What’s Next?

Making Headway Against Homelessness

Washington, DC—In the Point in Time 2017 Homelessness Report by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments released yesterday, Central Union Mission is pleased to note that the number of homeless people counted on January 25, 2017, is lower by 11 percent than in 2016. 7,473 homeless people were on DC’s streets that night, as compared to 8,350 in 2016. That’s good news for 877 people; however, there’s more work to do.

According to Central Union Mission Executive Director David Treadwell, “We’re very glad to see the trend away from homelessness in our city, but we can’t forget the 7,500 who are still without refuge. Central Union Mission provides safe shelter for 170 men every night, but it’s more than blankets and pillows. It can become the training wheels for a new life.”

Central Union Mission believes that employment is the best way for homeless people to grasp a successful future. Central Union Mission’s Ready2Succeed programs help people get decent jobs to pay for housing. According to Central Union Mission Executive Director David Treadwell, “Once someone finds affordable housing, how can they afford to stay in it? Parents need to be equipped for decent jobs so they can take care of their children. That is our focus in the homelessness debate.”

Through the Mission’s Ready2Succeed, participants receive training and hands-on experience in fields like maintenance, landscaping, cooking and running a business like a recycling center or the Mission Muffins bakery. This training not only provides job skills but also offers good references, solid resumes and professional responsibility that is hard to come by for the formerly homeless, addicted or incarcerated. At the end of the training period, the participants are mentored as they start permanent employment.

As well, the Mission helps reconcile relationships by equipping lost fathers to return to caring for their families. Men like Shawn Chinn, Kennedy Molder, James Starkes, Jeff Tooles and Darrell Fiddermon have used the tools the Mission provided to find employment and wholeness for their families. “While low-cost housing will protect needy individuals and families for a time, a solid and successful jobs program like Ready2Succeed will help people leave behind the cycle of poverty ,” explained Treadwell.

Central Union Mission is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit with its homeless shelter located at 65 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20001, missiondc.org. In addition to its emergency shelter program, the Mission operates rehabilitative and job training programs for men, a clothing and furniture distribution center, a retreat and recreation center with a camp for underprivileged children and a ministry to families and senior citizens.

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 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.

For Immediate Release
May 25, 2017

Contact: Deborah Chambers
Mission Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Community Outreach
Cell: 202-534-9965
dchambers@missiondc.org