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Washington, DC—December 24, 2020—Christmas can be lonely when you’re homeless, and the resulting depression can cause people experiencing poverty to make desperate choices. In the Mission’s shelter, staff are monitoring men’s mental health to help keep them on track for success.
“It is important for people to maintain their routines. The Workforce Development & Education (WDE) department integrates virtual learning opportunities to include online learning and mentoring to encourage the men to remain focused on their long term educational and employment goals,” commented WDE Senior Director Dr. Cheryl Cook Posley. “This has proven beneficial and is a healthy, productive distraction to keep them engaged and moving towards self-sufficiency.”
Isolated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mission will miss our traditional interaction with Christmas Day visitors and volunteers. Our shelter guests—who have committed to our strict coronavirus protocols—remain healthy and in good spirits and are looking forward to a festive Christmas dinner.
According to Mission President & CEO Joe Mettimano, “Christmas is a pivotal time for those who are lonely and estranged from their families; they’re cold, hungry and sad. Our Christmas dinner offers small comforts for an especially difficult day, and our compassion reminds people experiencing homelessness that we care about them. Together we can help encourage and equip people to turn their lives around—so maybe their next Christmas will be brighter.”
To coordinate socially distanced interviews with shelter guests affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mission President & CEO Joseph Mettimano or Workforce Development & Education Senior Director Dr. Cheryl Cook Posley, please contact Rev. Deborah Chambers at 202-534-9965 or dchambers@missiondc.org.
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 holistic, Christ-centered transformation and workforce development programs 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 a three-star charity, 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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