A Year in Review: 2023 Calvary Women’s Services Recap

Calvary Women’s Services is bidding farewell to 2023 as the year comes to a close. Throughout the year, Calvary renewed its commitment to creating an environment where every woman can thrive as well as end her homelessness for good.

Winter

2023 began with Calvary expanding our services to meet the increasing need for housing. Women began moving into New Foundations, Calvary’s sixth and newest housing program site, in January. The program provides support to survivors of domestic violence, ensuring these women have a safe place to call home.

In February, we shined the spotlight on Eurice Moore, a longtime volunteer. Eager to share her love of cooking, Eurice creates healthy and delicious dishes as a meal volunteer. ⁠She stays involved in women’s lives by organizing movie nights and gifting handmade scarves to Calvary clients during the holidays.

Calvary also celebrated being one of the Aura Cacia’s Positive Change Project grant recipients. The funding went toward our Step Up DC program, which provides one-on-one job placement support to women.

Spring

As spring began to thaw the winter chill, we shared Mary’s story, where she described her journey to Calvary and her hopes for the future. After experiencing domestic violence, Mary found Calvary and slowly built confidence in herself and trust in the people around her. Now, Mary is thriving in a safe, supportive environment.

Calvary’s 2023 Hope Gala, our largest annual fundraising event, continued spring’s theme of growth and perseverance as more than 400 of our supporters came together to support Calvary’s mission. Held at the Ritz Carlton, we raised over $550,000 to directly benefit women in Calvary’s comprehensive housing, health, education, and employment programs.

Calvary also recognized Capital One as the 2023 Corporate Partner of the Year Award Recipient, and Judith N. Batty, former CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, received the 2023 Hope Award for her unwavering support of women and girls around the country.

Summer

Summer rolled in with a wonderful Cocktails for Calvary event! Supporters from around the DMV were able to reconnect over drinks at Dacha Beer Garden and learn more about our services.

Women at Calvary participated in FAST (Fighting Against Sex Trafficking) DC’s eight week course, offered through our education program, and attended a graduation ceremony to recognize their achievements.

Fall

Fall fell upon D.C. as we geared up for the 2023 In This Together Community Walk. Calvary supporters and staff walked along the Anacostia River and raised over $40,000 for critical programs, showing that, rain or shine, when everyone is in this together, we’re able to make a difference.

Thanksgiving was a bright occasion, thanks to Hogan Lovell’s annual donation of Thanksgiving boxes! We were grateful to welcome this dedicated corporate partner back again this year.

On GivingTuesday, LaToya, a Calvary client, had the opportunity to share her story of transformation with NBC Washington. As a survivor of domestic violence, she first came to Calvary for a safe place to call home. LaToya spoke of her experience at in our programs saying, “I don’t have to run anymore… I can have a safe space to come to, a safe place to lay my head and rest.” LaToya’s story touched the hearts of many, and thanks to the generosity of our community, we were able exceed our fundraising goal of raising $35,000 on GivingTuesday!

In December, Calvary officially celebrated our 40^th anniversary at the Ruby Jubilee: A Special Home for the Holidays Celebration. This cherished annual tradition reached new heights as the organization brought together supporters and dedicated staff to reflect on four decades of service and prepare for the growth the come.

Looking forward to 2024, we remain committed to providing excellent housing, health, employment, and education services to women experiencing homelessness in our community.

With your support, Calvary can continue its mission to create a future where every woman in Washington, D.C. has a safe, stable place to call home. Here are a few ways to get involved:

• Sign up for our Partners for Tomorrow program to become a monthly donor and support women all year.
• Become a Calvary volunteer to live out your impact.
• Follow us on social media to see how your support makes a difference in 2024