Calvary Women’s Services was featured today on WUSA 9’s Hero Central – a segment that highlights those who give of themselves to help others. Hero Central is hosted by longtime Calvary supporter and Hope Awards honoree JC Hayward, w…

“I never thought I’d say it, but living at a shelter was the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m proud to say I was at Calvary. It set me free.” After many years of abusing drugs, Paula had finally had enough. “Coming to Calvary, I…

Anna is just one of the women who has used Calvary’s STRIDE program to build a better future for herself and her family.  STRIDE – Search Together to Resume Dignified Employment – offers women who have experienced homelessness the opportunity…

Yesterday marked the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. But at Calvary, domestic violence is an issue that affects our programs year-round. Nearly all of the women who come to Calvary have histories of violence and at some point during t…

Janet* knows she made mistakes in her life, but by the time she came to Calvary, she was ready to turn her life around. “When I was on drugs, I abused myself so bad,” she told me. “I got put out of my place. I didn’t have anywhere to go.” S…

Carolyn died in 1995. I remember sitting in the living room of the apartment she shared with her partner, Betty. Her friends had gathered to share stories and celebrate her life. We cried at the loss and the difficult ending Carolyn had experienced.…

Research indicates that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. Domestic violence affects women of all races, ethnicities, ages, and economic classes – with an estimated 1.3 million women being physically assaul…

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we’d like to take a moment to get our Calvary Comments readers up-to-date on domestic violence in America, and right here in Washington, DC. Around this time last year, President Obama launched a new p…

I was getting off Metro a few days ago when I ran into Sandra.  Having lived at Calvary a few years ago, Sandra now has a home, a job and a better relationship with her family.  But life is still challenging for her.  She told me that she still ge…

“Are you a survivor?” Sheila asked me as we left the meeting.  I had been speaking to a group about the need for services for women who have experienced domestic and sexual violence.  Sheila had been there to share her personal experience of vi…