We serve Simple Lenten Meals (en español) in the North Conference Room on the Friday evenings of Lent following the 6pm Stations of the Cross. Join us for the sustenance of food and fellowship!
Each Friday we collect donations to benefit a different community-based organization in Washington, DC. On Friday, March 14, the beneficiary will be the Catholic Charities Welcome Home Reentry Program with guest speaker Rev. Karen D. Harrison, Reentry Coordinator for the District of Columbia, and volunteer mentors who help to successfully reintegrate men and women returning to the community after incarceration by providing one-on-one support including employment, housing, and social services assistance.
Consider spending your early Friday evening with St. Matthew's family and friends - come for the 5:30pm Mass, 6pm Stations of the Cross and end with a shared meal, organized by the RCIA, and this great opportunity of almsgiving to our community.
Welcome Home Reentry Program
The following is excerpted from the Catholic Charities website: http://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/welcomehome
Welcome Home Reentry Program
Providing mentoring to men and women returning to their communities after incarceration.
Our goal is to help prevent returning citizens from falling back to previous mistakes by helping them find and follow a path to a new career. We do this by creating a support network centered around volunteer mentors who work closely with returning citizens. Together, we help overcome big and small obstacle on route to finding a job, a safe place to live, and a community of support.
Everyone needs a second chance.
§ Each year approximately 20,000 persons return home in our region from serving their time in prison.
§ Most of these men and women will experience great difficulty in managing basic necessities for successful reintegration: finding work and housing, reunifying with family, accessing health and substance abuse services that are crucial for recovery.
§ Many newly released individuals are estranged from family and friends, or are choosing to find newer, more supportive network.
Referrals can be made online to our program. Please select a jurisdiction for details.
District of Columbia
Montgomery County MD
Prince George’s County MD
Charles County MD (all have website links)
Become a mentor. Make a difference.
Help us give returning citizens the opportunity to be productive and positive members of our community! Contacts, connection and community are needed to help these neighbors continue their commitment to build better lives for themselves and their families. To find the date of the next Volunteer Orientation, please contact Rev. Karen Harrison at (202) 610-7160, ext. 7038.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor, we'd love to hear from you! Please indicate your county of residence to begin your mentor application.
District of Columbia
Montgomery County MD
Prince George’s County MD
Charles County MD (all have website links)
Contact Information (links w/ maps on website)
Karen V. McNeal
Program Manager
924 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 772-4300 ext. 040
Rev. Karen D. Harrison
Reentry Coordinator, District of Columbia
Unity Health Care - Anacostia Center
1500 Galen Street SE
Washington, DC 20020
Phone: (202) 610-7160 ext. 7038
(Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Charles Co.'s contact information provided on website)
Organize a donation drive!
Help is always needed in the form of financial donations, gift cards or goods. Please consider hosting a drive or donating items for the men and women returning home. We especially need groups to help pack hygiene kits, which include soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, razor, etc. Sign up to help out here (link on website).