Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency Needs, Inc.
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I had a wonderful experience working with the Amen organization raising money to help families in need in Arlington, by training and running in the Parkway Classic 10 mile race. Everyone was cheerful and gave their time for the cause. With the economy still hurting, so many families are in worse financial straights than I could ever imagine being in myself. When I would ask my friends and family to support Amen by donating towards my run, I was surprised at the outpouring of generosity. If every community stood by those in need, we would all benefit. AMEN is a truly honorable organization striving to do just that, helping our neighbors in need.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
When I raised money through the Parkway Classic race, I was happy with the results. I felt the money was going to an extremely good cause, helping my Arlington neighbors in need.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
i would help it expand and be able tohave more outreach programs for the community.
Once a month, I answer the phone calls we receive from Arlington County social workers requesting funds to help Arlington County residents (our neighbors) through a rough period. We provide emergency funds the same day they are needed for prescriptions, rent, utilities, doctors visits and other critical requirements. At the end of the day, I feel really good that I have been able to help good, hard working people during their time of need. I believe that AMEN does an incredible job helping Arlington County residents get through their rough times.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The funds we provide are available that same day - so utilities are restored, rent is paid, prescriptions are filled, etc.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
increase the amount of funding AMEN has to work with (give out) to Arlington County residents
Every month I spend an afternoon answering the phone and fielding requests from social workers who are seeking emergency assistance for their clients. Typical requests are for prescription medicines, dental or medical care, and rental or utility assistance. The amounts we give are not particular large, but in some cases, they make the difference between the client being evicted or having their power turned off or being able to buy the insulin or other medicine they desperately need. All client requests are vetted by their social workers so there is never a question that the need is real.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've been an AMEN volunteer for about 7 years. Over that time I've seen a dramatic increase in the number of individuals in our rather well off community who have very real emergency needs. It's rather heartbreaking to have to turn down requests from social workers when we have spent the entire daily fund amount within the first hour because there are so many families and individuals in need.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find a way to engage more young people in our organization. Because we have to answer the phones during work hours, it means that most of our volunteers, like myself, are retired or nonworking. That's fine, but we could use the energy, ideas, and more donations from younger people.
AMEN is a wonderful organization that provides crisis management assistance to those in need. During these tough economic times, it's great to have a guardian angel able to provide same day financial support.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
From hearing stories to those that have received financial assistance from AMEN.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Further promote the grass-roots organization
Amen has helped me over the year. Whether I needed help with moving, Dental problems or help with my rent in an emergency situation AMEN was there. They never made me feel second class or humiliated me. Always a helping hand I appreciate them very much and started to volunteer with them because I know of lots of people they help.
Brenda in Arlington
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have personally experienced the results of Amen in help mostly with dental problems and rent.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would not Change AMEN.
This is a great organization it works hard to keep people who are just barely keeping their heads above water. When the unexpected expense occurs such as a very cold winter bringing high heating bills, the car breaks down and they have to chose between fixing the car and paying the heating/electric bill AMEN is there to off a helping hand.
Not sure how they do it but 90% of their donations are put direct to programs with very little overhead.
I even ran 10 miles recently to raise funds for them. My slogan was I sweat so you don't have to.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My neighbor ran the utility assistance program and I heard many of stories about heat being almost turned off when it was very cold.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Have a program to help identify low income families with students in 9th/10th grade that should be planning for college but based on circumstances do not think it is an option. If parents were told your child should be going to college and we will help you plan for it it would help the next generation move ahead.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
I am a chaplain who works with homeless women in DC, who chose to work with AMEN to keep up with how the homeless and people on the edge of poverty are served in Arlington, where I live. AMEN receives requests for emergency funds, keeps a data base so that we know how many requests of what kinds are recieved, and has a program to help those with more complicated needs work on their situations with the support of County social workers. AMEN is a charity that uses nearly all of its funds for the immediate needs that would be hard for a church to assess, and has gained expertise and made partnerships with doctors, pharmacies, and even gas stations so that funds are paid directly to the provider of the service the client needs, and the needs are served at least cost. I am proud to be part of such a compassionate and efficient organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have had the chance to meet several of the social workers from Arlington County, the local emergency shelter for women, and to talk to social workers form the post-prison assistance agency who are grateful for the help AMEN provides their clients.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Provide more help to the daily volunteer who shows up to give the checks to social workers--he never takes a day off!
AMEN is an organization helping those Arlingtonians with emergency needs. It is primarily a volunteer organization and only about 10 percent of its budget goes towards administrative support. It works very closely with Arlington County's social workers.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
conversations I have with the Arlington County social workers.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
how hard everyone works and how much everyone cares.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
dedicated, caring, knowledgable and enthusiastic.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
make an even bigger difference in helping Arlington's needy.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I'm a volunteer with this organization, handling requests from social workers for assistance to their clients. It helps several people in need each day and does it efficiently, with a minimum of overhead costs. Bill Allen
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
helping needy people
More feedback...
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
AMEN is doing great work on a daily basis, assisting low income residents with rental payments, medical care and prescription medicines. Disbursing daily funds to worthy recipients is a great way to help our less fortunate neighbors./ We are lucky yo have AMEN for its advocacy and support in our community.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing real help go out to the many clients served. The need is so great, we need to do more as funds permit.
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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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