Emily’s path to education began in the seventh grade as a volunteer tutor at Martha’s Table. She was paired with a student her age and grade to help with his homework. As they worked together, Emily soon discovered that he was unable to read. It was both shocking and confounding for the then 12-year-old. Those six months as a volunteer changed the way Emily looked at education, and she vowed to give back to her hometown.

After high school, Emily attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where she studied history and economics. It cemented her commitment to learning more about socioeconomic gaps and to eliminating educational inequity. A Phi Beta Kappa honors graduate, she had many career options in the private sector. Emily had a brief career in business and pursued an MBA and a Master’s degree in public policy, both at Harvard.

While in the Northeast, she was on the ground floor of the charter school movement. She worked for Victory Schools, a charter school management company in New York, as well as the Boston-based Academy of the Pacific Rim. These experiences crystallized for her that education is by far the most effective social intervention.

Unwavering in her pledge to return to her hometown of Washington, DC, and with financial support from the Foundation, Emily founded DC Prep in 2003 with a single school and a few grades. Today, the public charter school network (or CMO) has five campuses and serves more than 1,700 preschool through eighth grade students in Wards 5, 7 and 8 (traditionally Washington’s most under-resourced neighborhoods). The Foundation continues to support DC Prep to promote opportunities for students in Washington, DC.

DC Prep is bridging the educational divide in Washington by increasing the number of students from under-served communities with the academic preparation and personal character to succeed in competitive high schools, college and life. Throughout her journey as founder and now as a board member of DC Prep, Emily remains grateful for that formative opportunity as a Martha’s Table volunteer, for opening her eyes to the significant inequities that persist in the DC.

In 1997, Lynette was suffering from alcohol and drug addiction. When she lost her job, she knew she needed to change her life. But she also knew she couldn’t do it on her own. Lynette sought help at Samaritan Inns, a social services organization supported by the Foundation.

Lynette distinctly remembers the way she was treated during her first visit to Samaritan Inns. She was struck by how professional and welcoming the counselor was.  “She made me feel like I was important,” Lynette recollected. On August 1st, Lynette began her journey at Samaritan Inns.

Lynette’s first Christmas at Samaritan Inns was her first sober holiday in many years. Along with the rest of the residents, Lynette received a special Christmas present from the Clark family that included a gift card to a local department store. She knew exactly how she wanted to spend her gift card. Lynette bought a winter coat of her very own—a warm leather jacket.

Lynette successfully navigated through Samaritan Inns transition programs, and within a year she was able to secure her own housing and be reunited with her son.  At this time, she also started volunteering with Samaritan Inns and was soon offered a part-time position with the organization. Lynette was honored to be able to support Samaritan Inns and its clients, just as the staff and volunteers had supported her. As her life and resources stabilized, she was even able to donate back to Samaritan Inns the leather coat she bought her first Christmas there.

Today, Lynette is the Director of the Long-Term Recovery Program and has directed each of Samaritan Inns’ three programs during her time with the organization.  Lynette feels uniquely positioned to serve and advocate for this population because she has “the vision of a person who has walked and lived their experiences.”  This connection was reinforced recently when a woman who was early in her journey came to Lynette’s office. As Lynette looked up to greet her, she realized the woman was wearing her leather coat.