Vote for Ready, Willing & Working!

Washington City Paper is compiling their annual list of “The Best of D.C.” and one of the categories is “Best Non-Profit.” We want YOU to vote for Ready, Willing & Working!

RWW empowers individuals  to break the cycles of homelessness, welfare dependency and criminal recidivism through a residential, paid-work rehabilitation program offering a holistic approach and supportive services that allow participants to achieve permanent self-sufficiency.

Click here to vote for RWW as Best Non-Profit in D.C.

Below is the video “Working It,” which was played at Magic & Miracles to honor Nancy and The Squires Group.

December 19, 2011
Media Contact: Patty Brosmer, 202-842-3333
pbrosmer@rwwdc.org

New Year Brings New Contract for Ready, Willing & Working in the Adams Morgan Partnership BID

Ready, Willing & Working (RWW), a 501c3 organization aimed at ending the cycles of homelessness, welfare dependency, and substance abuse in Washington, D.C., announces their new public space maintenance service contract with the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District (AMPBID) beginning on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2012. With the new contract, RWW will hire seven (7) formerly homeless and/or incarcerated men to perform street cleaning and landscaping services within the AMPBID boundaries, including the popular 18^th Street, NW business corridor.

Ready, Willing & Working 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.  Modeled after The Doe Fund’s hugely successful “Ready, Willing & Able” (RWA) program in New York, RWW provides opportunities to the hardest to serve homeless population — single, able-bodied adults, the majority of whom have histories of incarceration and substance addiction.   Over 67% of graduates from the RWA program remain employed, independently housed and drug-free.  RWW is seeing similar successes for the District of Columbia’s homeless and formerly incarcerated.

“We are excited about our upcoming relationship with RWW and look forward to cleaner streets, improved tree box maintenance and working with a program that provides supportive services to empower people to become all that they can be,” said Kristen Barden, Executive Director of the AMPBID.

Ready, Willing & Working President Patty Brosmer is also looking forward to working with the AMPBID. “We’re grateful that the AMPBID has selected RWW to provide cleaning and landscaping services for their organization, said Brosmer. “We are confident that our clean team members will provide a visible improvement in the area.”

This will be the fourth contract for the Ready, Willing & Working program in Washington, D.C.; other service areas include the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District, Barracks Row Main Street and North Capitol Main Street. Ready, Willing & Working has also submitted an application with the District’s Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) to provide cleaning and landscaping services within the business areas of Ward 1.

For more information about RWW, visit rwwdc.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         

November 28, 2011
Media Contact: Kelly Maslar, 202-842-3333
kmaslar@capitolhillbid.org

Experience the Magic of Opportunity and the Miracle of the Human Spirit at the 4^th Annual “Magic & Miracles,” an Evening Benefiting Ready, Willing & Working

Ready, Willing, and Working (RWW), a 501c3 organization aimed at ending the cycles of homelessness, welfare dependency, and substance abuse in Washington, D.C., will be hosting the 4^th Annual Magic and Miracles, on November 30 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Ritz-Carlton located at 1150 22^nd Street, NW in Washington, D.C. WAMU Talk Radio Host Kojo Nnamdi will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

Nancy Squires of The Squires Group will be honored at the event for her continued support and dedication to the mission of RWW. A silent auction will be held featuring items from numerous Capitol Hill businesses and The Ritz-Carlton, and Master Magician Aedryan Methyus will be on hand to amaze and amuse guests! Cocktails and a full dinner are included in the ticket price.

With support from the honorary host committee, which includes members of the United States Congress, The Mayor of the District of Columbia, and members of the DC Council, Magic & Miracles aims to raise money and awareness for the RWW program. Its goal is to expand the program to include all interested and eligible applicants.  Tickets are $150 per individual, $275 per couple and can be purchased online at http://magicandmiracles4.eventbrite.com.

All proceeds from the reception benefit Ready, Willing, and Working.

Ready, Willing & Working 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.  Modeled after The Doe Fund’s hugely successful “Ready, Willing & Able” (RWA) program in New York, RWW provides opportunities to the hardest to serve homeless population — single, able-bodied adults, the majority of whom have histories of incarceration and substance addiction.   Over 67% of graduates from the RWA program remain employed, independently housed and drug-free.  RWW is seeing similar successes for the District of Columbia’s homeless and formerly incarcerated.

“In the four years since we started Ready, Willing & Working, we’ve helped dozens of men become productive, taxpaying citizens, and fathers to their children, through paid work opportunities,” says Patty Brosmer, President of Ready, Willing and Working. “Most of our participants will never see a shelter or be incarcerated again.”

“This is great progress but so many more are seeking the same chance – we have literally hundreds of applicants that we cannot serve until we can expand our program.” Brosmer adds.

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You see them on the streets of DC everyday. Our “men in blue” were once homeless or incarcerated, and many have struggled with substance abuse. Today, they are thankful for so much: a warm bed, paid employment, food on the table, and renewed relationships with their children and family members.

This year, we asked the “men in blue” what they were thankful for, and here are some of their responses:

“I am so thankful that I am able to take care of my family and provide for them. I am thankful that I can teach them things that I learned from my job with Ready, Willing & Working.” – Lamont

“I am thankful for family and friends, also for having a job so that I can take care of myself another year. I am thankful for being in good health and to be able to do what I do everyday.” – Reginald

“I am thankful for my loving family and my health, also for all the support that I have in my life at this point. Also especially thankful to Ready, Willing & Working for making me a part of their team.” – Darnell

“I’m thankful for my job and the wonderful people at my job. I’m thankful for being able to provide for my daughter and myself.” – Damon

“I am thankful for staying focused at my job. Everyday it makes me a better person.” – Joseph

Most of all, the “men in blue” are thankful to the Washington, DC community for your support all year long – friendly neighbors who greet them with a smile each day, stop to chat, or thank them for keeping our streets clean, green and safe. They truly appreciate your kind words and encouragement.

On behalf of the Ready, Willing & Working and the “men in blue,” we would like to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!

The RWW team members will be off this Thursday, November 24, to spend Thanksgiving with their families. All services will resume on Friday morning.

Just two weeks to go until The Fourth Annual Magic & Miracles at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC.  Join us on Wednesday, November 30th, from 6:00-9:30pm as we honor Nancy Squires of The Squires Group for her ongoing support to the program.

WAMU Radio Host Kojo Nnamdi will be our Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

This year, we will be holding a silent auction at Magic & Miracles. Dozens of fabulous items have been donated by local businesses as well as the Ritz-Carlton, who has donated a luxurious weekend bed and breakfast stay. All proceeds from the auction will directly benefit RWW.

Check out our event page on Facebook for a complete listing of businesses donating to the silent auction. To purchase tickets, visit magicandmiracles4.eventbrite.com.

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.

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.