RACHAEL'S WOMEN'S CENTER

RACHAEL'S WOMEN'S CENTER…THE FIRST THIRTY YEARS

1979 - In response to community needs, Kathleen Guinan and volunteers open first Rachael's Women's Center at 11th and Q Streets, transforming the run-down house into a place of hospitality and hope.

1981 - Rachael's becomes incorporated.

1983 - Rachael's moves to 1006 M Street, NW and hires Mary Ann Luby as its first Director.

1984 - Rachael's becomes a 501©3 and begins applying for grants to support its programs.

1986 - The second full-time staff person is hired. Rachael's sees 25-35 women each month.

1988 - Rachael's adds more groups such as HIV Support and Women's Issues. Lutheran Social Services places a social worker at the Center to work with chronically mentally ill women.

1991 - Rachael's purchases the house at 1222 11th Street, NW and now has three full-time staff and one full-time Jesuit Volunteer.

1993 - Rachael's begins its Street Outreach program.

1994 - Mary Ann Luby leaves, Willa Morris becomes the new Executive Director. Rachael's holds its first 5K Run for the Homeless.

1995 - With an operating budget of $150,000, Rachael's now consists of three full-time employees, one full-time Jesuit Volunteer, and several VISTA volunteers.

1996 - Rachael's expands its morning hours and adds the Breakfast program. The full-time Outreach Coordinator position is created. The Center also holds its first Annual Silent Auction in addition to the 5K Run. A job-training program is started in conjunction with Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein and Fox.

1997 - Rachael's pays off its mortgage! The Center adds Saturday hours, and hires another Case Manager. Along with Hannah House, and Calvary Women's Shelter, Rachael's forms the Women's Mental Health Collaborative. A Spring Gala is added to Rachael's repertoire of fundraising events.

1998 - Willa Morris leaves and Tracey Rollins is hired as the new Executive Director. Rachael's now has 7 full-time employees, one full-time social worker from Lutheran Social Services, one full-time Jesuit Volunteer, and 2 part time employees. The Center sees an average of 44 women per day.

1999 - The Center celebrates its 20th anniversary, kicking off the year with its first annual 8K Valentine's Day Run. The Center now has 8 full-time employees, one full-time social worker from Lutheran Social Services, one full-time Jesuit Volunteer, and 2 part time employees. The annual budget has grown to $380,000.

2003 - Dawn Swan joins Rachael's as the new Executive Director in place of Tracey Rollins. Racahel's also opens a Permanent Housing Program that, today houses 17 women who were chronically homeless.

2004 - Rachael's celebrates its 25th anniversary!

2005 - Rachael's raises more than $50,000 at the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon. This is our most successful Walkathon to date!

2006 - Rachael's now has 10 full-time employees, 3 part-time employees, two full-time Activities Coordinators from Lutheran Volunteer Corps and AVODAH, one intern from Howard University, and an army of volunteers. The Center receives a grant from the Meyer Foundation to renovate the basement. The basement is office space for the Activity Coordinators, House Manager and also includes the Outreach Office. The space will be outfitted with a commercial shower room for the men visiting the Outreach Office for services.

2008-Rachael's is chosen by reviewers for the 2008-09 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. Selected from a field of nearly 200 organizations, the Catalogue acknowledges Rachael's Women's Center as "one of the best small charities in the Washington DC Region"

2009- Rachael's celebrates 30 Years of Community Service, One day at a Time, One Woman at a Time