Participant Stories

Sabra's Story

Sabra* is originally from Africa, and first discovered Samaritan Ministry while seeking employment assistance. Sabra has been in the United States for a number of years, but had just recently completed her education to become a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). While working to complete her degree, Sabra had lost both her home and marriage. She was temporarily living with her ex-husband and working as a CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant). Read more »

Henry's Story

Henry* calls Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington, D.C.’s “best kept secret.” After spending time in prison for a drug charge, Henry knew he needed to turn his life around. With the assistance of Samaritan Ministry, he began mental health counseling and completed a substance abuse program. He now celebrates over two years of sobriety. In recent months, Henry has been diligently attending Computer Mentoring classes at Samaritan Ministry to improve his job search skills. He is currently working as a cook in temporary positions and living at a friend's house. Read more »

Tim's Story

Tim* first came to Samaritan Ministry's Southeast office two years ago, looking for assistance obtaining employment and vision care. Despite a few set backs, Tim has persisted in working toward his future goals. 

Samaritan Ministry assisted Tim in obtaining food stamps, creating a resume, completing recommended health screenings, getting eye glasses and applying for health insurance. Samaritan Ministry also worked with Tim to provide math tutoring and transportation assistance. Read more »

Anthony's Story

Anthony was staying at a local DC shelter after being released from prison. He had been incarcerated for dealing drugs and admittedly had been using drugs for many years before his imprisonment. Anthony was determined to get his life back on track, gain employment, and become a productive member of society so he asked the caseworkers in the shelter where to go to get help with his life goals. One of the workers told him about Samaritan Ministry where he came and got connected with many services. Read more »

Jerry's Story

Jerry came to Samaritan Ministry in March of 2010 because he needed help and didn’t know where to find it. Living in a local shelter, Jerry desperately wanted to find employment and get his life back on track. However, he found that finding employment was more difficult than he thought. Read more »

Joe's Story

After returning from the Gulf War and serving his country, Joe, like so many other veterans in the District, found it difficult to find stable housing. Though he worked in construction, he didn’t make enough income to support himself. Read more »

John's Story

John was addicted. He first tried crack cocaine in 1983, the summer he graduated from high school. His future seemed to evaporate like the smoke from the lit crack pipe. Highly addictive, crack cocaine became his first priority in life. For the next 27 years John battled addiction. His life consisted of moving from one menial job to another and getting high. At age 45, John had nothing. He moved between the homes of friends and family, sleeping on couches when they would let him. Other nights he checked into a shelter. Read more »

Marissa's Story

Sometimes, it takes years of hard work and persistence to reach a goal. Marissa came to Samaritan Ministry in 2005, unemployed and three months behind on her mortgage. A previous employer owed her back wages, but the hearing before the labor board was not scheduled for three months. Marissa knew she needed to move forward, but felt frustrated by her situation. With encouragement from a caseworker, she began to set goals at Samaritan Ministry. Her first goal was employment, and she landed a part time job with a DC hospital. Read more »

Peter's Story

Peter appreciates his freedom. In prison for two years for drug dealing, he had learned his lesson. No more drugs. But before he could really be on his own, Peter was required to live in the halfway house for six months. The strict policies at the house, where residents were not allowed out but a few hours each day, made it hard to get on with life, but Peter was determined. Staying sober, away from drugs of any kind including alcohol, was crucial to his success. Read more »