The AMEN Corner - Arlington Thrive

AMEN STAFF
Executive Director
Geraldine Shannon
Program Manager
Charles Klein
Administrative Assistant
Taffy Brandt
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AMEN Volunteers, Board members and guests at luncheon
Officers
President: Steve Telkins
Vice-President: Vicki Shteir-Dunn
Treasurer: Edie Smolinski
Secretary: Sherry Foster
Members
Jill Barker
Richard Brigham
Rhea Dola
Pearl Hicks
Charles Klein
DeVera Redmond
Barry Shillito
Jack Turner
Diane Weisz Young
The AMEN Corner
Volume 34 Issue 2 Fall 2009
is published twice annually by
Arlingtonians Meeting
Emergency Needs, Inc.
P.O. Box 7429
Arlington, VA 22207
Telephone: 703-558-0035
Fax: 703-527-3037
amen@emergencyneeds.org
www.emergencyneeds.org
Editor: Geraldine Shannon
VOLUNTEERS CELEBRATED AT APRIL LUNCHEON
AMEN’s volunteers were recognized and thanked for their dedicated service
to Arlington’s neediest residents at a luncheon on April 21. The volunteers,
AMEN Board and staff, and guests socialized and enjoyed a luncheon buffet.
A brief program followed with remarks made by Barbara Favola, Chairman
of the Arlington Board; Jane Burr, Chief of the County’s Crisis Assistance
Bureau; Matt Kennedy, Case Manager for the Arlington Free Clinic; and
AMEN Board President Steve Telkins. Each speaker thanked the volunteers
and acknowledged the essential role that they play in providing emergency
financial assistance in Arlington. Four of AMEN’s five programs are staffed
year-round by approximately 30 volunteers.
THE MORRIS & GWENDOLYN CAFRITZ
FOUNDATION AWARD GRANT TO AMEN
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation of Washington, D.C. awarded
a $20,000 grant to AMEN in June. Designated for emergency financial
assistance, this is the first grant AMEN has received from the Cafritz
Foundation. On receipt of the grant, AMEN Board President Steve Telkins
stated, “We are very pleased to receive this important support from the Cafritz
Foundation for AMEN’s work. This funding has been awarded when it is
particularly needed since the economic downturn has created a significantly
higher demand for emergency financial assistance. Arlington’s neediest
residents will benefit directly from the Cafritz grant.”
Visit us on the web: www.emergencyneeds.org
FROM THE DESK OF THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Next year, AMEN will observe
its 35th anniversary serving the
Arlington community. Its mission
has been constant throughout
its history but operations must
change with the changing times.
There are two developments to
report. The Board and staff are
currently working to improve
AMEN’s fundraising
capability. For the last few
months, through a capacity-building grant from
the Arlington Community Foundation, we hired a
short-term fundraising consultant and procured new
donor database software. One of AMEN’s goals
is to increase our operating budget reserves to be
even better prepared for unforeseen circumstances
that increase the demand for emergency financial
assistance. An example is the recent economic
downturn. AMEN can fulfill its mission to provide
emergency financial assistance to Arlington’s needy
only to the extent that it has adequate income and
reserves to do so.
I am happy to report that I was selected to be a
member of the current class of Leadership Arlington.
This program brings together Arlington leaders
from the business, nonprofit and public sectors to
discuss the issues and opportunities facing Arlington
while enhancing each participant’s personal and
professional leadership skills. During the ten month
program, I will hone my executive skills to benefit
AMEN and bring greater visibility to AMEN and
its mission.
Together we will see the results of these efforts to
improve AMEN operations and visibility over the next
many months.
Gerry Shannon
WHO DOES AMEN HELP? ONE STORY
Samantha was a client of the Offender Aid and Restoration
(OAR) program in Arlington. During her stay in OAR’s
transitional housing program, she found employment at
a local restaurant. When she completed the program,
Samantha was required to find her own housing, but her job
income and her savings were not enough to cover the cost
of both her security deposit and her first month’s rent.
OAR then asked AMEN to help Samantha obtain her
housing with a one-time part payment of that first month’s
rent. AMEN responded with the requested help, and
Samantha now continues to work, has settled into her own
place, and lives independently.
Do you or does someone you know need
emergency financial assistance?
If you are a resident of Arlington and have an emergency
financial need, you must contact a social worker to refer
you to AMEN. If you are not working with a social worker
right now, contact the County Crisis Assistance Bureau at
703-228-1350 and tell them you need help.
