Lifetime achievement honoree Mary Petersen award in hand with Catherine “Smitty” Smith, Caitlin Connolly, Tara Ruszkowski, and Rep. James Walkinshaw listed right to left (Image Courtesy Lamb Center Social Media)
Honoree Mary Petersen has been a cornerstone of The Lamb Center, playing a vital role in its evolution from a modest outreach initiative into a comprehensive support center for individuals experiencing homelessness.
The Lamb Center began in 1987 as a social outreach ministry of Truro Church, providing daytime support for those without stable housing. Petersen became involved early on, dedicating her time and energy to the center’s mission. Her commitment eventually led her to serve on the board of directors, where she helped guide the organization’s strategic growth and expansion.
Under her leadership and advocacy, The Lamb Center relocated to a larger, more accessible facility on Campbell Drive in 2016. This move allowed the center to broaden its services, offering not only meals and showers, but also medical and dental care, case management, Bible studies, and workforce development programs. Petersen was instrumental in securing community support and approvals necessary for this transformation.
On October 9, 2025, Petersen’s decades of service were formally recognized when she received the inaugural Honorable Gerry Connolly Community Impact Award at The Lamb Center’s annual Hope and a Future Banquet. The event hosted over 500 guests and raised $273,000 to support the Lamb Center.
Author
Tania Hossain is the editor, publisher, and co-owner of The Independent News Press, a consortium of local print and online newspapers in Virginia. She focuses on writing about community issues and advocates for local newspapers, both print and online, especially in the age of Ai from selfie filters to betting on military strikes. A Merrifield resident, she is a keen backyard gardener, loves forest bathing and a curious biohacker, believing that proactive health keeps one out of the costly illness industry. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey's O Magazine launch, she feels fortunate to be running this newspaper.
