Washington Nonprofits and Charities

Volunteering, to me, used to mean offering help and bringing solutions to communities. I believed impact was about what you could provide. However, my experience with CorpsAfrica changed that mindset completely. Through Community-Led Development (CLD), Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), and Human-Centered Design (HCD), I learned that real impact is not about giving, but about listening, engaging, and working with communities to identify their own solutions using the resources they already have. CorpsAfrica is not only supporting communities but also empowering youth like me to become leaders and change-makers. I have seen communities take ownership of projects and work together in ways I never imagined. This journey has helped me grow both personally and professionally. I am more confident, patient, and purposeful. CorpsAfrica didn’t just change how I see volunteering, it changed how I see impact.

I've been involved with Mary's Center for two years as a part-time grant writer and supporter. During that time, I've had the privilege of meeting individuals from across the organization and interacting with programs such as their Cancer Navigation Team, Integrated Recovery Program (substance use disorder treatment), Teen Afterschool Program, Reach Out and Read, Diabetes Support, School-Based Mental Health, Senior Nutrition Program, and much more. Every single staff member I've had the pleasure of meeting is enthusiastic about their work and passionate about the community they serve. Their healthcare providers work tirelessly to make sure every patient's needs are met, and the leadership team is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to as many people as possible. I'm so proud to play even a small role in the amazing work Mary's Center does, and I would highly encourage anyone to become involved as a donor or volunteer!

As a youth, I was shown to serve others to humble myself and be myself. I was giving a tour with the rest of my group of the charity and I had so many thoughts going through my head but the main thing was I felt so much joy being able to give others time, playing with the children, serving food to others and even doing some cleaning up. It changed me.It made me want to change other lifes.

All children deserve to experience this world and all the opportunities available. UA does a great job opening up a world of possibilities to them.

Suted for Change has been a great supporter for our organization over last years.<br>They have helped us by providing us with numerous volunteers who have been giving workshops on various topics and have provided clothing for our clients who are seeking employment and need appropriate attire to attend interviews or their workplaces.<br>We feel blessed with their invaluable help.

Several years ago, I was the chair of the board for this organization. It was already a highly respected, highly impactful organization that one reviewed by donors always received rave reviews. I have worked with many organizations over the years, but very few with this level of quality, transparency, and leadership.

More than twenty years of consistently showing up and serving DC - thank you!

I have learned a lot in understanding more about the job needs in the current job market trends. Thank you very much!

I began volunteering at Byte Back, Inc. through "Office Track," an intensive course designed for students to learn Microsoft Office Suite, including Quick Books. I love to learn, and enjoyed the applied teaching methods, "click, click" of the mouse, for example. At first, I swept floors, but then I was assigned the task of developing course codes for all classes - a challenge indeed. One thing led to another, and my final accomplishment was organizing and drafting content for the current course catalog, 2009-2010. I love Byte Back, Inc., and hope to get more things done for them!

We had open discussions, the groups were outstanding, everything was broke down and explained clearly. I would like to join another group in the near future. (entered by a GNP staff member on behalf of reviewer)

I was truly amazed by the Springboard experience. The boot-camp gave me the tools and confidence necessary to raise our Series A successfully. We were able to raise an over-subscribed round in the midst of the great recession. I credit Springboard and its training program for our success.

I've volunteered for almost three years as a member of Samaritan Ministry's Parish Council. In that capacity I attend meetings every other month to find out more Samaritan Ministry's work and how my fellow parishioners at the Episcopal parish I represent can support the organization. Our parish participates every year in a fall Mini Walk, which raises money for Samaritan Ministry's work and helps it qualify for bonus funds from Fannie Mae's Help-the-Homeless Program. In November, we put up a Christmas Giving Tree in the church lobby and collect toys, clothes, gift cards and other presents for the children and adults Samaritan Ministry serves so well. My parish has also hosted two Next Step experiences as part of our ongoing education program. Next Step brings to our church Samaritan Ministry staff, a volunteer and, most important, one of the people whose life has been turned around because of Samaritan ministry. The stories of these folks are remarkable and inspiring. I've heard several over the years and am always moved. I make sure that every article I write for our monthly parish newsletter contains at least one of these stories. I know that other parishioners find them as powerful as I do. They're an important reason we register for the Mini Walk, buy gifts for the people Samaritan Ministry serves and come to the Next Step (Fund Raising) Breakfast every spring. Samaritan Ministry works with people who have nothing. Some of them were born that way. Others lost what they had to addiction, crime, illness or plain old bad luck. Samaritan Ministry is there to help them all. Its program of setting goals and giving people the tools they need to achieve them works. The organization and the people it helps deserve every bit of support we can offer.

