Tickets are on sale NOW for the fourth annual Magic and Miracles at the Ritz-Carlton on Wednesday, November 30th.
Don’t miss out on a fabulous and inspiring event with Master of Ceremonies Kojo Nnamdi from WAMU Talk Radio. We will be honoring Nancy Squires of The Squires Group at the event.
Buy your tickets TODAY to get the Early Bird Special – two tickets for the price of one! Hurry! Special ends on October 16th.
We hope you’ll join us!
Ready, Willing and Working is excited to announce that we’ve been nominated for the Community Service Award at the Third Annual Hilly Awards produced by CHAMPS – Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce. The Hilly Awards are focused on bringing the community together for one night to celebrate what makes Capitol Hill a great place to live, work and visit. This year, the awards will be held on Sunday, November 13th at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H Street, NE).
For a complete listing of all Hilly Awards Nominees and to cast your ballot for RWW, visit www.capitolhill.org.
Save the Date for our 4th Annual Magic and Miracles fundraiser to benefit Ready, Willing and Working.
The event will be held on Wednesday, November 30th from 6-9pm at the Ritz-Carlton (1150 22nd Street, NW).
Cocktails, dinner, and special presentation with Master of Ceremonies Kojo Nnamdi, WAMU Talk Show Host.
We will also be honoring Nancy Squires of The Squires Group.
Come experience the magic of opportunity and the miracle of the human spirit.
Labor Day is observed this Monday, September 5th. In the dictionary, labor is defined as: 1. a productive activity; 2. the body of persons engaged in such activity, especially those working for wages; and 3. physical or mental work.
To our “men in blue” of RWW, it means so much more.
It means working hard to turn their lives around.
It empowers them to break the cycles of homelessness, criminal recidivism and welfare dependency.
It means creating better lives for their children and families.
As we observe Labor Day this Monday, consider making a donation to Ready, Willing and Working in honor of the tremendous work put forth by the “men in blue” every day of the year. Your support is crucial in ensuring we can continue to provide the resources needed to help these men transform their lives. We now accept donations online, making it easier than ever to help support our cause.
Above: BID Staff and family members getting ready to head into Six Flags. From right to left: Andrew Lee, Director of Operations; Nicole Lee, Andrew’s wife; Patty Brosmer, President; Nicole’s granddaughter Aniyah; and Kelly Maslar, Marketing and Program Manager.
The Capitol Hill BID and Ready, Willing and Working (RWW) held their annual team and family outing on Monday, August 15, at Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The weather was not cooperative at times, but that didn’t stop everyone from having fun! Thankfully, both the luncheon and awards ceremony were held indoors at the park’s Coyote Creek saloon. The rain stopped just as everything wrapped up inside so that team members could enjoy the amusement park with their families.
Team outings are a great way to recognize the success of our RWW team members and reward them for their efforts to make the Capitol Hill area a beautiful destination for residents and tourists alike. After eating a delicious lunch and watching an interactive Bob the Builder stage show, BID/RWW president Patty Brosmer and BID operations director Andrew Lee announced the award winners.
Award categories included:
* Most Improved Clean Team Ambassador
* Green Thumb Award
* Safe Ambassador of the Quarter
* Safe Ambassador Consistency Award
* Clean Team Ambassador of the Quarter
* Most Consistent Team Member
* FISH Award (team member with the most positive attitude)
* President’s Award
* Leadership Award
* Honorable Mentions
Below: Team member Ayittey was excited to receive the Green Thumb Award.
After the awards ceremony, there was a drawing for cash prizes which team members used throughout the rest of their day at Six Flags. Team members also had the opportunity to speak to the group about how RWW impacted their lives. It was inspiring to hear the men discuss their transition from a life of self-destruction and despair to a life as productive, hard-working members of society.
Below: Andrew Lee presents team member Jerome with the FISH Award.
Ready, Willing & Working (RWW) welcomes Carlton Brown as their new case manager for the “Men in Blue.” Mr. Brown has a Masters in Social Work from Howard University and currently works at the Perry School Community Service Center, Inc. where he helps families and individuals with substance abuse issues, economic empowerment and parent mentoring. Mr. Brown will work with the RWW men three days a week focusing on life-skills training, relapse prevention, and individual counseling.
“Thanks to the generous sponsors of our annual fundraiser ‘Magic & Miracles’ we are able to contract with Mr. Brown to provide supportive services that are key to the men’s success in staying drug-free and self-sufficient. Special thanks go out to The Squires Group for donations totaling nearly $25,000,” says Patty Brosmer, president of Ready, Willing & Working.
Director of Operations Andrew Lee added, “Mr. Brown is a great addition to the program. He has led the group in engaging discussions and already signed three men up for GED placement testing.”
Ready, Willing and Working looks forward to many successes working with Mr. Brown.
Other generous Magic & Miracles sponsors included National Capital Bank, the Heritage Foundation, Capitol Hill Exxon, Judy Wood, CPA and CHAMPS.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 7, 2010 – Ready, Willing, and Working (RWW), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization focused on ending the cycles of homelessness, welfare dependency, and criminal recidivism, hosted the Third Annual Magic & Miracles at The Ritz-Carlton, on Thursday, December 2, where they honored George and Harriet McDonald, founders of The Doe Fund (Ready, Willing & Able) and announced the launch of Ready, Willing & Recycling.
