A Note From Amy
Dear neighbors,
In recent weeks, I have spent time with other nonprofits talking about the state of our ecosystem. In some cases, I was an audience member, in some, a participant, and in some, a key presenter. Despite the varying forums for these discussions, there were several points of agreement:
- The nonprofit landscape is changing.
- Funding from all sources is in jeopardy.
- The demand is different, with some afraid to seek services and others seeking them for the first time.
- Partnership is critical, but difficult, when there’s economic uncertainty and funding strain.
- Keeping up with changing regulations is a necessary time investment.
It’s hard to know where to focus, what to prioritize, and how to lead. But leading is critical, standing firm in our mission is a non-negotiable, and being a community partner is a top priority.
We are excited to celebrate with you, our community, this coming week at Neighbor to Neighbor Night. It is an incredible chance to showcase where we have been and what we have accomplished. And it is also a critical opportunity to highlight the road we are on, the obstacles we face, and the challenges that lie ahead.
We have done this work for 24 years, and as we kicked off our 25th year of service on October 1, we did so with the belief that with the support of many, including all of you, we will navigate a path forward.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
With Gratitude,
Amy Javaid
President & CEO
Neighbor to Neighbor Night: Sneaker Soirée
ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT! GET YOURS BEFORE THEY SELL OUT!
A Wider Circle’s Neighbor to Neighbor Night 2025 will be a SNEAKER SOIRÉE!
Our annual Neighbor to Neighbor Night fundraising gala honors the strength and generosity of the community we serve. This evening highlights the importance of our work supporting families transitioning into stable, furnished homes; job seekers building their career path; and community members investing in their neighborhood.
Join us in your festive attire (and sneakers) as we Step into Stability:
Thursday, October 9, 2025
6:30 pm – 10:30 pm
The Ann & Don Brown Center for Community Service
9159 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Join us to celebrate shared progress and ensure ongoing support for all who seek it. The gathering is more than a celebration; it’s a reminder that lasting change begins when we stand together.
Select sponsorship opportunities and tickets still available!
HEAL DC: Helping Young Men Break the Cycle of Gun Violence
At A Wider Circle, we’re proud to partner with organizations that help people transform their lives. Recently, our Career Support program worked with Peace for DC’s HEAL DC program (Healthy, Empowered, Achieving Leaders for DC) to support a group of ten young men who were caught in the cycle of gun violence in DC’s Anacostia neighborhood.
In our latest blog post, we interviewed A Wider Circle’s Senior Program Advisor, Adam Albanese, who served as the lead career coach for HEAL DC participants.
Check it out here.
Our New Corporate Advisory Council
On October 1, we launched A Wider Circle’s brand new Corporate Advisory Council!
This group of nine business leaders in the region will:
- Serve as Ambassadors for A Wider Circle, by identifying corporate partnership prospects, identifying relationship pathways, and seeking strategies for engagement.
- Advise the President/CEO regarding operational strategies and structures relating to corporate partnerships.
- Advise the President/CEO and development staff regarding strategies aimed at increasing the effectiveness of fundraising efforts with corporations.
Fill the Need: October
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 October:
- Drop It Off: This month, we have a big need for sheet sets of all sizes and lamps. All items should be gently-used (or new!) and free of rips or stains. Donation drop-off hours for our Silver Spring Center can be found 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, our Ward 8 Hub is looking for Coffee Creamer and Sugar (for coffee for visitors and workshop attendees), and we are also looking for Dove Sensitive Skin Soap for our Market Bag program.
- 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 allow us to purchase grocery gift cards to help meet an increase in requests for food assistance. Your donations give us the flexibility to purchase cards for stores closest to where our clients live. 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
Operations Update
Please note that in order to prepare for Neighbor to Neighbor Night, our offices will be closed for the day on Thursday, October 9. Additionally, to regroup after the event, we will be opening at 12:00 pm on Friday, October 10.
If you have any questions about changes in our hours of operation, please check our website before heading our way!
Styled By Jen: Val
In this month’s Styled By Jen, Jen helped Val, another wonderful intern at our Ward 8 Hub, create a polished and professional look compared to her everyday casual style.
CFC Update
Last month, we shared how the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) — the federal government’s longstanding workplace giving program — was at risk of being eliminated.
We are pleased to share that thanks to your voices and collective advocacy throughout the country, the 2025 Combined Federal Campaign has been officially reinstated. While the future of the CFC beyond 2025 is uncertain, the campaign launched as originally planned on October 1, 2025.
We are deeply grateful to all of you who stood with us in this effort. Your support not only preserved this vital funding stream but also reinforced the strength of our community when we act together.
Join our Circle of Supporters
One of the best ways to make your support of A Wider Circle last is to become a recurring donor! Signing up to make a monthly or quarterly donation to A Wider Circle ensures that we can provide innovative programming and services for our neighbors all year long.
SAVE THE DATE! Home Reimagined 2026
In 2025, we transformed 35 homes in 1 day.
In 2026, we will transform 50.
Yes, 50 homes, all in 1 day.
Save the date! On Thursday, May 7, 2026, we’ll host our biggest Home Reimagined yet!
Learn more here.
DAF Day
Next Thursday, October 9, is DAF Day! A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a tax-advantaged charitable giving account.
DAFs are often compared to a 401(k) for retirement savings or a Health Savings Account (HSA) for healthcare expenses.
Any person, couple, family — or even company — can open a DAF account at more than 1,000 providers around the country. DAFs have surged in popularity in recent years because they are incredibly effective at increasing giving capacity and streamlining philanthropy.
If you’re interested in supporting A Wider Circle through a Donor Advised Fund, you can learn more at the DAF Day website.
September at A Wider Circle
In September at A Wider Circle:
- 285 homes were furnished
- 926 visits were made to our Ward 8 Hub
- 215 families in Southeast DC received market bags
- 33 parents received baby items for their new arrivals
- 93 job seekers were supported on their journey to finding meaningful employment
- 172 job seekers received professional clothing
- 1,369 donations of furniture, home goods, and professional clothing were contributed
- 272 volunteers joined us to serve
Thank you to the volunteer groups who joined us in September:
Bullis School, Giving Together, JBG Smith, Capital One, The Potomac School, Junior League, Silver Spring Masonic Lodge #215, Temple Sinai Men’s Club, The Ohio State University 4-H, Clark Construction, Marriott International Law Department, University of Michigan Alumni Club of Greater Washington, WittKieffer, and With Love Organization UMD.
Thank you — we could not do this without your support.
