In the winter of 1983, the Calvary Baptist Church in Chinatown opened its basement to homeless women. More than two decades later, what was intended to be a temporary overflow shelter has blossomed in Calvary Women’s Services, helping 150 homeless women each year to get back on their feet.
Now located on the corner of 5th and K Streets NE, the non-profit organizations offers a safe environment while providing support services and new hope.
“Women come in with their own goals,” said Development Director Heather Laing.”They want to live independently or enter job training or reunite with families.”
Although it operates on a shoestring budget of $800,000, Calvary boasts a significant record of success. One-third of its clients each year move on to transitional or permanent housing.
“We’re very proud of that statistic,” said Laing.”A good number of women who come here may stay less than a month.”
The shelter provides short-term housing and support services for 25 women, while two of its programs fill different housing needs. “Sister Circle” offers permanent housing for 10 women in recovery from substance addiction, and “Pathways” gives 10 chronically homeless women a chance to learn the skills of independent living.
Each of the residents is assigned a case manager to help determine their needs: DO they need to enter a rehab program, see a psychiatrist, or spend some time with a therapist to help work some things out?
“We see a lot of people who come and realize they’re not ready for the program yet,” said Laing.
But by following its dual motto – “A safe, caring place for tonight; Support, hope and change for tomorrow” – Calvary Women’s Services is making a difference.
Each pair of beds in the dormitory is separated by a partition for a measure of privacy. Residents decorate their side of the “room” with family photographs, stuffed animals, and other personal items. Many a pillow at Calvary props up a dog-eared copy of the Holy Bible.
Women can stay at the shelter as long as they like, provided they follow the rules. They must work with their case manager to achieve their goals, stay sober (support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are on site), observe curfews, and maintain a respectful attitude towards other residents.
If they have any income, they must set aside one-third in a savings account. While there are no limitations on what they do with the savings upon leaving the shelter, the fund has helped many clients settle into new homes.
Some of them are employed at Calvary. The STRIDE Program (Search Together to Resume Dignified Employment) employs four women each year as a resume building exercise. Three jobs, two on the cleaning staff and one as a chef, are reserved for women who were formerly homeless.
Cleaning staff positions last three to six months, while the chef job (which requires graduation from a local culinary training program such as the D.C> Central Kitchen) lasts a year.
“Some people have been out of the workforce so long they need a place to start and develop their job skills, to arrive on time and work well with a supervisor – the sort of skills that a lot of people take for granted,” said Laing.
But it’s not all work and no play at Calvary. The shelter hosts daily recreational events, including art classes, craft-making sessions, poetry readings, and movie nights.
Calvary received an honorable mention in 2002 for the Washington Post Award for Excellence in Non-Profit Management, a project of the Washington Council of Agencies.
Eighty-six percent of its revenue goes directly towards support services for homeless women. About 40% of Calvary’s funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the District of Columbia. Individual donors, foundations, religious organizations, and corporations supply the rest.
The agency relies on a core of 75 volunteers to serve as evening assistants, overnight supervisors, and weekend cooks. Professionals offer pro bono services such as legal and accounting assistance. For information on volunteer opportunities, contact Ericka Ransom at (202) 783-6651 or [email protected].
