I've been involved with the NW Center for over twenty years and consistently find it to be a welcoming, supportive place with comprehensive service that is truly transformative. Every city should have a center like this!
I have over ten years experience working with a wide range of nonprofits, including but not limited to pregnancy centers. I have done so in various capacities: sometimes as a volunteer, other times as a professional accountant or administrative assistant, and sometimes in ministry, working with the nonprofit to provide services to people in need.
My most recent involvement with a nonprofit was with the Northwest Center in Washington DC, and the experience was spectacular from beginning to end. I worked with them professionally to provide temporary bookkeeping support. In this capacity, I was privy to the inner workings of the Center, which was a unique honor as it was both positive and instructive for me professionally. I was impressed with the expertise of the staff, the cheerful and supportive work environment, the organization and precision with which the administrative details were handled behind the scenes, the fundraising activity, and the level of client care. Independently, each of these areas is a monumental task for a small nonprofit, but the Northwest Center excels in all of these areas, ultimately weaving them together to provide excellent service to the community.
In particular, the Northwest Center provides impressive personal care to their clients. The Executive Director not only provides for the temporal needs of the clients, like housing, diapers, cleaning supplies, and safety, but she also ensures that their emotional needs are addressed as well. A testament to its authenticity, her friendship with the women and children continues for years past their stay in the maternity home has come to an end. She routinely takes previous clients out for a meal, or to celebrate a child's birthday. Wrapped up into those visits is not only the essential encounter of friendship, but also that of accompaniment and mentoring through which the women receive the ongoing support and encouragement of a trusted advisor.
Much more than a mere social justice initiative, the Northwest Center really stands out by going over and above the expectation for any nonprofit organization. They run a smooth operation, with a stellar staff, devoted board of directors, and a brilliant business model. They do a phenomenal job of fundraising so that the women and children have ongoing, predictable financial support. They care for and counsel women and help them to find their way in the world, and ultimately do so independently. In full, the Northwest Center’s administrative expertise and Christocentric care allow them to serve women and children in the best, most efficient way possible.
I wholeheartedly encourage you to get to know the Northwest Center and to support their work!
The Northwest Center is a loving, peaceful place for DC parents and children to find rest and holistic support amidst the grueling demands and stressors they face.
I had the immense privilege of interning with Executive Director Susan Gallucci in 2016-2017. I can say with complete certainty that Susan and her Staff serve every single parent and child that finds The Northwest Center with compassion, unwavering respect, and warmth so often lost and lacking in our world.
Susan remains a role model and dear friend of mine to this day, long after her commitment to supervise me as a budding Social Worker ended. That is who Susan is. And that is the beautifully high standard she sets for relationships among NWC Staff, Clients, Board Members, and supporters alike.
And it is with great joy and deep trust that - 5+ years later - I keep referring Clients to The Northwest Center, excited for each one to experience what The Northwest Center offers in excellent housing, options counseling, continuing support, parenting classes, and more.
Every person served by The Northwest Center is loved, unique, and unrepeatable. And that is evident in every detail of what The Northwest Center Staff does to continue the organization's strong legacy. My sincere hope is that The Northwest Center will forever have a home not just in the hearts of thousands but in the heart of our nation's capitol, where it is needed more than ever.
I have over 20 years experience working with federal, state and non-profit programs that help pregnant & parenting teens as well as promoting maternal and child health. The Northwest Center gets the highest marks from me as an organization that makes a lasting difference in the lives of the teens, young women, and struggling families they serve. They don't just set goals as an organization. They help the women and families meet their needs, solve the crises they face, and improve their health and well-being. They have an outstanding track record of young single mothers achieving self-sufficiency. The staff & volunteers are caring yet professional. This organization with a pregnancy center and long-term transitional housing component is a program well worth supporting and replicating. Michelle Brott O'Connell, BSN, Public Health Nurse Consultant
In February 1996 The Northwest Center Maternity Home opened it's doors to it's first resident. I was employed there part time as House Mom. Two months later the second and third resident moved in and it became one big happy home. The rest is History. I enjoyed assisting the moms with cooking, cleaning and especially helping with the babies. In 1997 I became Resident Manager and worked full time. Later in March 2000 I was promoted to Maternity Home Manager. I love that place. The Maternity Home is truly a Safe Haven for the women and children it house. The Staff, Volumteers and The Board of Directors are such caring, giving and reliable individuals. They all work hand in hand to assist the women with the goals they set for themselves to enable them to become Self-Sufficient. I have personally witnessed some of the women Graduate from College, obtain their HS Diploma or GED, complete Trade School, Job Training and get decent jobs enabling them to move into their own apartments. I feel blessed to have played a small part of their transitioning and proud to have served as a Staff Member of The Northwest Center for 10 yrs. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK YOU ALL DO AT THE NORTHWEST CENTER. MY PRAYER IS THAT THE CENTER RECEIVES AN ABUNDANCE THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO EXPAND SO THEY CAN DO MORE FOR MORE. GOD BLESS YOU, NWC.