History

Since 1983 Sarah's Circle has worked to create a model for service enriched housing. Sarah's Circle was founded and separately incorporated by members of the ecumenical, Washington-based Church of the Savior to provide safe, affordable housing for low-income elderly residents.

Its founder, Elizabeth O'Connor, had a vibrant vision to provide the elderly poor with safe and affordable housing so that they could use their resources to do more than barely survive.

Early supporters included Senators Robert and Elizabeth Dole, James Rouse and Arthur Fleming, former secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

In 1984 Sarah's Circle entered into a unique partnership with Jubilee Housing, another nonprofit organization, which bought a run-down 1917 apartment house for the project. While sharing the financial responsibility for maintenance and repairs to the building, the two organizations worked together to create a model community that combined affordable housing with programs and services. In 1990 Sarah's Circle purchased the building from Jubilee Housing.

Sarah's Circle has raised more than $2 million to purchase and rehabilitate the building so that it is handicapped-accessible and senior-friendly.

We are in the process of looking to acquire another building to expand our programs and services in order to reach more economically-disadvantaged seniors.

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