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Washington, DC—November 11, 2020—Central Union Mission honors all veterans who are hungry and homeless this Veterans Day.
While in-person celebrations will not be possible this year, the Mission serves veterans every single day by providing emergency groceries, shelter and rehabilitation support.
We gratefully acknowledge veterans’ contribution to our nation and stand by the adage “no man left behind,” as we honor the dignity of each person we help, ensure that their basic needs are met and support them in their journey to rebuild their lives.
“Veterans Day highlights the dire circumstances that some men and women who served our country are still facing,” said Central Union Mission President & CEO Joseph Mettimano. “According to the Housing and Urban Development Point-in-Time Count of Homelessness, there are still 37,085 veterans who are experiencing homelessness in America.”
The Mission’s whole-person approach works to end homelessness one life at a time.
Stephen Hall is just one example. He has always stood by the values he learned in the Marines: “to abide by an uncompromising code of integrity; to respect human dignity; and to have respect and concern for each other.” But, after numerous personal challenges, he came to the Mission seeking help applying that code to himself. After 18 months of intensive programs, classes, addiction recovery, workforce development and a restoration of his dignity and faith, Stephen is successfully rebuilding his life—and his relationships with his three daughters whom he reared as a single father.
Today, Stephen lives in his own place. He is employed at the Mission as the front desk supervisor where his professionalism, leadership abilities and work ethic shaped by the military make him an excellent role model to others who are reaching out for help.
Central Union Mission has a long history serving United States veterans. In fact, the Mission first opened its doors in 1884 to help Civil War veterans left broken and homeless in our nation’s capital. Providing food and shelter continued throughout World War I and the Great Depression, and our programs developed even further at the end of World War II as soldiers returned home from overseas.
Later wars brought new concerns for veterans like addictions and PTSD. Today Central Union Mission provides counseling and employment training and helps veterans access the care they are entitled to through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. This Veterans Day, the Mission seeks to encourage the veterans who have fallen through the cracks of society to show we have not forgotten them.
The Mission could not deliver on its promise to veterans without the support of the community. Dedicated donors support this work, in particular the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, Safeway Foundation, the Disabled Veterans National Foundation, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation, Home Depot Foundation and Team Depot, plus hundreds of individual donors.
Veteran Stephen Hall and Mission President & CEO Joe Mettimano are available for interviews at Central Union Mission (65 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001) outdoors and maintaining social distance.
Please contact Rev. Deborah Chambers, VP, Development & Partnerships, at 202-534-9965 or dchambers@missiondc.org for any further information.
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. In addition to its emergency shelter, which provides more than 60,000 bed-nights each year, the Mission operates a holistic, Christ-centered transformation and workforce development program for men, provides benefits for veterans, helps people overcome addictions, operates a food and clothing distribution center which provides food for over 4,000 people each month, runs a camp for underprivileged children, and offers a ministry to families and senior citizens. Charity Navigator has rated Central Union Mission, GuideStar awarded Central Union Mission a Gold Seal for our financial transparency and GreatNonProfits has given Central Union Mission a Top-Rated award.
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