Southeast Ministry

3111 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue S.E., Washington, DC 20032      Phone: 202-562-2636 Fax: 202-562-5121
Email: SEMinDC@aol.com

Southeast Ministry (SEM) provides a ministry of hope for men and women in a safe and respectful environment through education, job readiness training and other programs that build self-esteem, transform lives and help those involved realize their God given abilities.

Above: 15 Anacostia Mentoring Network (AMEN) Job Readiness graduates were recognized for successfully completing the AMEN Job Readiness Program March 20, 2009.

AMEN Job Readiness

AMEN’s goal is to reach African American men and women primarily in Wards 6, 7 and 8 who are unemployed, underemployed, undereducated, or ex-offenders and prepare them for employment. The program seeks to improve self-perception and self-esteem by developing both life skills and vocational skills, while preparing clients for employment. Southeast Ministry's AMEN’s reputation has led to a strong network of employers that pay $12 per hour or more.

Accomplishments: 312 persons were advised, 171 attended class, 128 graduated; 80% of employable persons are employed, or in training or education.

GED Program

Since 1994, it has been the goal of Southeast Ministry's GED program to prepare students to take the official GED test given at UDC. This preparation is carried out in a classroom setting with private tutoring available. Daily classes are held from September through June in eight week sessions. All five test subjects—science, social studies, writing, math and interpretive arts—are taught.

Accomplishments: 193 persons were assessed, 137 enrolled, 80 students attended the 3 week class, 27 passed the official GED test (full or partial).

Books for a Brighter Future

This literacy and literature program offers a reading experience to youth grades 3-5 living in Ward 8. It emphasizes African American heroes and includes reading out loud, drama, story telling, puppets, and activities. The goal for each child is to make reading a fun experience and to take home at least one new book and one gently used, age and reading-level appropriate book. During the school year, the Books for a Brighter Future program is offered Monday through Thursday at two locations, serving an average of 10-20 students a day.  Check back for details of the 2010 summer program.

Recognition for Southeast Ministry

• Recognized by the Far Southeast Strengthening Families Coalition for excellence and innovation, April 2009
• Recognized by Court Services and Offender Supervisor Agency (CSOSA) with a Commitment to Excellence Award for
  “outstanding job readiness program and employment assistance”
• AMEN and one of SEM’s instructors featured on the front page of the Washington Post (“Back from Behind Bars”, 9/2/07)
• Selected for inclusion in the 2007 Catalogue for Philanthropy

Supporting Southeast Ministry

• Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) #95794
• United Way of the National Capital Area: #8740
• Catalogue for Philanthropy:
  http://www.catalogueforphilanthropy-dc.org/2007/
  southeast_ministry_71876.htm
  "One of the best small charities in the Washington DC Region"
• Tax-deductible donation directly to Southeast Ministry

2009/2010 Schedule of Classes

The Ex-Offender Support Group meets weekly.
Please contact Mr. Chester Hart for more information.