Brightwood Education Center walks to support NEW and end homelessness

On October 25th, students and teachers at Brightwood Education Center held a "mini walk" in support of NEW as part of the annual Help the Homeless Walkathon program.

NEW executive director Wanda Steptoe says, "Brightwood E.C. has been a faithful walk supporter for several years. We're so thankful for the hard work of Quiana Riley, and the children, teachers, staff and principal, who all come together to make their annual mini walk a wonderful success. We truly appreciate all that they do to help NEW, and to help end homelessness."

Mini walks are a big part of our Help the Homeless fundraising and awareness efforts. Last year more than 1,000 students--and over 1,400 walkers in all--participated in mini walks and the Walkathon to support New Endeavors by Women. With their help, we raised over $40,000! Join us this year to support our five housing programs that are home to over 120 women and children.

There's still time to sign up to support NEW through the annual Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon on November 20th. Sign up online at www.helpthehomelessdc.org to walk for us!

More photos from the Brightwood Education Center mini walk:

Dine out to support NEW!

Help us raise money by dining out! The D.C. area's top chefs are waiting to serve you and help NEW. And best of all, participation is free!

Celebrated Chefs is an exciting new program that helps New Endeavors by Women raise funds all year long. Through this innovative program, you lend valuable support simply by dining at the area’s best restaurants.

It's easy to participate:

· Sign Up for the Program

· There Is No Cost to Participate

· Receive a Beautiful Cookbook of Chefs’ Signature Meals

· Dine at the Area’s Best Restaurants

· New Endeavors by Women Earns Valuable Donations

For more information, visit www.celebratedchefs.com

If you’re ready to sign up to support New Endeavors by Women, click here to enroll now!

DC Foodies Do Good serve up a meal and more on 10/16

Good food and good friends were on the menu when DC Foodies Do Good visited our New Transitions program (for the second time!) on Saturday, October 16th to serve a delicious lunch and talk with our residents about nutrition, and eating well while eating good food.

We appreciate all of the DC Foodies and everything they've done for NEW! Thank you!

For more information about this wonderful group of foodies who gather to sample great food, and who do good deeds for people in need, visit them at www.dcfoodiesdogood.org

More pics from the event:

NEW residents get tips on getting healthy

Photo: Residents learn how to fit exercise into their daily routines


As part of our "Healthy Habits" initiative at New Endeavors by Women, Max the Trainer is working with residents who are taking NEW's "Biggest Loser" challenge. He's sharing strategies for getting fit while having fun, and fitting fitness into an everyday routine.

Max says that you don't need to join a gym to workout, and he teaches easy strategies for sneaking in fitness all throughout the day. He demonstrated how to exercise while sitting down, how to use a chair as a "equipment" to work out, and some easy moves that anyone can do standing against a wall for support.

Our residents are using the tips they get from Max, along with information about healthy food choices and other exercise options, to make their own "Healthy Habits."

NEW featured on TBD/Channel 8's Let's Talk Live

NEW's executive director, Wanda Steptoe, joined Robyn Webb (DC Foodies Do Good founder and a great supporter of NEW's work!) as a guest on TBD/Channel 8's "Let's Talk Live" program.

Check out the video:
[if you don't see it posted below, use this link: NEW on Let's Talk Live]

New Horizons helps domestic abuse survivors

Our New Horizons program opened in April 2009, and provides permanent supportive housing for 17 women and their children who are rebuilding their lives after being forced into homelessness by domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness among women and children. It is estimated that one-third to one-half of homelessness among women and children stems from domestic abuse, and that 1in 3 women will experience abuse in her lifetime. At NEW, most women in our housing programs report experiencing domestic abuse at some point in their lives, even if the abuse is not the primary reason for her homelessness right now.

Join us in honoring the survivors and remembering the victims of domestic violence during the month of October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

We are proud that with our help and support, there are at least 17 women and their children every year who do not have to live with homelessness because they make their home at New Horizons.

New Horizons residents live in their own apartments in neighborhoods all around the District. They meet regularly with their NEW case manager and other support team members, and we help them connect to resources in their neighborhoods and communities. Families in New Horizons are making strides toward living independently and thriving: mothers are working, children are enrolled in school and participating in extracurricular activities, many children are showing academic improvements, and families are learning how to support one another during the healing process to recover from abuse.

We are grateful to our supporters and contributors for their role in making New Horizons possible! If you would like to make a donation to NEW in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, click here. Thank you for your support!

MVP Volunteers Needed!

