Calvary Women's Services

Your support provides 46 homeless women with a safe home each night and helps them achieve their own goals for good health, education, employment, recovery from addiction and more.

Why do we exist?

Calvary Women’s Services is a non-sectarian organization that provides housing and comprehensive support services to homeless women in Washington, DC.  For over 20 years, we have been guided by our mission “to achieve excellence in what we offer – a safe, caring place for tonight; support, hope and change for tomorrow.”

Calvary was founded in 1983 at a time when homelessness was increasing in Washington, DC and throughout the country.  Opened as a temporary overnight shelter for women in the basement of Calvary Baptist Church, Calvary Women’s Shelter incorporated in late 1983 to meet the ongoing needs of women.  Since that time, Calvary has continued to grow and strengthen its programs – transforming our emergency shelter into a transitional housing program, opening two additional housing programs, and offering an array of support services.  In 2001 we became “Calvary Women’s Services” to recognize the comprehensive range of services we offer. 

Calvary’s goals are two-fold: to provide women safe, dignified housing and to educate and empower women for independent living.  Our small, intimate programs allow for individualized attention for women.  Our philosophy enables women to take control of their lives and to plan their futures. 

Our programs help each woman address the root causes of homelessness and prepare for independent living.  We offer psychiatric and therapy services, addiction recovery services, Life Skills classes, individual case management, nutritious meals, and supported employment.

What have you accomplished?

Calvary’s programs work.  Each year over one-third of the women at Calvary Women’s Shelter move into more permanent housing.  Many others take positive steps on the journey out of homelessness.

One woman who has changed her life through Calvary’s programs is Laurel.  Laurel was in her mid-thirties when the unthinkable happened – she found herself homeless, not knowing where to turn for help.  Her husband, whose abuse had escalated from verbal to physical, tried to kill her one night. Laurel was traumatized but survived.  She moved into her own apartment to escape him.

Incredibly, Laurel was soon diagnosed with cancer.  Though she survived, the medical bills overwhelmed her.  She lost her apartment and found herself with nowhere to live.  Fortunately, she found her way to Calvary.

At Calvary Laurel found the support she needed to begin to rebuild her life.  There was a therapist to help her address her history of abuse and loss.  There were staff members to offer daily care.  There was a case manager devoted to her, to connect her to all of the services she needed and to assist in her in setting goals to make it on her own.

After working with Calvary’s programs to prepare for independent living, Laurel moved into a two year housing program with other women working toward the same goals.  She got her GED and worked with STRIDE, Calvary’s supported employment program that helps formerly homeless women re-enter the job market.  Now, after nearly two years of working toward that goal, she is moving into her own apartment – this time with the skills and support to ensure her continued success.

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