Our History
In 1984, an elderly man named Freddy died in an icy phone booth, alone on a cold street in Georgetown. His death sparked a community response, as several congregations, Georgetown University, and the Georgetown Business District rallied to find solutions for the starkly apparent emerging homelessness crisis in the neighborhood. In 1987, the organizations incorporated and formed the Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC) to provide needed services for chronically homeless individuals in the area.
GMC is a place for the homeless population to belong and be accepted. As the only service provider of its kind in Georgetown, GMC is a critical resource for 1,000 individuals experiencing homelessness each year. GMC forms relationships with a vulnerable population that is often ignored and misunderstood in an attempt to move them off the streets and into stable housing. GMC does this by operating a Drop-In Center, Street Outreach and Winter Program.
Our Mission
Georgetown Ministry Center guides service-resistant, chronically homeless individuals towards stability through provision of a safe and welcoming environment where everyone is treated with respect, street outreach, and advocacy for the homeless. We seek lasting solutions to homelessness one person at a time.
GMC Values Statements
Community: GMC builds community in and through all of our work. is grounded in belonging and is reflective of the broad and diverse constituencies that engage GMC.
Dignity: We believe in the inherent worth of each member of our community. We celebrate and recognize the uniqueness of each individual and create an environment where all are seen, heard, respected and accepted for who they are regardless of status or other societal identities.
Love: We choose compassion and kindness in the form of a love first model.. We nurture trust and act with unconditional care.
Stewardship: We manage with care and integrity all resources entrusted to us – human, financial and material. We are adaptable and resourceful in our approach, always assuring that resources are maximized and wisely used for the benefit of all.
