Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington

Happy Principal Appreciation Day!

Today we’re celebrating Maleeca Bryant, principal of the Conway Education Center, who knows that great schools are built on strong systems and meaningful relationships. With nearly two decades in education, she creates spaces where students feel supported, challenged, and empowered to grow.

Maleeca also brings warmth and connection to her work, helping teams feel both supported and accountable. She believes learning should be engaging, meaningful, and even joyful.

Thank you, Principal Bryant, for all that you do! 🍎

April is Second Chance Month—a time to recognize the challenges individuals face after incarceration and the power of community support in creating pathways forward.

All month long, our team has been making meaningful connections by attending a Reentry Simulation with the Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizens Affairs and participating in local resource fairs to better support our clients and community.

We wrapped up the month with a spring-cleaning session at Mulumba House, joined by three seminarians from St. John Paul II Seminary. Together, they experienced the impact of our work and the Welcome Home Reentry Program. The day concluded with a powerful roundtable, where clients shared their stories and reflected on the importance of second chances and community.

We extend our sincere thanks to a group of 10 volunteers from the Community Engagement Exchange Program, along with a student from Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, who assisted during our Child Development Center’s Open House.

We’re excited to continue building this new partnership with the Community Engagement Exchange Program, a professional exchange initiative established in 2020 and funded by the U.S. Department of State for individuals ages 21–28. Through this collaboration, we look forward to connecting these talented volunteers with meaningful future service opportunities in support of our programs.

Our SHARE Food Network offers nutritious and affordable groceries every month to anyone in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

This May, we are offering a grocery package for $30, which includes 5 pounds of chicken leg quarters, 1 pound of tilapia, 1 pound of ground chicken, 1 pound of beef portions, and 8 to 12 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables.

We are also offering various specialty boxes, including a Crab Boil box with blue crab, shrimp, and corn on the cob for $36.
Orders will be received beginning Monday, May 4. Order distribution will be on May 15-16.

To place an order, contact a SHARE host site. Search for a host site near you by zip code: https://bit.ly/3tom2nq

For more information about SHARE, host sites, and ordering, visit https://bit.ly/3sJ0AcS or call 301-864-3115.

Yesterday, our Volunteer Engagement Office was proud to participate in the 1st Xaverian Service Fair hosted by Our Lady of Good Counsel High School.

Alongside 25 incredible service organizations and nonprofits, it was a great opportunity to connect with approximately 650 students exploring meaningful ways to serve this summer and during the upcoming school year.

We’re grateful for the chance to share our mission and highlight opportunities for students to put their faith into action through service. We look forward to welcoming many of these young leaders into our volunteer community!

How can I ease your burden?

That question was at the heart of our 2026 Gala, where more than 1,000 supporters united around a shared mission to serve those in need. The challenges facing our community are real and so is our commitment to answering the call.

Read the full story: https://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/rooted-in-hope-united-in-mission-a-call-to-answer/

Tonight, we are proud to present the first-ever A. James & Alice B. Clark Service Impact Award to Sister Mary Jean Doyle.

Eight years ago, Sister Mary Jean answered the call to help the most vulnerable and she never looked back. Believing in the power of wraparound services, she has helped countless individuals through compassion, grace, and an unwavering belief of helping others.

Even more inspiring, thanks to the Clark Foundation’s generosity, she will direct $10,000 to a Catholic Charities DC program of her choice.

Congratulations, Sister Mary Jean, for continuing to make a profound difference in your community!

Learn more about Sister Mary Jean’s work: https://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/restoring-dignity-one-case-managers-mission-to-help-trafficking-survivors-heal/

We extend our sincere gratitude to His Eminence, Robert Cardinal McElroy, for his thoughtful words and blessing.

Catholic Archdiocese of Washington

“Rooted in Hope is a declaration that we believe in and are committed to the value and potential of every person we serve, and that we are doing the daily, essential work to invest in the brighter future they deserve.

Your support tonight represents a direct investment in human potential, in this community, in our neighbors – our roots.

So, thank you for being here, for always showing up, and thank you for uniting together in our mission to respond to the moment.” – Jim Malloy, President and CEO

"Geoff and I have had the greatest pleasure working alongside the Lemek’s and Mitchell’s as co-chairs for this year’s Catholic Charities Gala.

Thank you for joining us, for celebrating with us, and most importantly for supporting the mission of Catholic Charities.”
– Lulu Gonella, Gala co-chair

“For 97 years, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington has been answering that question with compassion and courage. Last year, facing immense economic challenges, we served more than 140,000 people. This year, federal and state funding remains under pressure, while the demand for food, housing, and medical care continues to rise. But the hope that sustains our work is alive in this room tonight. We face this moment with confidence because of your commitment and generosity."

– Dave DiLuigi, chair of the Catholic Charities Board of Directors