We are in need of working women who are willing to devote their time to helping a NEW resident grow professionally. Share your strategies for employment success, be a sounding board, and offer feedback and advice to a NEW resident as she gains employment and works to secure her future. Join our new Mentor Volunteer Program (MVP)!

A one year commitment is required, and training will be provided. No special skills or prior experiences as a mentor are needed. You just need to be willing, patient and dedicated. If you're interested, email James Brown at: jbrown(at)newendeavorsbywomen.org or call 202-682-5825.

If you know of someone who would be interested, please pass along this info!

NEW Residents & Staff Take Biggest Loser Challenge

In September, our residents and staff launched a "Biggest Loser" style fitness challenge! There are more than 20 residents and staff participating in the competition to see who loses the most and becomes the fittest.

We have our own personal trainer--Max the Trainer--and a nutritionist, working with us to help motivate competitors to stay active, make healthy food choices, and incorporate healthy living as a lifestyle.

So far, the weigh ins show that we're on the track! Stay tuned for updates about who's the Biggest Loser, and what her prize will be...

NEW Hosts 22nd Annual Benefit on Nov. 16th

Join us on Tuesday, November 16th for our 22nd Annual Benefit Reception and Recognition Awards

The Westin Grand
2350 M Street, NW
Washington, DC
6:30PM - 8:30PM

Silent Auction Opprortunity Drawing

Drawing Prizes: iPad, Amazon Kindle, iPod Touch

Tickets and Sponsorships Available Now

Our Honorees:

Stephen Campbell, DC Department of Real Estate Services

Lisa Franklin-Kelly, DC Department of Human Services

Greta Perry, Mark G. Anderson Consultants

Mistress of Ceremonies: Gwen Tolbart, WTTG Fox 5

Success Story Profile : Tina

photo of Tina

Hi, I am Tina and I want to share with you my story - one of opportunity and growth based on my foundation at New Endeavors.

I came to New Endeavors from the Harbor Light Center Treatment Facility after struggling with homelessness for more than 15 years. Stuck in an abusive relationship, I used and sold drugs to cope with my living situation. Eventually my life style led me to the Penal System. Again not wanting to go to jail for the sixth time, I pleaded with the Judge to award me Drug Treatment.

I went to treatment with no hopes of being able to stay clean but thought at least I'll be free again and this time be better with my addiction, but GOD always has His plan for us. Something happened while in treatment; I actually surrender my life to GOD and believed that there was some hope for me. Now treatment was over and I wanted to remain sober and actually live.

Even though I was ready to make a change, I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I had experienced mental, physical, and sexual abuse. I was addicted to drugs, had been incarcerated several times, was still on parole, and had a 15-year gap in my work history. I needed help and I knew it. I shared my desires and fears with my counselor at the Harbor Light Center and she said "Tina, I know the perfect Transitional House for you". She sent me to New Endeavors to be accessed for entry and I was accepted after two interviews. I can truly say that's when I got my life back.

Immediately, New Endeavors gave me a Case Manager. My case manager was very honest, hospitable, professional, loving, kind and concerned. Because of that, I was very comfortable with her and was able to be honest about who I was, about the mess I made of my life and how I needed to be helped. From the very beginning, we set goals and created plans to reach the goals that were set. New Endeavors had rules and guidelines for every client to follow. My case manager created a plan structured just for me. I had nine months of Aftercare Treatment, mandatory NA meetings, job readiness courses, daily chores, and mandatory groups. When I failed to follow rules, guidelines and my set plans, there were consequences. And believe me when I say, "my case manager didn't bend - not even a little".

Working together with my case manager and parole officer, I was able to stabilize my life so that I am no longer on parole which opened up many new doors for employment opportunities. I had to unlearn some things and re-learn some things in order to become a decent, constructive member of society again. New Endeavors taught me how to be responsible. They taught me how to make and keep appointments, take medication now prescribed and ask for help when I needed. Thanks to New Endeavors, my life became very structured. Now I know how to make good sound decisions and the best choices for myself. I am motivated, responsible, respectful, grateful and humble.