From day one, when Dr. Ludy Green asked me to be on the Board, I didn&rsquo;t hesitate. The work she does is extraordinary, and so crucial to the community it serves. When you understand the cycle of abuse, you know that women are not the only victims. Their children are also abused, elderly parents, family animals. Through denying any kind of independence, the abuser keeps the family locked into the most destructive pattern there is. Second Chance Employment Services goes right to the core of the problem with solid solutions. It is absolutely fundamental in breaking this cycle of abuse, a cycle that often repeats itself in children of abusers. By saving the mother, SCES is also saving a second generation. First, by getting women out of this death-hold; and secondly by providing training and placement in professional careers. It&rsquo;s not a quick fix, not a patch. These women need long-term careers so they can have the financial security they need. Dr. Green&rsquo;s dedication is unflagging; she has channeled a lifetime of experience in Human Resources and a Ph.D in Industrial Organizational Psychology entirely to the good of others, creating an impressive network that touches so many lives. I have seen SCES evolve through the years, and I have met the women she helps on numerous occasions. To hear their stories and see how they&rsquo;ve re-built their lives is truly inspirational.

WOW is an awesome organization. The inter-generational mission and vision is inspiring and motivating. Through out the decades, WOW's programs and policy recommendations have been cutting edge, setting the bar for other allied organizations in the field of family and elder economic security. The workplace culture of the organization encourages and supports growth and innovation. I highly recommend WOW. It is as a great place to work and thrive. Those working with and for WOW know they are a part of something special.

As a DC social worker, Mark Hecker had a brilliant idea ten years ago to address the literacy challenges facing teens and young children. Since then he has built an effective organization that is not only tackling the literacy issue in an innovative way, but has expanded to offer opportunities in life skills and leadership, book authorship, and services that address the evolving and expanding needs of Reach’s teens as they look to post-high school life in college or careers. <br>I was fortunate to learn about Reach over three years ago through a regional grant-making organization. Mark’s grant proposal stood out to me, and to our entire organization, because he had a unique, intelligent solution to an endemic problem. (He won our grant.) I have gotten to know Mark since then and I am continually impressed by the way he actively seeks to improve both Reach’s program offerings and execution, but also his own skills as a leader, manager and innovator. The students are at the center of everything he does, and I marvel at the level of caring and commitment he brings to Reach. I have enjoyed meeting several of Reach’s dedicated and impressive employees, as well as a number of the Reach teen tutors. It has been great to have the chance to watch several students over time, first to see them as they are tutoring younger children, and then to applaud them as they earn college scholarship money and as they present books that they have authored themselves. Reach is undeniably a life-changing organization.

This is a type of organization that you will rarely find regardless of sector. NSP embodies the spirit of service not only through it's mission, passionate college student volunteers, and talented staff but also through the noble, innovative, creative, and humble leadership of its executive director. The leader of this organization truly sets an example through her words and actions for the rest of the organization and that shows every day in the critical services they provide to the community.

This is a very good, kind-hearted organization with which I (and another family member) has been involved as donors/patrons. And, these folks who run, and are served by, the nonprofit are real, very good artists! Well worth your money & time. Thank you.

I have given to Accion International for about 20 years and do so because they help hard-working poor people help themselves. It is amazing what those they help can do with such small loans! I also like that Accion does not overwhelm me with appeals - several times a year they mail their printed VENTURES newsletter with a return envelope to make a donation in, and send me just another one or two separate mail solicitations yearly.

HIPS is a special place. The staff and volunteers are the best in the biz -- smart, dedicated, and creative. I am so grateful for HIPS' leadership and wisdom and the innovation they infuse into their work every day. DC is a safer and more welcoming place because of them.

Taking an unpaid internship was not an option for me. With Pay Our Interns, I was able to find a paid internship on the Hill. The paid internship changed my life and led me to go to Law School.

The Labor Heritage Foundation (LHF)is a national organization that makes a unique contribution to the arts and humanities by providing access to union and working class culture. Since 1978, LHF's annual gathering of cultural workers, The Great Labor Arts Exchange (GLAE), brings together professional and amatuer singers, musicians, visual artists, and writers for a 3 day celebration of labor culture. In the intervening years, many GLAE participants returned to their home states and began their own regional version of the Arts Exchange. LHF provides seed money and acts as fiduciary agent for several local arts groups including the DC Labor Chorus, Cultural Works, and the Charm City Labor Chorus. I am eternally grateful to the LHF for bringing me to the beautiful campus of the National Labor College (NLC)and introducing me to my future and current employer, the NLC.

My brother was a client. He let me know that the staff was caring, responsive, proactive, and willing and ready to meet his needs for job readiness, mentoring, and GED preparation. Although I am a board member, my brother's interaction with Southeast Ministry was no different that any other client. I've been to graduations for SEM's programs and you should hear the testimony of the participants! Life changing!

This organization is doing an awesome job, transforming lives of those who are often forgotten about. They are some very dedicated individuals, who are making individual lives better each day at a time.

I have had the opportunity to meet some of the program staff, store staff, and clientele who have benefited from Goodwill's job training programs. I'm always impressed by how committed everyone is to greater change for our community and helping others. This is true across the board. One of my most memorable interactions was with a woman who was hired by Goodwill after completing a job training program. Her job entails her answering the phone a lot and I've seen her go out of her way to help callers get information they need, even when Goodwill wasn't the right place for them to go to get help. She told me she'd been in that position before and just wanted to help others. <br> <br>Whether I am donating clothing, purchasing something from a retail store, or recommending Goodwill to others, I am confident that the money being raised by Goodwill is being used appropriately and effectively.

I have worked with AFOP programs for many years. I have been through lots of their trainings and they do a great job. Thank you.