Jeff Tooles, February 2009

Jeff Tooles came to the Mission from Annapolis, MD, in 1991. He said, “I woke up in a crack house in the middle of the night and realized that I was killing myself.” At 2:00 am, he started walking west in the rain. When he reached DC, he asked a man on the street where he could get some food and was directed to Central Union Mission on 14th and R Streets.

After talking to Chaplain Ted Ross, Jeff decided that joining the STP would give him the stability he needed. Even after graduating in 1992, moving out on his own, and working at a nursing home, Jeff still volunteered to cook for the Mission guests twice a week. The executive director knew a good man when he saw Jeff and offered him the food service manager job, where he’s been serving God ever since.