Atlantic Gardens/Southern Hills Newsletter: March 2008
Samaritan's Feet, along with City Gate, Paramount Baptist, and St. Thomas More Catholic Church, are giving away 750 pairs of athletic shoes
The five-day event will be centered around a neighborhood in Southeast, Washington, DC where, recently, a mother took the life of her four children; the bodies were found only months later during an eviction. After spending time in the neighborhood, J. Rollins, the DC Mission Coordinator and a Director of the organization, said "That neighborhood in southeast was already full of despair and a feeling of being forgotten and neglected. The tragic event we all saw play out in the news only amplified their feeling of being disenfranchised. We want to go into that neighborhood and lift that community up and let them know that they are loved and not forgotten."
In addition to a hot meal, thousands of pairs of new athletic shoes and socks will be distributed.
But the giveaway has a special twist. Before each person is given a clean pair of socks and new shoes, a volunteer washes their feet — similar to John 13:1–17, in which Christ washes his disciples' feet.
(From Samaritan's Feet Press Release)
Date: March 15, 2008
Time: 9:30am – 4:00pm (Shoes will be given away on a first-come first-served basis.)
Location: Paramount Baptist Church
3924 4th Street, SE.
Washington, DC
For more information please contact Ms. Newby at 202-361-6573 or 202-561-5113.
Black History Month at the Gardens
We had a lovely time sharing our black heritage with the youth in our programming. Black Historians featured included Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Harriett Tubman, and many more. One of the things our youth had the opportunity to do was go the Washington Wizard's basketball game. During that game Black Historians were honored and Aaron Neville came and sung a couple of Gospel spirituals speaking on the plight of black history. It was a great experience for our young people and also a great experience for the staff.
If you would like more information about City Gate and its programming please give Ms. Newby a call at 202-561-5113/202-361-6573.
Calendar
- March 8, 2008 – Samaritan's Feet Prayer Walk at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 12:00 noon – 3:00pm
- March 15, 2008 – Samaritan's Feet Shoe Giveaway at Paramount Baptist Church · 3924 4th Street SE Washington, DC
You must come early in order to have a greater chance at getting some new shoes. Volunteers will wash the feet of the children, dry them off, and place new socks and shoes on their feet. This process will take place after you receive your wrist band which will guarantee you a pair of shoes. As Jesus washed His disciples' feet so do we.
City Gate at Atlantic Gardens offers free After-care Programming
City Gate welcomes the WINN Residential Community the opportunity to co-labor together and prepare our young people for a positive experience in life. If you live in this community your children qualify for free after-care programming. Our after-care hours of operation are Monday to Friday except holidays 3:15pm – 6:00pm. We also have evening programs for the older youth; please contact Ms. Newby for further information at 202-361-6573.
Valentine's Day Celebration, City Gate Style!
Valentine's Day is a time to show your love to that special someone whether it's mommy, daddy, sister, brother, family or that special someone that pulls at your heart strings. It is a time to remember and celebrate. But we know that love should be shown every day and all year and that's what we strive for today in a time where so much hatred is being displayed. When you look at Black History and Valentine's Day being celebrated in the same month, I see the celebration for the love of Black History. This is the plight of our black history: their love for freedom and hope for the future pushed them to make great strides in this land and country. Please do not allow their labor of love to be in vain. Young black men: go to school and get your education. I know what the streets and society say, but it doesn't have the last word; you play a part in that story. You become the writer of your own play and make it an OSCAR winner! Young black women: you are created to make His praise glorious, you are more than an average chick. You have great potential and destiny locked inside of you waiting to come out. You owe it to yourself to push it out! YOU! Young people are tomorrow's black historians. What impact do you intend to make when the future generation looks back and sees you?
