of children living in emergency shelters or housing programs, and thousands more in poverty, beginning the year prepared and privileged is an unattainable dream due to their families’ financial difficulties.

For these reasons and more, CHGM is proud to announce that with the help of our donors and greater Capitol Hill community, our Annual Back-To-School Backpack distribution has helped assist 296 children in our community.

“The kids are very excited around this time of the year because they get a chance to feel their new tools and back packs and it makes them want to work and learn. They love them.” said one mother in CHGM’s Shelter Plus Care program.

As in previous years, CHGM partnered with local schools, recreation centers, and churches to identify families in need.  Thanks to the generous support of local organizations, churches, individual donors, and a major donation from the Points of Light Volunteer Capitol Hill day, CHGM was able to supply local children with new backpacks and school supplies to last the year.

“Exceeding last year’s distribution numbers would not have been possible without your support. I appreciate your commitment and dedication to CHGM and the families we serve,” said Shelah Wilcox Special Events Coordinator for CHGM.

Without the incredible support from both individuals and organizations, such as Emory Fellowship, E*Trade, St. Marks, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, and St Monica St. James, this year’s Backpack Event would not have been such a large success. Thank You!

The Stevens, a family of five, entered CHGM’s CBSP in the winter of 2010. Prior to coming to the program, all five individuals were renting one bedroom out of a friends house. With the many physical challenges the family suffers; one child wheel chair bound, and another child with autism, there was just no space to accommodate their needs. So much so that Ms. Stevens had to put her son into a facility that could better meet his needs as she was longer able to care for him under the current conditions. Because of the stresses that came with this decision and many others, Ms. Stevens suffered a mild heart attack.

After recovering for a little over a month, Ms. Stevens was determined to “get her life and her family back.” She went to the Virginia Williams Resource Center in hopes of someone finding placement for them. After waiting months, a call was received informing her that a handicap accessible unit was located and the family should prepare to move immediately.

Once arriving and moving into the handicap unit, Ms. Stevens was overwhelmed with joy and felt like “God had answered her prayers.” Although Ms. Stevens understood that the unit was only a shelter, she was relieved that her family could now begin to “breathe.” The unit provided the space needed to accommodate all needs and now everyone even had their own bedroom.

After months of case management and individual counseling Ms. Stevens began to make progress and her children began to show signs of improvement. In the summer of 2011 Ms. Stevens was informed that she and her family would be moving into a fully renovated handicap accessible apartment. Ms. Stevens expressed excitement, and gratitude. Although she had been grateful for the shelter, she was happy to be moving into the apartment.

Finally, while still under the care of CHGM, Ms. Stevens received notice from DC Housing that her name came up to receive a housing voucher. After months of searching, Ms. Stevens moved for the last time into a permanent, fully renovated 4 bedroom handicap accessible unit in January of 2013.

Ms. Stevens credits her progress to CHGM. In her own words, “CHGM has saved my life and I will always be grateful. Thank you for making me feel like I am a part of society again.” Although Ms Stevens’ family has many physical challenges, she is determined that she will take full advantage and use wisely her ” second chance.”

Because of your generosity, support, and compassion, Capitol Hill Group Ministry’s (CHGM) 2012 Thanks-GIVING Food Basket Program was successful in serving a Thanksgiving Day Feast to more than 1,480 members of our Capitol Hill community.

In keeping with the unfortunately growing trend over the past several years, CHGM received record demand in requests from the community for thanksgiving food baskets. Starting as early as August, calls and emails from community members in need began flooding CHGM’s inboxes.

Many of the parents and grandparents reaching out to CHGM explained how unemployment and dwindling public benefits have left them with little opportunity to provide a special meal for their families. One grandmother commented that her household had 9 people living together and they simply did not know where else they could turn for help. Many calls came from concerned neighbors who were just looking for information that might help their friends who have fallen on hard times.

Throughout the October and November months our Shirley’s Place Day Center office was filled with neighbors in need submitting their requests, conducting need assessment interviews, and checking on the status of their name on the waiting lists.

Thankfully, CHGM’s congregational partners, our local community based groups, the Capitol Hill Businesses, and many individual sponsors heard the community’s call for help and were able to answer it. Longtime friends and partners such as Mothers on the Hill (MOTH), St. Monica & St. James, and Christ Church Washington Parish all made significant contributions to help CHGM keep up with this year’s demand.

Beyond the large groups that made contributions, individual sponsorships significantly increased over previous years. Well over 80% of this year’s food basket donations came from individual donors sponsoring either 1 or 2 families.

Shelah Wilcox, CHGM’s Special Events Manager, commented that “CHGM truly made an impact and difference for so many families this Thanksgiving despite the high demand.”  She added that “With the help of our partners, sponsors, and the numerous volunteers, it’s incredible to know that 1,480 of our neighbors were able to sit down to a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.”

The success of the 2012 Thanks-Giving Food Basket Program has given all of Capitol Hill something to be thankful for. For a holiday depicted by Norman Rockwell as being one celebrating our freedom from want, your contributions and participation has turned his idealistic holiday portrayal into a reality for so many. So congratulations sponsors, donors, friends, and neighbors for helping make this year’s food basket drive the best one to date.

CLICK HERE to read about CHGM’s Thanks-GIVING Basket Program in the December 2012 issue of Street Sense

Capitol Hill Group Ministry (CHGM) held our 9th Annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service on Sunday, November 18th, at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church.

The 9th Annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service celebrated CHGM’s 45th year of faithful partnership with the community. During our celebration of service, we recognized and spotlighted outstanding neighborhood volunteers and the causes they have championed through the gifts of their time, talent, voice, and expertise to help strengthen the Capitol Hill community.

This years’ service included the recognition of 18 outstanding volunteers, the Volunteer Taxpayer Clinic, and the 2nd Annual Ruth Rappaport Wisdom award honoree Durinda O’Brien.

Volunteer services ranged from the running of local food banks and meal programs to visiting sick and shut-in neighbors in our community. Nominated by their home congregations, each volunteer has made great strides in upholding CHGM’s motto to “Serve the Community, One Neighbor at a Time”.

CHGM proudly acknowledged the 40 years of faithful and dependable service that the Free Tax
Clinic has given to the Capitol Hill community. Founded by Rick Halberstein and Former CHGM Executive Director Rev. Ed Goode, the volunteer-led Tax Clinic brought an important service free of charge to neighbors who could not afford mainstream tax companies or simply needed
the extra care and attention of a friendly professional.

Finally, the Ruth Rappaport Wisdom award, which honors volunteers who have displayed remarkable warmth, wisdom, and commitment to the Capitol Hill Community, was awarded to Durinda O’Brien. When Durinda O’Brien joined CHGM’s Board of Directors in 2006, she immediately joined the Executive Committee and the team that led the search to hire our current Executive Director, Barfonce Baldwin.

As Board Treasurer, she was instrumental in putting “best practices” into place to get CHGM financially fit. She later took over as President, where her leadership and expertise led the organization to greater community recognition, including as a finalist for the 2011 “Hilly” award for outstanding non-profit.

Rindy finished her Board term at the end of 2011, but she still actively participates and consistently gives of her time. CHGM is just one of her many passions—she has been active in numerous non-profits and is a prolific writer and photographer. She has been an asset to CHGM, the Capitol Hill community, and a friend to all.