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Washington, DC—November 11, 2018—Central Union Mission welcomes all veterans to our Veteran’s Day commemoration at our men’s shelter (65 Massachusetts Ave., NW) on November 11 at 11:00 am. Join with homeless veterans, veteran volunteers, partner organizations, donors, staff and our neighbors as we gratefully acknowledge veterans’ contribution to our nation.
A free luncheon and program will include Keynote Speaker Rear Admiral Curt Kemp, USN (Ret.), currently managing chair of The C12 Group, as well as color guard presentation by Marine Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, prayer by Reverend Kevin Babbitt of Sanctuary at Kingdom Square and the national anthem performed by D.C. Washington, “Voice of the Washington Nationals” and Mission Board vice chair.
Our veteran program participants will be sharing their experience of homelessness, addiction, PTSD and other concerns this Veteran’s Day. We also welcome volunteers from Holland & Knight for a day of service.
“Veterans Day is an important date on our calendar,” explains Central Union Mission President & CEO Joseph Mettimano. “According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, statistically one in five of our male homeless guests has served in the military. We honor their service today in a world that doesn’t always show them respect.” The Mission offers vets the help they need to return to productive society.
Central Union Mission has a long history of 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, as well as helping veterans access the care they are entitled to through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. This Veterans Day, the Mission hopes to encourage the veterans who have fallen through the cracks of society to show we have not forgotten them.
Media is invited to attend, and veterans will be available for interviews. RSVP requested. Please contact Rev. Deborah Chambers, VP, Development & Partnerships, at 202-534-9965 or dchambers@missiondc.org for 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 almost 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 4000 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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