EILEEN WETTROTH AND BARBARA
SMUCKER RETIRE FROM BOARD
Eileen Wettroth and Barbara Smucker retired from the
AMEN Board in the spring. Eileen served as a Board
member for almost 20 years. We are pleased that she will
continue volunteering for AMEN’s Daily Emergency Fund.
Barbara Smucker served on the Board for three years
and volunteered many more years at the former Furniture
Bank of Arlington. She will continue her association with
AMEN as a volunteer on our Help the Homeless miniwalks program. AMEN thanks Eileen and Barbara for their
dedicated service on the Board.
JILL BARKER JOINS AMEN BOARD
Jill M. Barker joined the Board of Directors in June.
A 15-year resident of Arlington, she practices energy law
with the Washington, D.C. firm of Betts & Holt, LLP. With
her husband Michael Crosswell and their two teenage
children, Jill is active in Foundry United Methodist Church
in Washington, D.C. Jill has served in leadership roles in
her children’s Boy and Girl Scout troops and is a supporter
of their school activities. Barker looks forward to helping
AMEN further its mission to help Arlington’s neediest.
Please designate AMEN as the
recipient of your workplace
giving in 2010
Combined Federal
Campaign # 30709
United Way # 8406
Why does AMEN require a
referral from a social worker to
help a needy client?
AMEN provides emergency,
same-day financial help to
Arlington residents referred
by social workers. Our
volunteers take telephone
calls from social workers
at area agencies including
Arlington County’s Department of
Human Services, A-SPAN (Arlington
Street People’s Assistance Network), the VOA
(Volunteers of America) Residential Program
Center, Doorways for Women and Children,
and the Arlington Free Clinic.
AMEN requires a social worker’s referral for two
reasons. A social worker can provide a thorough
professional assessment of the client’s emergency
situation, and AMEN thereby can assure its donors
that its limited financial resources are used for genuine
emergencies of people in need.
Social workers also determine if a client needs
other help. This help might include social services,
counseling, medical and dental services, employment or
housing assistance, help with credit repair, and budget
counseling to prevent non-payment of bills in the
future. By having a social worker involved, AMEN can
ensure the client’s emergency need today is met while
simultaneously knowing the client is in a position to
receive other needed services, which helps to eliminate
a continuing need for emergency help.
As you can see, AMEN helps clients who are also
being served by other Arlington social service agencies.
A social worker with Doorways, for example, might
call the AMEN Daily Fund volunteer to request rental
assistance for a Doorways client. When AMEN issues
assistance with a check to that client, that client
becomes an AMEN client as well. So, when you
donate to AMEN, your dollars are also assisting other
Arlington organizations like Doorways and A-SPAN.
Your donations go far with AMEN because we help so
many sectors of Arlington’s most needy residents.
WALK AGAINST HOMELESSNESS:
JOIN US ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25th
AMEN will host its
annual community Help
the Homeless mini-walk
at 2 pm on Sunday,
October 25. Participants
will meet in the parking lot of the First Presbyterian Church,
601 North Vermont St, on the corner of Carlin Springs
Road. We will walk through the neighborhood and return to
the church before 3:30 p.m.
All walker registration fees will directly fund AMEN’s
emergency assistance programs. In addition, Fannie Mae
provides financial incentives to AMEN based on the
number of registered walkers so your attendance at the
walk is really important to us! Have fun, get some exercise,
and help other Arlingtonians! Be sure to bring the whole
family and encourage your friends to join the walk.
AMEN WORKS THROUGH SCHOOL
MINI-WALKS TO END HOMELESSNESS
For the past eight years, AMEN has worked with the
Arlington Public Schools to organize Help the Homeless
mini-walks for students. We are pleased to report that the
Fannie Mae Corporation, despite recent financial problems,
will sponsor the 2009 Help the Homeless walks program
again this fall. AMEN Board members and staff will work
with eight or more schools this year to help raise awareness
among students about homelessness and to encourage
volunteerism.
In 2008, AMEN received over $40,000 for its work in the
Help the Homeless school walks. We hope to raise even
more this year. AMEN will use the funds it earns from
Fannie Mae to provide badly needed emergency financial
assistance to Arlington individuals and families.
The economic downturn has affected many in Arlington
County, and the demand for emergency financial assistance
in 2009 has increased by 30% over 2008. In so many
cases, AMEN’s assistance has kept families in their homes
and has enabled the uninsured to receive medical and dental
treatment.
