Mission Update: Central Union Mission
Since the start of the pandemic, the Mission is caring for homeless guests by providing the following:
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Sheltering in Place to minimize interaction among those in the Mission and those outside the shelter
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Respiratory masks to keep guests safe and minimize the chance of the spread of the disease
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Three hot meals per day to in-house guests and sandwiches to-go for up to 100 people each day who come searching for food
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A sanitized environment—all trafficked areas are sanitized multiple times per day
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Clean bedding and towels nightly
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Sun and exercise—time outside on the Mission property to get some fresh air and exercise
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Indoor entertainment with ping pong, air hockey, exercise equipment, special guest webinars, movies and more
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Counseling and social services to help people cope with the challenge of the situation
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Group and one-on-one mentoring to support recovery and educational development—provided virtually and, when possible, in-person
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Educational classes for personal development—both online and in-person—from internet use and MS Office skills to tax filing, financial literacy, and census completion
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Workforce Development classes in job preparation, resume creation, cover letter writing and interview skills
As we open up more and more, we will continue to take extraordinary precautions to prevent the virus from entering the shelter. To manage the risk, we have dedicated a section of the shelter as a quarantine zone — where every two weeks, five men in need of shelter can isolate from the rest of the shelter community to ensure that they are healthy. Every two weeks, we are welcoming a new set of people.
Emergency Groceries for Those in Need
COVID-19 is impacting the community we serve in devastating ways. Three times the number of people is seeking emergency groceries from the Mission today than before the crisis.
The significant increase in demand is primarily from the Hispanic and African American communities. Those that turn to the Mission in these times do not have a safety net to fall back on when they are out of work.
These communities are also particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. While many are now out of work, the African American and Hispanic communities are also disproportionally employed in what are now considered essential jobs and their exposure to the disease is notably high.
To meet the significant increase in the number of emergency referrals for food, the Mission has expanded its emergency food distribution to 5,750 people every month. To do this, the Mission is operating two refrigerator trucks that daily collect food from grocery stores, restaurants, and businesses; safely storing perishables and dried goods; packaging groceries; maintaining a 20,000-square-foot warehouse; and employing the staff that is keeping the operation going throughout this crisis.
To keep clients and staff safe, all food is prepared and packed into grocery carts in advance and distributed outdoors. Staff wear masks and gloves whenever they engage with the public. And we are also providing personal protective equipment and sanitizing products to clients so they can best protect themselves.
Closed to Volunteers
Before the pandemic, volunteers dedicated 7,153 hours of service over the year—that’s equivalent to 178 weeks of labor. Now, for their own safety and that of our homeless guests, we have no in-house volunteer support. Volunteers usually help prepare meals, serve food, mentor homeless guests, teach classes, pack groceries, lead prayers and clean dormitories. Without them, some of the non-essential services had to be suspended leaving the remaining staff stretched to maintain basic services. Adapting to new reality of the pandemic, the Mission has identified many needs that can be fulfilled by remote volunteers.
A Crisis of Funding
The economic forecast for many in our region is dire. Unemployment is at an all-time high. Local businesses are faltering. As the pandemic continues, the Mission is bracing for an expected spike in homelessness among individuals and families in the DC metropolitan area. To meet this challenge, the Mission needs to shore up its financial health so that it can deepen and expand its services for our most vulnerable neighbors. With your help, we will not only meet the immediate need, but together we will overcome the dual challenges of poverty and disease.
