SOME’s eNewsletter, March 2008

In this issue:

1. Zagami House Playground Build
2. Empty Bowls Success
3. SOME Implements Electronic Records
4. Alan Feinstein Foundation to Match Your Donations in March and April
5. Did You Know?

1.  Zagami House Playground Build

Zagami House, SOME’s newest affordable housing program, opened its doors to 12 formerly homeless and very poor families in January. On April 11, with the generous support of Giant and in partnership with KaBoom! Zagami House will get an exciting addition; a playground! More than 200 volunteers will build a playground based on the designs of the children at Zagami House. The new playground will support SOME’s mission of providing services that value the dignity of the people it serves by offering a safe community space for the families at Zagami House. Learn more and volunteer to help build the playground.

2.   Empty Bowls Success

Thank you to all who attended Empty Bowls at St. Charles Church in Virginia on March 6th or Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Washington, DC on March 10th. With your help we raised over $11,000 for our meal programs.  SOME would especially like to thank the Clay Connection and local area artists who supplied beautiful bowls.  We hope you’ll join us again next year!

3.  SOME Implements Electronic Records

On May 5th, SOME’s Medical and Behavioral Health clinics, Transitional Housing Programs and Addiction Recovery Services, in conjunction with the DC Primary Care Association (DCPCA), will implement an electronic medical records program.  Along with five other participants in the District, SOME was chosen to receive the software along with $65,000 worth of new computer equipment from the DCPCA.  The equipment will improve recording and ensure clients’ safety.  In the long term, it will save more time and allow the clinic to be more efficient.

4. Alan Feinstein Foundation to Match Your Donations in March and April

For the eleventh straight year, the Alan Feinstein Foundation in Rhode Island will divide $1 million among hunger fighting agencies nationwide using it to help them raise funds during March and April of 2008. If you are planning to make a gift to SOME this spring, please consider sending your gift before the end of April to help SOME qualify for matching funds. Your donation toward this campaign makes you partners in the most successful grassroots campaign to fight hunger.  We thank you, and the Alan Feinstein Foundation for helping the hungry and homeless in our community. Make a gift today.

5.  Did You Know…

that Freddie Mac's 2008 Hoops for the Homeless Basketball Tournament will be held on  September 13th at the Verizon Center? Click here for more information.