Profile of Father John Adams

Father John Adams President, SOME

SOME President Father John Adams has directed SOME for the past 29 years. Fr. John studied Philosophy and Theology and received his master's degree in Social Service ('70) at Catholic University of America. He was ordained March 29, 1969. His hometown is Erie, PA.

Fr. Adams early assignments included working at Angel Guardian Home in Chicago, IL (1971-1972) and as Clinical Director of Social Work, St. Vincent's Home for Adolescents, Davenport, IA (1972-1973).

Fr. John also worked for Catholic Charities of the Arlington Diocese and started Christ House in Alexandria, Virginia, which provides meals, shelter, and crisis intervention to the homeless and poor of Northern Virginia. Fr. John also worked at St. Martin's Day Center for the Elderly.

Fr. McKenna, SJ, founder of SOME, invited Fr. John to come to work in the Archdiocese of Washington in 1978 as the Director of SOME. Under his leadership, SOME grew from a soup kitchen that served 50 to 60 people each day with one employee and 2 volunteers to an organization that serves over 850 meals daily to the homeless and poor of the city. In addition to basic services such as meals, clothing and showers, SOME began offering comprehensive medical and dental care, and a continuum of services that address the root causes of poverty and homelessness: unemployment, substance abuse, mental illness, and the lack of affordable housing. SOME has a staff of 250 employees and several thousand volunteers.

Fr. John often says that "SOME serves the poor, but doesn't serve them poorly." This philosophy has attracted many dedicated staff and volunteers to SOME's work of restoring hope, dignity and respect to the poor and homeless in our nation's capital. SOME helps people transform their lives through its comprehensive social services, and ultimately enables them to regain their independence.

Fr. John has been recognized for the work of SOME several times: Washingtonian of the Year in 1986 by Washingtonian Magazine; Myrtle Wreath Award in 1988 from the Hadassah Jewish Women's organization at the Israeli Embassy; Outstanding Achievement Award from the Alumni Association of the Catholic University in 1989; the National Caring Award in 1992 from the Caring Institute; the Phi Alpha Service Award in 1993 from George Washington University; Distinguished Alumni Award from Catholic University's School of Social Service in 1994; was named St. Patrick Day Parade's Gael of the Year in 1995; Free Spirit Award from the Freedom Forum in 1998; an Olympic Torch Carrier as it passed through the District en route to the 2002 games in Salt Lake City; Community Service Award from the Business and Professional Women's League in 2002; and Paul Shnitzer Ethics Award from Temple Emmanuel in Kensington, MD in 2002.