Over a hundred guests and supporters of RWW enjoyed cocktails, classic piano and magic tricks before sitting down to dinner and a presentation presided over by former Channel 7 anchor Paul Berry, who stepped in to MC when WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi became ill.
The presentation began with remarks from Drew Hubbard, Committee Director, Housing and Workforce Development, for DC Council Member Michael Brown, who commented on the economic benefits as well as the positive social impacts a program like Ready, Willing & Working brings to D.C. Following Mr. Hubbard was an introductory video by writer/producer Carl Kurlander (St. Elmo’s Fire, Saved by the Bell, etc.) and Matthew McClain of OkTake5 Productions.
Subsequent speakers included Robert Hess, Vice President of Ready, Willing & Able’s Expansion Program and Clarence Carter, Director of the DC Department of Human Services. Director Carter reinforced DCHS’s commitment to RWW and announced further advancements in a pre-fabricated facility for RWW on the St. Elizabeth’s Campus in Southeast DC.
Mr. Berry then announced the new venture Ready, Willing & Recycling, a work-place recycling program that will create jobs, reduce homelessness, and reduce waste. Through Ready, Willing & Recycling, District businesses and organizations can have their used ink and toner cartridges picked up by one of the programs trained workers at no cost and get a tax deduction.
Mr. Berry then shared the story of George and Harriet McDonald, founders of the New York City based The Doe Fund (Ready, Willing & Able), the program RWW emulates in Washington D.C. Patty Brosmer, president of Ready, Willing & Working, gave special tribute to the McDonalds for their vision and many years of successfully implementing programs that provide life-changing opportunities for thousands of homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals inspired the creation of Ready, Willing & Working in Washington, DC.
The evening ended on words from the honorees and George McDonalds concluding statement, “Work Works.”
This event also featured a guest appearance by Elaine Roecklein, Ms. Classic American Woman 2010 and was sponsored by The Squires Group, Inc., The National Capitol Bank, The Capitol Hill Business Improvement District, The Heritage Foundation, Capitol Hill Exxon, Judy Wood, CPA, and CHAMPS – Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce.
All proceeds from the reception benefited Ready, Willing, & Working.
Photos from the Third Annual Magic & Miracles are located in the righthand column under flickr photos.
At The Ritz-Carlton
1150 22nd Street, NW
Washington, D.C.
6 p.m. Cocktail Reception | 7 p.m. Dinner and Presentation
With Master of Ceremonies
Kojo Nnamdi
WAMU Radio Show Host
Honoring George & Harriet McDonald, founders of The Doe Fund (Ready, Willing & Able). Their vision and many years of successfully implementing programs that provide life-changing opportunities for thousands of homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals inspired the creation of Ready, Willing & Working in Washington, DC, and is what keeps us pushing for growth so we can serve many more who want and deserve a spot in our program.
This fabulous event will also feature a guest appearance by Elaine Roecklein, Ms. Classic American Woman 2010 and an introductory video by writer/producer Carl Kurlander (St. Elmo’s Fire, Saved by the Bell, etc.).
For more information, to buy tickets or to donate please visit http://www.magicandmiracles3.eventbrite.com
On March 26, 2010, Ready, Willing & Working, Inc. and The Doe Fund, Inc., in partnership with Building Partnerships, submitted a proposal to the District of Columbia for the lease, renovation and operation of a homeless shelter at The Gales School, 65 Massachusetts Avenue, NE.
If selected the dilapidated historic Gales School will be renovated to to the highest standards, and would be called the “Gales School Center for Opportunity.”
Ready, Willing & Working currently serves 20 homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals providing them with work opportunities and supportive services. Housed in the “Gales School Center for Opportunity” the program would be able to serve a greater number of individuals with a proven solution to ending homelessness and criminal recidivism.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
5 – 8 pm (Check-in starts at 3 pm)
After party at H Street Country Club
CAPITOL HILL – Whether you are a bicycle enthusiast or just like a good competition, Hill and Go Seek is for you. For a $20 entry fee, teams of two are invited to participate in this scavenger hunt style bicycle race hosted by the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District and CHAMPS – Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce.
Partnered with Capitol Hill Bikes, The Office of Tommy Wells, DDOT’s Capital Bikeshare and the Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA), Hill and Go Seek will put the riders to the test – creatively and physically. Starting at 5 pm, teams will be given a list of ten points of interest throughout Capitol Hill. From Barracks Row to RFK Stadium, Eastern Market to the H Street Corridor – it is up to the riders to choose the best route between stops.
Points will be awarded for: completion speed; checkpoints completed; tasks completed; as well as other point-earning categories like creativity and participation using correct safety gear. Winners will be determined by greatest number of overall points, and will be announced at an after party hosted by the H Street Country Club.
Pre-registration is highly recommended and available online at www.hillandgoseek.eventbrite.com or at Capitol Hill Bikes (cash or check only) located at 719 8th Street SE.
Proceeds from Hill and Go Seek will benefit Ready, Willing & Working a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that empowers men to break the cycles of homelessness, welfare dependency and criminal recidivism through a residential, paid-work rehabilitation program offering holistic programs and supportive services that allow individuals to achieve permanent self-sufficiency.
