A Note From Amy
Dear neighbors,
At A Wider Circle, community is more than a value — it’s the foundation of everything we do. Every day, we engage with neighbors as clients, volunteers, donors, and partners, and we’re reminded of the power of coming together.
Home Reimagined was a beautiful example of this on a grand scale. Dozens of designers, movers, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and staff poured their hearts into transforming homes for 35 families. From collecting items ahead of time to delivering lunches and small touches on event day, every detail was an act of care. The attention, love, and commitment from everyone involved were overwhelming, and the end results reflected it.
After the event, I wrote to our staff: “We hear it takes a village—and we proved it like no other. Hundreds came together with a shared purpose: to support our neighbors. This is what a wider circle of compassion looks like.”
From Germantown to Woodbridge and beyond, Home Reimagined was more than a makeover event—it was a celebration of human connection and neighbor helping neighbor.
In times like these, community matters. Compassion matters. And thanks to all of you, we’re making it possible.
With Gratitude,
Amy Javaid
President & CEO
P.S. In case you missed it, June is Matching Gifts Month at A Wider Circle! All gifts this month will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $150,000.
Matching Gifts Month
A group of generous donors has pledged this match so that your gift can go twice as far — providing critical services like mental health support, career services, and basic need items including furniture to those who need them most.
Will you join us by making a gift this month and doubling your impact?
With your help, we can create change — and offer hope from one neighbor to another. Together, we can reach more people, provide more support, and build a stronger, more resilient community.
Home Reimagined: Before and After
On May 8, we transformed 35 empty or sparsely furnished apartments and houses into warm, comfortable, functional, and beautiful homes!
Home Reimagined was possible with the support of dozens of professional designers, moving companies, volunteers, sponsors, and neighbors like you! Take a look at some of our before-and-after photos to see what you helped make possible.
The Last Mile Home
Last month, journalist and AWC volunteer Maggie Fox sat down with Chief Program Officer Eddy Ameen, Director of Essential Support, Allie Imhoff, and our partners at Name Your Price Movers to discuss our new client delivery pilot project, Last Mile Home.
Check out Maggie’s article here to learn about this exciting new initiative!
Happenings at the Hub
Along with our regular programming, activities at the Hub this month included a food allergy workshop, a mental health workshop with Fresh Energy Wellness, and a Mother’s Day self-care workshop (pictured above)!
We hope all the moms in our circle had a happy Mother’s Day!
Fill the Need: June
In every issue of First Friday, Fill the Need highlights 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 June:
- Drop It Off: This month, we’re looking for car seats! You can help by donating gently-used car seats! Before donating, please make sure to check that the car seat is not past its expiration date (usually printed on the bottom) and is not subject to any recalls. 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 items for our Ward 8 Hub, including snacks, adult wipes and camping lights for unhoused neighbors who visit, and printer paper. Additionally, our food pantry is currently running low on items — you can help fill this need by visiting our pantry item Amazon Wishlist here.
- Fund It: This month, your donations will help cover general operating expenses, and since it’s Matching Gifts Month, they’ll be MATCHED, dollar for dollar. Click here to make a gift.
With your support, we can provide our neighbors with exactly what they need, when they need it most.
Circling Back
Tomorrow: Annual Spring Yard Sale!
You’re invited to our 2nd Annual Spring Yard Sale this Saturday, June 7, from 12:00–3:00 p.m. at our Community Connections Center (satellite warehouse) at 2618 Pittman Drive in Silver Spring.
We’ll have a wide variety of donated items that don’t match the most requested needs of our neighbors, but still have plenty of value and potential for a new home!
Here’s a peek at what you’ll find:
- Patio furniture
- Gardening tools & supplies
- Car accessories
- Pet supplies
- And much more!
Important Update About Dropping Off Donations
Thanks to the generosity of neighbors like you, our space for in-kind donations is currently full! And, due to temporary closure of the county transfer station, we have no ability to remove and dispose of trash items.
As a result, we need to pause on all non-furniture in-kind donations until the transfer station is open and we can make space. We anticipate re-opening for in-kind donation drop-off on Monday June 9 at 9:00 a.m. Thank you for your understanding.
Styled By Jen: Carol
In this month’s Styled By Jen, Jen gives a new look to Carol, President of the Highland Dwellings Resident Council at our Ward 8 Hub!
Anthropologie Private Shopping Fundraising Event
Join A Wider Circle at Anthropologie in Georgetown for a morning of giving back to the community, transitional styling advice from an Anthropologie Five-Star Stylist, private shopping, and fun! Brunch-style small bites and beverages will be served. Free entry into a drawing to win one of several door prizes. Bring three to seven professional clothing items that are in dignity condition — free of holes, tears, stains, etc. to donate to A Wider Circle’s Professional Development Center and enjoy networking with other professionals from across the Washington Metropolitan area.
Event Overview:
Shop & Support: Professional Clothing Donation Event
Presented by A Wider Circle, Hosted by Anthropologie Georgetown
Sunday, June 29, 2025 10 a.m. to noon
Space is limited. RSVP by June 20, 2025. Free to attend with suggested minimum donation of $25.
Save the Date!
Mark your calendars! This year, Neighbor to Neighbor Night will be back at our Center for Community Service in Silver Spring on Thursday, October 9. Stay tuned for more details to come!
May at A Wider Circle
In May at A Wider Circle:
- 239 homes were furnished
- 734 visits were made to our Ward 8 Hub
- 215 families in Southeast DC received market bags
- 35 parents received baby items for their new arrivals
- 71 job seekers were supported on their journey to finding meaningful employment
- 148 job seekers received professional clothing
- 1,490 donations of furniture, home goods, and professional clothing were contributed
- 455 volunteers joined us to serve
Thank you to the volunteer groups who joined us in May:
Albert Einstein High School National Honor Society, WSSC Water Team H20, Elizabeth Seton High School, Capital One, Montgomery College Takoma Park, Terps for Change, NRECA, World Bank, Eta Sigma Alumnae, Bowie State National Council of Negro Women, McLean School, Marriott International, The Nora School, Temple Sinai Men’s Club, Discovery Education, Parkmont School, and Calibre CP Group PLLC
Thank you — we could not do this without your support.