Please consider making a donation to Miriam’s Kitchen by clicking on the Donate Now button below. Miriam's Kitchen greatly appreciates your support!  United Way Campaign #8130 CFC #27085 Celebrate Miriam's Kitchen's 25 Years of Service at our 7th Annual 100 Bowls of Compassion Thursday, May 8, 2008 6:00 - 9:30p.m. at the National Building Museum Click here to learn more about this event The Catalogue for Philanthropy Honors Miriam's This year, Miriam's Kitchen is honored to be selected as "one of the best small charities in the Greater Washington region," according to the Catalogue for Philanthropy.  Click here to learn more about the Catalogue for Philanthropy and to view our profile. Miriam’s Kitchen offers a hot, nutritious breakfast every weekday morning to individuals who are homeless in Washington, DC. In addition to breakfast, guests are invited to receive a wide range of social services, including mental health, medical, and substance abuse services, assistance finding adequate shelter and permanent housing, connection to employment, and help meeting other immediate needs such as clothing, toiletries, transportation, and haircuts. By creating an atmosphere of hospitality where guests can choose how they receive support, Miriam’s Kitchen is able to build relationships with many vulnerable individuals who have difficulty connecting with services due to complex barriers such as mental illness or substance abuse. Miriam’s Kitchen also seeks to build a sustaining community for our guests that draws on their creative gifts, through daily groups of art and creative writing. Since October 1983, Miriam’s Kitchen has served breakfast every weekday morning, including holidays and despite inclement weather.  In 2007, Miriam’s served 52,835 meals to our guests. For breakfast we strive to offer homemade meals that are great tasting, nutritious, and well balanced. To that end, we utilize fresh vegetables and fruit (often local and organic), whole grains, and an array of ingredients that are not over-processed, canned, or frozen. Because of generous donations we are able to set our standards high for the guests we serve. Miriam’s is fortunate to have over 1,200 volunteers annually, including 45 regular recurring and 28 visiting volunteer groups from faith-based organizations, corporations, nonprofit organizations, high schools, universities, and government agencies. The Case Management Program served 1,839 clients in 2007, a 17 percent increase in the number of clients accessing our case management, health, and mental health services since 2006. The Case Management Program is staffed by a LICSW-level Deputy Director, a MSW-level Senior Case Manager, a House/Case Manager, two Case Managers, a graduate-level student Art Therapy Intern in partnership with The George Washington University, and a volunteer Psychiatrist. Miriam's partners with several area social services organizations to enhance our array of services.  For example, guests can meet with a lawyer, doctor, psychiatrist, and/or housing representative during breakfast. We helped 903 obtain identification and we provided tokens to individuals for documented job, legal or medical appointments 931 times.      Case Managers helped 101 people find transitional or permanent housing. Since 2003, Arnold’s Place has housed four formerly homeless male guests in a stable living environment for up to 24 months. Since its inception, 25 individuals have lived at Arnold’s Place working to transition into permanent housing. A resident House Manager oversees house maintenance, ensures that residents’ adhere to their residency contract, and coordinates weekly house meetings and other activities. Every day after breakfast, Miriam’s Kitchen runs therapeutic groups including visual art, poetry, geography, creative writing, and literary discussion groups. Fourteen groups meet each week. In 2007, the Miriam’s Poets held seven public readings at area middle schools, high schools, and universities.  The Miriam’s Artists exhibited at local art galleries, restaurants, cafes, and churches.

2401 Virginia Avenue NW  Washington, DC 20037 Tel:  (202) 452-8926 Fax:  (202) 835-8376 Email:  info@miriamskitchen.org