A Note From Amy
Dear neighbors,
This week, we received a message from a father of four. He asked what kinds of bites, infections, or illnesses his children might get from sleeping on the floor without beds or blankets. He had no resources for medical care or furniture.
His children weren’t just losing sleep. They were getting sick.
Reading his note brought tears to my eyes. I imagined my own daughters coming to me with bites on their arms and legs, just from trying to rest. No child should have to experience that.
All children deserve a safe, clean place to sleep. A bed. And more.
They deserve a space to share a meal or curl up with a parent; a space that offers warmth, dignity, and a sense of home.
Next week, is our annual Home Reimagined initiative, an expansion of our Essential Support program. Through Home Reimagined, 35 homes will be fully transformed into welcoming spaces for children and adults alike. Every child will have a bed, along with linens, toys, decorations, and more.
It is heartbreaking to receive messages like that father’s… and to know there are so many more families in our region facing the same struggles. A Wider Circle exists to meet these needs — and to end furniture poverty — by providing essential items and other comprehensive support to our neighbors.
We invite you to read on and learn how you can help, sharing your time, talents, resources, or simply your voice.
Together, we can make a house feel like home.
With Gratitude,
Amy Javaid
President & CEO
In This First Friday:
- Home Reimagined 2025
- Prom Giveaway
- Happenings at the Hub
- Fill The Need: May
- Circling Back
- April at AWC
Home Reimagined 2025
Did you catch us on Fox 5 this week? A Wider Circle’s Lara Gagrica joined Fox 5 Morning to share how we’ll be fully transforming THIRTY-FIVE unfurnished spaces for Home Reimagined — less than one week from today! Check it out here.
You can also learn more about how we’ve been preparing for the big day in our latest blog post: Getting Ready for Home Reimagined.
Want to support Home Reimagined? It’s not too late!
Help us bring it all together: this month, gifts to our Fill the Need page will help cover the final touches that make the day truly special.
Prom Giveaway
With the help of your donations, our special prom giveaway on April 12 was a great success, serving over 150 local high schoolers!
Many thanks to Once Upon A Prom Bethesda for partnering with us and for all who donated and volunteered to help local students find outfits and accessories to feel confident and celebrated for their big night. Click through the slide show above to see some highlights!
Happenings at the Hub
Along with our regular programming, activities at the Hub this month included a children’s clothing and diaper giveaway, a presentation on dental health (where all residents took home a dental hygiene goody bag), and a planting workshop facilitated by one of our local Hub volunteers!
Pictured above, volunteer Angela taught the 14 neighbors in attendance how to grow their own herbs and vegetables using simple, low-cost items.
Fill the Need: May
This month, we’re introducing Fill the Need! In every issue of First Friday, Fill the Need will highlight three specific ways you can help make an immediate impact. Whether you choose to Drop It Off, Ship It, or Fund It, your support makes it easy to fill our most urgent needs.
Here’s how you can Fill the Need this May:
- Drop It Off: This month, we’re running low on sheet sets! You can help by donating gently-used sheet sets in dignity condition — no rips or stains, please! All sizes are needed, but please make sure to donate complete sets with flat sheet, fitted sheet, and pillowcase(s). You can find donation drop-off hours for our Silver Spring Center here.
- Ship It: Want to help but don’t have the item on hand? Check out our Fill the Need Wishlist to purchase a high-need item and have it shipped directly to us. This month, we’re looking for new pillows, as well as snacks and coffee for our Ward 8 Hub.
- Fund It: Some opportunities to support our work arise outside of our regular budget. Each month, we’ll share one specific item or service that your gift can help fund — something timely and meaningful that will make a real difference. This month, your donations will help cover last-minute purchases for Home Reimagined on May 8. Click here to make a gift to support this need.
With your support, we can provide our neighbors with exactly what they need, when they need it most.
Circling Back
Introducing: Styled by Jen
In our new monthly feature, Styled by Jen, volunteer stylist Jen Tidwell will spotlight a neighbor she worked with, highlighting their journey with a new favorite outfit from A Wider Circle and increased confidence.
From Hotels to Homes
In our April blog, we shared how a partnership with Host Hotels & Resorts that began in 2022 has transformed into a sustainable bulk donations program that allowed us to redistribute an extra 21,000 pieces of furniture in 2024. Check it out here.
We’re Hiring!
Make a difference by joining our team!
Open positions include:
- Director of Marketing & Communications
- Driver & Loader – In-Kind Donations Inventory
- Office Coordinator
Leaning on community in a time of uncertainty
We understand that the current upheaval in Washington is affecting many neighbors in our community, including individuals, families, and local businesses who have been generous partners in our efforts.
- If you’re looking for support in seeking new employment opportunities, you can learn more about the services offered by our Career Support program or fill out our Career Support interest form.
- If you’ve been impacted by recent events and would like to pause your recurring gift or opt out of fundraising emails, we completely understand. To make any changes, please email our Development team to let us know how we can assist you.
- If you are a neighbor who is uplifted by volunteering, you can click here to find a time to join our team. Helping others can be a powerful way to find hope and connection in our community.
- If you’d like to read about more ways to support local organizations, check out this article from the Greater Washington Community Foundation: Supporting Nonprofits in Uncertain Times: What You Can Do Right Now.
Corporate Volunteer Opportunities
Is your team looking for a meaningful way to give back?
Corporate volunteer experiences at A Wider Circle offer the chance to foster team connection, support our neighbors, and create lasting memories outside the office.
Whether you’re a small team or a large department, your impact matters. Learn more.
April at A Wider Circle
In April at A Wider Circle:
- 233 homes were furnished
- 931 visits were made to our Ward 8 Hub
- 215 families in Southeast DC received market bags
- 38 parents received baby items for their new arrivals
- 55 job seekers were supported on their journey to finding meaningful employment
- 223 job seekers received professional clothing
- 1,402 donations of furniture, home goods, and professional clothing were contributed
- 698 volunteers joined us to serve
Thank you to the volunteers who joined us to serve in April — National Volunteer Appreciation Month! We’re incredibly grateful to serve with you.
Volunteer groups who joined us in April included:
Terps for Change, Washington Adventist University, Chelsea School, Giving Together, Southern Management, Temple Sinai, Walter Johnson High School’s A Wider Circle Club, McLean School, Walker & Dunlop, Starbucks, Stone Ridge School, Nora High School, George Washington University, St. John’s University and College of Saint Benedict, Faith Baptist Church, Families in Mission Together, Capital One, UMD Safe Center, Sandy Spring Elementary School, AQL, National Cathedral, AvalonBay, Brighter Strategies, World Bank, Norwood Middle School, St. Augustine Catholic Church, Girl Scouts, Spencerville Seventh Day Adventist Church, and Bozzuto.
Thank you — we could not do this without your support.