THANK YOU TO AMEN’S GENEROUS DONORS
Under $100
George Abrahams
Dorothy Acosta
Lynda G. Adamson
William Allen
Margery Alston
Gilbert Anderson
Henry Anderton
Judy Annis
Melvin Arakaki
Gerald Auten
James Ballas
Sarah Lee Banerjl
Bill Barbieri
Jill Barker
Robert Bartell
Ellen Bartlett
Walter Baumann
Theodore Bayler
Joann Berkson
Jean Berg
Eugene & Sheila Betit
Charlene Bickford
Dr. Merton L. Bland
Claudia Smith Boswell
John Boswell
Sylvia Brady
Barbara & Dean Brown
Frances & Gerard Brannon
Bruce Burns
Mary Jane Bushnaq
Betty Burrows
Venerando Caffo
James & Joan Canan
Ruth Elaine Canan
Catalogue for Philanthropy
James & Susan Cavanaugh
Kevin Cleary
Jessica Cogen & Joel Newton
William Cogswell, Jr.
Margaret Collier
David & Katherine Collins
Sara J. Collins
Jeannine Christian
Marian Cooley
Mary & Samuel Cottrell, IV
Crystal Springs Women’s Club
Yvonne Dangerfield
L. Karen Darner
Brian C. Deatley
William Dent
Edward Dewey
Loretta Dewwy
John & Mary Dickson
Barbara K. Dodrill
Sharon Dorsey
William Douglas
Alice & Robert Ebbs
Alice Eichers
Sara Fitzgerald
Robert Furlow
Suzanne Gartner
Nina Goodman
Theresa Gullo
Gerald Fisette
Kathleen Francis
Max Friedman
L. Elizabeth Frisa
Elaine & Robert Furlow
Ronald & Alice Gainer
Ernestine Garcia
John Gibson
June Gillmore
Marjorie H. Gilmore
Sam Gousen
Wade F. Gregory
Rev. Lee Gross
Susan Gruskiewicz
Audrey M. Gubbins
Charles & Judy Hadden
Beatrice Hale
Donald Hall
Ella Hall
Orval & June Hansen
Mileva & Richard Hartman
Myron W. Hedlin
Susan Hewitt
Valerie Hollis
Lucia Homick
Helen Horton
Caroline Hufford-Anderson
Karen Hughes
Barbara D. Huntoon
Robert Jack
Anastasia & Mark Joelson
Barbara Johnson
Carolyn W. Johnson
Marcia Johnson
Paul Johnson
Viola Julian
Nadine Juliussen
Arthur & Vivan Kallen
Allen Keiswetter
Robert C. Keller
Thomas & Ida Claire Kerwin
Manawar Khall
Charles Klein
Dr. J. Michael Korff
Keith Kurtz
Anne Ledyard
Puwen Lee
Susan G. Lane
Guy Land
Phyllis G. Liner
Stephen Linko
Richard Lovering
Bruce Lugn
Mr. & Mrs. Walter Lundy
Ann & James Lunson
Janice & George MacDonald
Marcia MacDonald
Sheila Marks
Barbara Marx
Bradley McDonald
Patricia McGrady
Margaret McKelvey
James McRae
Thomas W. Miller
Jerrie & Tomas Mirga
James & Mabel Montgomery
Oriel Morris
Richard G. Morriss
Ann Mulford
Carl F. Myers
Barbara Nash
Paul & Margaret Nelson, Jr.
