Never doubt that a small group
of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
MARGARET MEAD
anthropologist
Greater Washington is one of the wealthiest regions in the nation, with a median
household income of over $70,000. Yet over 16% of its residents (20% of seniors) live in
poverty, and 26% are unable to afford the sky-rocketing cost of housing. So basic care, food,
and shelter remain top priorities, and an intriguing number of organizations offer housing
assistance in combination with other services – after school programs, parent resources,
counseling, financial education, academic support for children. Jobs are a critical piece of
the puzzle too, since employment prevents many clients from falling back into
homelessness. And then there are the kids: immigrant youth coping with poverty, family
separation, and adolescence all at the same time; middle school girls who have nowhere to
go when classes end; and the most vulnerable of our children, those who suffer from
mental illness. This year, for the first time, we also include a group of nonprofits whose
mission is to aid other nonprofits through partnerships that provide human capital,
technological know-how, and capacity building. The organizations highlighted here
provide a wide range of critical services, removing the barriers of cost, language, and
culture to help those in need – the young, the in-between, the old. Your compassionate
philanthropy means hope and opportunity for so many of our neighbors.
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