While at New Endeavors, I applied for and was accepted in a one year Training Program at Thrive DC as a part-time Program Assistant where I receive a stipend. I worked alongside Thrive DC's Program Coordinator to ensure that over 250 homeless men and women receive quality support services each morning. I made huge strides in becoming employment-ready and independent, gaining knowledge in hospitality and human services. I saved 30% of my stipend and stuck to a weekly budget and schedule that my case manager and I created. Because of the reception and love I received from New Endeavors, I've developed a passion for helping people and now crave a career in the Social Services field. My stay at New Endeavors was a success and I'll be forever thankful and grateful for them. In addition to my training as a Program Assistant, I'm also employed at N Street Village Shelter as a Volunteer Employee and plan to attend UDC in the fall of 2010 in pursuit of a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. Eighteen months sober, I am now in independent living, paying 30% of my income and just loving it. I am forever grateful to New Endeavors because they welcomed me with open arms, gave me a home and helped me pick up the pieces.

To sum it all up, New Endeavors has given me hope. I feel like I have another chance in life. Please understand; I’m not saying that everything is perfect. I look forward to creating an even better life one day, one week, one month, and one year at a time. New Endeavors gave me the firm-footing that I needed to acknowledge my issues, deal with my failures, and learn from past mistakes as I continue to strive towards building a better future.

Success Story Profile: Patricia

Patricia's Story*

“My desire to live the American dream was reborn.”
– Patricia*, New Endeavors by Women resident

* The name of the author has been changed for privacy

My name is Patricia. I am a 49 year old recovering addict, and mother of three adult children. I am the youngest of eight siblings. During my childhood I loved going to school and learning new things, I had a zest for life.

As a child, I was raised by alcoholic parents. From age 9 until 13, I was sexually molested by my stepfather, so I’m also a survivor of molestation. I began to runaway from home, skip school and became what society calls “beyond control.” My mother killed my stepfather and was sent to prison for two years. I was put into the system and went to Cedar Knoll group home. I was also sent to live with different relatives. At age 15, I became pregnant with my first child. Not knowing anything about raising a child, I asked my grandmother to raise her. By the age of 18, I was pregnant with another child and I decided to try motherhood while living with my biological father. For a while, with the help of my father, it worked. I had a job at McDonalds and I returned to school and obtained my GED in 1981.

After getting my GED and taking Civil Service Exam, I began working for the Federal Government, where I stayed for five years. I started to live a good life, renting an apartment with my last child’s father, and living life as a productive member of society. I was happy, but it all shattered when the relationship started to crumble. I began using drugs at 26, and as a result of my continuous using, I resigned from the job. I lost the apartment and everything that was part of my good life. I began a vicious cycle of street life, selling and using drugs, homelessness, and incarceration.

I was arrested and convicted in 1991 for drug distribution, and I served a one to three year sentence with a one year parole. After completing the sentence, I continued a whirlwind of continuous using and selling drugs. My life was in a downward spiral until I was arrested again in 2002 for distribution, and was incarcerated for three months and ordered into a 28-day program with two years of probation. This was my first time in a drug treatment program. When I completed treatment, I went to live at my sister’s home. I was home for two weeks before I started using again and selling drugs. I was afraid of being incarcerated again because I was not in compliance with the probation, so I went on the run. Being on the run, I could no longer go to my sister’s house, so I lived on the streets. When I became homeless, my addiction became worse. I was convicted and sentenced to a 50 month prison term.

Looking at my life while incarcerated, which wasn’t a pretty picture, I began to realize that I wanted my life to be different when I returned to society. For an addict like me who always wanted to be in control of her life, who never admitted that I was an addict, it was hard to look at my life. But looking at myself made me realize that I no longer wanted to live like I was living before my third felony conviction. I no longer wanted to use drugs, I no longer wanted to sell drugs, and I no longer wanted to be incarcerated. My desire to live the American dream was reborn. I wanted my good life back again. So I prayed to God to help me change my life, and I began to take steps while incarcerated to do something to help myself when I returned to society.

Since I was released from prison in September 2007, my life has been blessed. I allowed God to guide me through everything, and He placed people in my life while I was in a halfway house for four months. My case worker there contacted New Endeavors by Women (NEW) and I was given the opportunity to come to NEW when I was released from federal custody on January 20, 2008.

Since being at NEW, I have reunited with my children, I have become employable, and I have obtained my Food Handler’s certification. I completed a nine-month Aftercare program at CATAADA House, which is a requirement for NEW residents. I completed the Project Empowerment Program and obtained permanent employment. I am learning about saving money and balancing a checkbook. I have twice been given certificates of recognition at NEW for being a Model Resident, twice I was one of “The Women of the Month,” and I have been awarded various other certificates of recognition. I am learning and relearning so many different things here at NEW. I have so much appreciation for the staff at NEW and all the wonderful people God has placed in my life. I am a productive member of society, and for me that in itself is a miracle. Today my life is good.