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Our Congregation-Based Shelter Project provides emergency shelter for 10 families in the District every night of the year.
The reality...
There is a crisis with families caught in homelessness. A DC Agenda Statistical Study on the demographics of poverty in the District based on the 2000 census shows the neighborhood cluster with the highest density of poverty is Cluster 27 in Ward 6 with 45% of seniors and 67% of children living well below the federal poverty levels. The Congregation Based Shelter Project is an emergency shelter program that serves families who are homeless. The project also helps build a support network for families, which includes intensive case management services, with the goal to help them become self sufficient.
The program...
In 1996, CHGM launched a rotating family shelter program with support from the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness and local member congregations. CHGM recruits, coordinates and supports congregations in offering overnight hospitality to homeless families and provides families in shelter with comprehensive case management services. Working with up to ten families at a time, CHGM provides overnight shelter, a daytime hospitality center, case management services, and life skills classes. Congregations become part of the network of support for the families not only by hosting families in their space, but also by offering friendship and a listening ear, taking families on outings, mentoring an adult, and donating furniture, shelter supplies, and household goods.
The opportunity ...
The Congregation Based Shelter Project offers faith communities the opportunity to expand and enhance their outreach ministries. CHGM staff enter into a partnership with the congregation to coordinate their effort from beginning to end. According to the congregation's accommodations and capacity, the outreach can take a couple of directions; they may host one to two families for four weeks, providing space, overnight monitoring and meals or they may provide volunteers for overnight monitoring and meal preparation for other sites.
The resources ...
CHGM provides each sheltering congregation with:
- Pre-screened families
- A shelter handbook and schedule
- Case management services for families
- Training and support for volunteers
- Provision of supplies for sheltering - beds, linens, toiletries
- Coordination resources for the shelter
- On-call support and final evaluation of the project
Participating Congregations are asked to:
- Provide overnight shelter (7 pm-7am) at the worship site or in congregation-owned property
- Provide space with access to a kitchen and a bathroom
- Generate volunteers among the worship community
- Prepare simple nourishing dinners and breakfasts
- Offer fellowship and community support to the family
A typical night ...
6:30 pm Volunteers arrive
7:00 pm Families arrive
7:30 pm Dinner shared/cleanup
8:00 pm Family relaxes, children play or complete homework, volunteers interact with families
10:00 pm Lights out
6:00 am Volunteers prepare breakfast, families wake up and dress
6:30 am Breakfast is served
7:00 am Families depart
We are always looking for new congregations to join us this outstanding program. Encourage your congregation to offer a place of refuge for homeless families. To request more information or to become a part of this network of support, please contact us at 202-544-0631 or info@chgm.net.
Day Hospitality Center
1338 G Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Telephone: 202.544.3150
Fax: 202.544.5410
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This is a year when every one of us has to ask "What can I do in response to the hurt I see all around me?" We're hoping that you will consider answering that question by donating to help one of Washington's most essential human needs organizations.
Every day you walk by the homeless on your way to and from the office. Sitting in traffic, you see the weathered faces of people holding signs asking for help. Or, maybe you pick up the Metro section of the Washington Post and read about more families that are turning to organizations like the Capitol Hill Group Ministry for help. Especially in these times, too many working families are just one unfortunate event away from losing the roof over their heads.
Please consider donating today!
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CHGM depends on the contributions of time, talent, & treasure from people like you.
For more information, upcoming volunteer opportunities, or to make a tax-deductible donation,
please contact our administrative office at 202-544-3150 or via email at office@chgm.net
CHGM, 1338 G St, SE, Washington, DC 20003
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