About Us
Central Union Mission is the oldest social service agency in the District of Columbia. It was founded in 1884 by the Reverend Latham Douglass, a young man filled with compassion for the thousands of homeless, neglected men who wandered Pennsylvania Avenue, many of whom were Civil War veterans.
Since 1884, the Mission has continuously operated an emergency shelter for homeless men and been a place for spiritual uplift and recovery. It has survived the Great Depression, two world wars, 24 presidential administrations, neighborhood transitions, and numerous relocations.
The Mission Today
Today, Central Union Mission is a faith-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with four locations throughout the Washington area. It operates an 18-month rehabilitation program for men with life-controlling issues, a free meals program, a clothing and furniture distribution center, and a 220-acre retreat center with a camp for underprivileged children and recreation facilities for the community.
The Mission is continually developing its programs to meet the changing needs of the community. Its current programs serve homeless men, underprivileged women, children, seniors, veterans and the growing Hispanic community.
One life at a time, the Mission works to help transform the area's toughest rehabilitation cases, including drug addicts, gang members, criminal offenders, and the chronically homeless into productive members of society. The Mission's programs have an extremely high success rate at helping individuals overcome addiction and
homelessness, and achieve independent living. Learn more about us on an eight-minute video, click here.
2012-2013 BROCHURE (pdf)
STATEMENT OF FAITH (pdf)
A Successful Track Record
In FY 2011-2012, through the generosity of our supporters, Central Union Mission was able to provide a wide range of comprehensive, life-changing services and goods to homeless, poor and hurting people in the Nation's Capital. We are grateful for your assistance and are pleased to share what your contributions accomplished in Fiscal Year 2012:
BECAUSE YOU GAVE
Residential Services
- 52,323 nights of clean bedding and safe shelter were provided for homeless men and those in recovery
- 75 men were continuously housed and received and individualized social service support, life skills training, rehabilitation counseling, professional and educational services, employment prep, and numerous additional services based on individualized needs
Nutritious Food
- 179,597 nourishing meals were served to men, women, families and children struggling with hunger and food security
- 4.9 million dollars worth of donated food items were redistributed through the Mission's emergency and supportive food programs, our network of partner agencies servicing low-income neighborhoods and those referred to us through local programs and community groups
Educational and Professional Services
- 10,672 life-skills sessions conducted in subjects such as: literacy and math competency, job readiness, GED prep, English as a Second Language and biblical knowledge
- 831 individuals received professional services such as physicals, eye exams, testing, treatment and a wide range of medical and legal support
- 6,866 counseling sessions were held on issues related to social work, rehabilitation, addiction recovery, mental health, and family intervention
Household and Commodity Support
- 1.5 million dollars worth of donated clothing, furniture, household items and other commodities were re-distributed to thousands of low-income families, individuals and children in need
Outreach to Children
- 420 children attended week-long summer camp at Camp Bennett
- 1,200 children received backpacks filled with age-appropriate school supplies through Operation Backpack
- 2,221 children received holiday presents and clothing through Operation Christmas Miracle
Follow Us
Photographs of Mission events can be viewed at our Picasa webpage.
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Serving Neighbors, Changing Lives - 8 Minute Version from Central Union Mission on Vimeo.
To view the full-length 28-minute video, click here.