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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joshua Kinney
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: 484-557-1601
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Central Union Mission Expands to
Northern Virginia; Aims to Help Reduce
Poverty and Homelessness in the Region
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Washington, DC — April 15, 2024 — Central Union Mission, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of low-income families and the homeless, announces an ambitious expansion into Northern Virginia with its mission:NOVA Initiative. With a rich history of over 140 years in the nation’s capital, the Mission is extending its reach to establish a permanent ministry presence in Northern Virginia, addressing the pressing needs of families and individuals from low-income households, as well as homeless individuals in the region.
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In a video message provided by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin in connection with the Mission’s announcement, he stated “Poverty and homelessness are among the most important issues we face here in the Commonwealth and we’re so glad to have you as our partner… We look forward to seeing how [Central Union Mission’s] presence strengthens the spirit of Virginia. Congratulations on your great work and thank you for your service and let me be the first to say ‘welcome to Virginia,’ and may God bless you.”
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The mission:NOVA facility being established in south Arlington aims to provide accessible and comprehensive services tailored to the specific needs of the community. Key drivers include locating services in underserved areas, minimizing duplication of services, maximizing partnerships with other providers, and offering a full suite of critically-needed help under one roof. Planned services include food, clothing, addiction support groups, after-school programs for children, Christian discipleship and fellowship, computer access, education and computer training, ESL classes, job training and placement, legal aid, parenting classes, and access to social workers.
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“Building on our success and learnings from over 140 years of serving the poor and homeless in DC, we will leverage our expertise and resources to help those in need in Northern Virginia. We are intentional in partnering with other organizations so that we can have a bigger collective impact. This is among the most important things we have undertaken since our founding.” said Mission President & CEO, Joe Mettimano. “This great work is in addition to the ongoing work we do in the District, which will continue to expand, as well.”
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The mission:NOVA facility will adopt a model of a single, accessible facility housing a wide range of assistance. The facility will be located at the site of Greenbrier Baptist Church in South Arlington, encompassing areas such as S. Carlyn Springs Road, Columbia Pike, and Bailey’s Crossroads. The facility is slated to launch by August 2024 marking a significant milestone in Central Union Mission’s expansion efforts and its commitment to serving the needs of the vulnerable in the DMV.
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About Central Union Mission:
Central Union Mission is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the oldest private social service agency in Washington, DC. Beyond its emergency shelter, which provides over 60,000 bed-nights annually, the Mission operates holistic, Christ-centered transformation and workforce development programs for men, offers benefits for veterans, assists individuals in overcoming addictions, operates a food and clothing distribution center serving over 5,000 people each month, runs a camp for underprivileged children, and provides Christian ministry to families and senior citizens. Central Union Mission holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, has been awarded a Platinum Seal by Candid for financial transparency, and has been recognized with a Top-Rated award by GreatNonProfits.
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