Mary Neznek
Dorothy Nicholson
H.C. Onufrak
William K . Owen
Nancy Palmerino
Benny & Mary Parker
Jeffrey Passel
Michael & Liane Paulson
David Peacefull
David A. Permut
Wanda L. Pierce
Rudolf Planert
Diane & Richard Pollack
Potomac Woman’s Club
Marjorie B. Radford
Jeanette Regetz
Mary Resnik
Ann Reynolds
William Rhoads
Vincent Riley
Charles & Lora Rinker
James Robinson
Anne B. Rodgers
Judith Rogers
Kathleen & James Rubinger
Ann C. Rudd
Erin Russo
Eugenia Schaefer
Emily Schlesinger
Carl Sears & Sheila Smith
Clinton & Georgia Shaw
Barry & Jacqueline Shillito
Jacqueline Smith
Mary Kay Spink
Donley Stocking
Gerhardt & Mary Stoopman
Matthew Street
Herbert & Alice Sufi
Bill & Bea Sullivan
Donald J. Sullivan
Barbara Thompson
Susan C. Trice
Martha Trunk
Marjorie Tuccillo
The AES Corporation
Sean Tyler
Richard & Joan Undeland
John & Renee Underwood
Marie Van Ness
Hendril Van Voorthuizen
Betty Vertiz
Evelyn Verzi
Emilio C. Viano
John & Mary Vihstadt
Captain & Mrs. Chandler Von
Schrader
Meredith Wadman
Douglas Watson
Andrew Wenchel & Pat Wynns
Eileen Wentzel
Andrew White
Betty Wilson
Kamili Wilson
Mitz & Bob Williams
Mary Wilmeth
Sandy Winger
Donna Zadnik
Peggy Gartner
Maria de Jesus Gonzalez
Nina & Daniel Goodman
John Greenhill
Rev. Lee Gross
Cynthia M. Grabo
David & Ann Gray
Wade & Ann Gregory
Gregory Guice
$100-499
Shirley & John Gunning
John Acton
Martha Haines
Keith B. Anderson
Monique Hanis & Douglas
Arlington Temple UMC
Warnecke
Ursula Banzhaf
Karen Heath
Bill Barbieri
Herbert & Gay Hammerman
Edward Barrese
Eileen & Tom Hanning
Freddie Mac Foundation
Mary Ann & John Henley
Frederick & Gladys Barrett
Kyra Hicks
Geeti Kour Bawa
Pearl Hicks
Erwin W. Bedarf
Brenna Hill
Jean Berg
Pamela & Rick Hindman
Bethel United Church of Christ Barbara & Jerome Hoganson
Rosemarie Borchardt
Margaret J. Howe
Jonathan Breeding
Carol & Paul Jameson
David Briggs
Nina P. Janopaul
Richard Brigham & Kirsten Wall Anita Jenkins
David & Ann Broder
Barbara & Joe Johnson
Donna Brown
Kelly Johnson
Michael Buckler
Elizabeth & Richaard Juhnke
Harold & Louise Burghart
Steven Kamin
Eugene & Josephine Burns
Susan Kelly
Mary Ann Campbell
Thomas & Ida Claire Kerwin
William W. Campbell
Sharon Bandy Kotok
Margaret Cavanaugh
Mildred Lawson
Clarendon United Methodist
Janet Laytham
Church
Susan Lechner
Gail Chisholm
Linda Lee
Mary Churchman
Martin Less
Dorothy Clark
Peter D. Linquiti
Loretta Cleek
Richard Lovering
Charles Cocks
Roye & Helen Lowry
Ann C. Cole
Ann & James Lunson
Julia A. Connally
Theodore & Willa Lutz
Warren Connelly
David Lyles
John & Donna Cornman
Terri R. Lynch
Dolores Coutts & Richard Long Constance McAdam
Michele & Daniel Creedon
Cheri & Matthew McGuire
Mary Anne Cummins
Barbara H. McKittrick
Michele Curran
Deborah O. Mercer
Patricia Cuttler
Microsoft Giving Campaign
James Dake
Michelle Morrissey
Brian C. Deatley
Anne Mortimer
Lee Dewey
Ann Mulford
Barbara K. Dodrill
Anne Murphy
Steven & Rhea Dola
Myers, Carl F. Myers
Deborah Duffy
Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Nachmanoff
Theodore A. Eastman
NARFE
Sara Fitzgerald
Mary Jane Nelson
Adrienne Flave
Dennis O’Connor & Geraldine
David & Martha Foster
Shannon
Sharon & Michael Foster
Col. Helen O’Day
J. Vic Funderburk
Rolf Olson
Thomas & Nancy Gallagher
Our Lady Queen of Peace
Kelly Johnson
Roberta & John Overholt
Cheryl Gardner
Mary Pankin
We apologize for any errors and welcome your corrections.
Elizabeth Pinkston
Dennis Pinch
Eleanor J. Pratt
Michael Prell
John & Joan Quinn
Gwyneth Radloff
Douglas Reed
William G. Rhoads
Francis Riciardone, Jr.
Annette Riley
Jessye & Richard Ritter
Jack & Gretchen Robertson
Harlan Robinson
Rock Spring Women’s Fellowship
Morie Roger
Judith Rogers
Lola Rogers
Sandra H. Rouse
Elizabeth Rugaber
Anne Saba
Andrea Schellman
James Schlesinger
Joseph Schmitz
Kathleen & Matteson Scott
Susan Scotti
William Sette
Vicki Shteir-Dunn
Ruth Sievers
Holly Siprelle
Evelyn J. Small
Thomas & Edie Smolinski
Barbara Smucker
St Andrew’s Endowment for Outreach
St. Ann Catholic Church
Karen Ann Staha
Paul & Linda Steinmetz
Robert Stetekluh
Sushi-Zen
William & Linda Swedish
Sue & Clement Swisher
Barbara Thompson
Robert Trice
John & Margaret Truslow, Jr.
