31 US Cities Cede Homelessness Record to DC
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Deborah Chambers |
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31 US Cities Cede Homelessness Record to DC **** Washington, DC – January 6, 2017—In its “Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness” released in December, As the national capital, Washington has long attracted those in search of a better life. DC’s “serve all comers” policy also attracts those in need from less caring and less prosperous regions of the country. DC is a “light on the hill” that can’t be hidden. In fact, Central Union Mission’s work began in 1884 serving homeless men, many of them Civil War veterans, often inebriated, who came to the Capital for help. Recent media focus has been on the lack of affordable housing, which is indeed a serious problem, but the Mayors’ report actually cites low wages as the biggest cause of urban hunger. That’s why job training and employment are central to the Mission’s efforts. Like many of our fellow nonprofits, we discovered that the final step in restoring a man or woman to full, successful participation in society is a decent job. At Central Union Mission we have a record of over 100 years of rehabilitation through faith. The model still works. However, we have learned that a wonderfully cleaned up man who is unemployed is still most likely homeless. Our growing work programs need to be just as productive as our spiritual programs. At the Mission we challenge those who are able to enter our variety of work-related recovery programs. After their initial 30 days, we limit the time guests can enjoy our state-of-the-art shelter. But for those who are eager to work, the Mission guarantees a job or specialized training upon completion of our premier program. If in working together the Mission can’t find a graduate a job, it will hire him or her. Our Ready2Succeed programs offer homeless people training, experience and pay for a variety of skill-sets: baking, recycling, street maintenance and cooking. Not only do participants learn specific tasks, but they also learn soft skills like anger management, taking responsibility and timeliness, which generalize to any type of employment. In our nation’s capital we should all promote training, hiring, and encouraging our people to work. We continue to need focused efforts from our government, nonprofits, places of worship and businesses to all pull together to lower this number drastically. To succeed we must open our jobs to those who have been in prison or have recovered from addiction. We must continue to train our workforce if we are to reduce our numbers and compete — even with our own suburbs — for jobs. It can be done, but our efforts must increase. There is a small bit of good news: The U.S. Mayors’ report acknowledges that to its credit the District provides shelter for the highest percentage of its homeless people of any major city. Besides the city government’s commitment to getting individuals and families off the street, Washington, DC, area residents also have big hearts. Central Union Mission is proud to be privately funded by caring neighbors in DC, MD and VA. In 2017, we must harness this compassion and civic commitment to create life-sustaining jobs for all our communities. –by David Treadwell David O. Treadwell is executive director for Central Union Mission, which provides a homeless shelter for men as well as food, services and programs for women, families, children and seniors. About Central Union Mission Charity Navigator awarded Central Union Mission four out of a possible four stars, which indicates that Central Union Mission adheres to good governance and other best ### |
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practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. Charity Navigator is America’s premier independent charity evaluator.