For the past two weeks, we had a volunteer make sandwiches for us. Every day, she would come in at 2pm, pass out sandwiches, and stay for an hour to chat with our members.

Our members are sad to hear that her busy schedule won’t allow her to come in anymore with any regularity. They appreciated her sandwiches and her time so much that our members got together on their own and made her a card.

They came into the office asking for markers or colored pencils, but all we had were a few highlighters and permanent markers. Using these few supplies, they took turns outlining and coloring, using the blue and yellow highlighters to color in green lettuce. The artists walked around and asked everyone to sign it. It was such an awesome sight.

We have some great members here. They appreciate all of our sandwich donors, but especially love those who take the time to personally hand them out and hang out for a few minutes. If you have some time, drop by and say hello!

During today’s house meeting, a guest brought up Mayor Vincent Gray’s proposed $7 million cut to homeless services funding. With this cut, shelters are at great risk and may close. Those that do stay open may have half their beds cut for men and women. Services, including food, transportation, and outreach will be cut.

There is a rally this Thursday, May 10, at 9am to protest this budget cut. The march will start from the CCNV Shelter: 2nd & D St NW, DC.

If you have time, please rally to help keep shelters open and services provided.

Details can be found here.

We have a new craft auction going on, and there’s less than a week to bring home this adorable teddy bear!

This adorable teddy bear is sitting in our center, patiently waiting for someone to take him home and love him beary much. GMC’s temporary mascot stands a proud 18″ from the top of his head to the tips of his toes.

He sports a purple, bue, and green sweater vest and scarf, which are removable during the hot summer months. His button eyes and shy smile invite people to give his dark brown hands and feet a gentle squeeze.

Teddy wants a home by May 13 at 5pm, when the auction ends. Be quick and bid now!

The winning bid goes directly to Sandra, the artist, minus 10% which is put into a fund for more materials. We will accept payment via PayPal or check, and Teddy can either be shipped or picked up from our center.

While many college students are soaking up the sun on beaches everywhere, some students are spending spring break doing community service. This week, a group of students from Loyola University visited us not once, not twice, but THREE times! One day they spent time hanging out with our guests in our center. Another day they did street outreach with Roy, and on Thursday night, they prepared a delicious spaghetti dinner for our winter shelter.

And then they wrote us a thank you letter. It is us who should be thanking them for all of their help. So thank you, students from Loyola University! We hope you had fun working with us.

Meet the Member: Pierre

Please say hello to Pierre, the first guest in our new Meet the Member series! We will be periodically highlighting members who have been active and involved in our center, and Pierre is one of our most engaged members. He is always quick to offer words of encouragement or to lighten the mood with a joke, and I don’t think he’s ever missed a House Meeting. So, without further ado, allow me to present Pierre!

Pierre, tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a 50 year old African American male. I grew up in the Washington, D.C. area. I am the only child; my father retired from Walter Reed Hospital as chief dietian. My mother taught special education in montgomery county public schools for 30 years. I attended Montgomery Junior College (Germantown) and then on to the University of Maryland (Business Administration – 1984).  I have had the opportunity to live in otherparts of the country from L.A., Calf., Des Moines, IA, Dallas, TX, Atlanta, GA.

How did you hear about Georgetown Ministry Center?
I was trying to move someone out of my spot by bribing him with a sandwich and he told me he could get better sandwiches than I had at GMC. I asked what and where is GMC, and he told me.

What do you like most about GMC?
The computers are the number 1 attraction for me. I had always been an PC person, and learning the Apple has been an experience (a good one). However, having a high quality computer has been an immeasurable asset.

Where is your favorite place to go in D.C.?
The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts – Millennium Stage, is where you will find me most evenings.

What is one thing you think people should know or understand about homelessness?
Wow. The reasons for homelessness are as numerous as the individuals experiencing homelessness. Having real conversations with others (no matter how one-sided, short, lopsided, sometimes incoherent) keeps you connected to the rest of humanity and serves a powerful purpose, even if you don’t get to see the result of the few minutes you spent with someone.