Jack & Carolyn Turner
Jeffrey Turner
Richard Undeland
Carolyn Vale
Scott & Julia Valentin
Karl & Luella Vannewkirk
Frances L. Ventis
Vietnam Veterans of America
Chapter 227
Melissa Voight
Linda Walker & Lawrence W. Hardy
Willard & Anne Webb
Mary Wilmeth
Kathleen Wilson
Marilynn Wilson
John Wingard
The Woman’s Club of Arlington
Joseph & Midge Wholey
Harry Wood
Susan Dewar Zapac
$500 – 999
Arlington Host Lions Charities, Inc.
Arlington Interfaith Council
Bank of America
Linda Barbour
Roger & Joanna Brown
George & Linda Carlson
Therese Cvetkovich
Edwin Demoney, Jr.
Jane Diefenbach
Galileo Consulting Group
Richard Engleman
David & Sharon Gustafson
Kiwanis Club of S. Arlington
Gerald & Karen McClinch
Ronald & Daphne Musselwhite
William & Annette Reilly
Carol Sacks
Thomas & Kathalina Stein
Steve & Pat Telkins
Alvin M. Theisen
T. Wallace
Williamsburg Woman’s Club of
Arlington
$1,000-$5000
John Andelin & Virginia Geoffrey
Anonymous
Arlington Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Arlington Church of Brethren
Arlington Community Church
Arlington Community Foundation
Arlington Presbyterian Church
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Calloway United Methodist Church
Community United Methodist Church
First Presbyterian Church
Martha Halperin
Kiplinger Foundation
Kiwanis Foundation of Arlington
James Leonard
Mount Olivet United Methodist Church
Samuel & Jessie Napolitano
Kelly Parkhill
Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran
Church, ELCA
Rock Spring Congregational UCC
Gary Teagno
The Church of the Covenant
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Scott & Liz Vance
Clelia Anne Walker
Walker Chapel United Methodist Church
David & Diane Weisz Young
$10,000 and over
Arlington County
Dominion Virginia Power
Fannie Mae Corporation
FEMA Emergency Food & Shelter
Program
The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz
Foundation
The Community Foundation for the
National Capital Region
The John Edward Fowler Memorial
Foundation
Winifred Silverson
The Estate of Donald Walter
DRESS FOR WORK SUCCESS
Dress for Work Success is a volunteer-run AMEN
program that takes clients shopping for new clothes
appropriate for job interviews and employment.
Individuals who successfully complete the Arlington
Employment Center’s Arlington Works Program
(AWP) are eligible. AWP participants have either
never been in the workforce or have been out of work
for some time. New work clothing helps clients get
ready for work, increases self-confidence, and helps
ensure employment success.
AMEN initiated Dress for Work Success in 1998 at
the request of the Arlington Women’s Civic Alliance
whose donation funded the start of the program. Since
then, general donations to AMEN have funded the
program. AMEN volunteer Pearl Hicks has managed
the AMEN Dress for Work Success program since
2001. A recent Dress for Work Success client wrote:
Dear
Mrs.
Hicks
,
I wa
nted
to th
taking
ank y
time
a
for t
nd me ou for
he sh
eting
oppin
me
It’s
g trip
very k
….
ind o
do th
f
you t
at. I
o
really
I get
enjoy
to en
ed it.
joy t
every
he cl
day w
othes
hen I
go to
work
Than
.
k you
,
Ms. B
AMEN ENTERS THE WORLD OF
SOCIAL NETWORKING
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/emergencyneeds
BLOG AT: View at the AMEN website or visit
http://arlingtoniansmeetingemergencyneeds.blogspot.com
In November, watch for our newly designed website at
www.emergencyneeds.org!
CFC Campaign #30709
United Way Campaign #8406
Return Service requested
P. O. Box 7429
Arlington, VA 22207
Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency Needs, Inc.
Permit No. 579
Arlington, VA
US Postage PAID
Non-Profit Org.
Invite AMEN to Your Birthday Party or Other
Special Occasion!
Do you have a special birthday, anniversary or
holiday party planned but do not want to receive
gifts from your guests? We suggest instead that
you ask them to make a donation to AMEN in
your honor. What better gift can you receive
but the satisfaction of knowing that you have
helped others.
Consider Giving to AMEN With a Planned Gift
As you do your estate planning, please consider a bequest to AMEN.
For more information on this, please contact Executive Director Gerry Shannon
at 703-558-0035 or amen@emergencyneeds.org.