Category: Success Stories

Why is there a picture of a toilet on our blog?

You may be wondering why I am posting a picture of a toilet on our blog. Fifteen minutes ago, the toilet in that picture was clogged up and icky. Now, it is back in order and sanitized, thanks to two of our amazing members who grabbed the plunger out of my hands and worked on the toilet together.

It is the little things like this that make me so happy to be a part of Georgetown Ministry Center.

If you’re on our mailing list, you should find our newsletter in your mailbox soon. Seven of our amazing members helped us assemble, seal, stamp, and address over 1,000 of these newsletters by hand!

On Tuesday, seven members stayed after we closed to assist in this massive project. Though stuffing envelopes may sound like a dull chore, everyone had a blast. We ordered pizza, took turns choosing songs on YouTube, and joked around. Everyone was in such good spirits. People sang along to the music or did a little dance, and the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. A few members also voiced that they were happy to be doing something productive to help us.

We have a really good group of people in our center. Stop by and meet them!

“Can you thank everyone here for being so nice?”

A few minutes before our weekly house meeting (during which staff and members discuss concerns or suggestions for the center), one of our members asked staff to thank everyone for being warm, helpful, and nice. Though our goal for the people who walk through our doors is to ultimately help them find housing, we also strive to make Georgetown Ministry Center a warm, safe, and comfortable place where people can hang out, see familiar faces, and meet new friends. We tell our members that they are responsible for the atmosphere and mood in the center.

Today’s house meeting demonstrated the community feeling that we aim for. We thanked everyone for their help and together revised a policy about computer usage on the weekends. Then one of our members raised his hand and addressed the crowd:

“The people who work here are here for us. Whatever we want, they try and get for us– ironing board, bowls, silverware… When you take from the center, you’re not only stealing from the center, but you’re stealing from yourself. … The cups and the headphones are here for us to use, but if you take them, we’re not going to have them anymore.”

The change in participation during our house meetings is noteworthy. When we started, almost no one talked (or even stayed for the meeting). Then, our members would direct their concerns only at staff. Now, our members will address each other. It is wonderful to watch.

I am constantly impressed by how great our members are. They manage the sign-up list for the computers themselves and teach each other how to reboot our overworked coffee machine. When small conflicts arise, people nearby help mediate. We have a crew of people who will sweep our floors, as well as the alleyway outside. Boxes of supplies are whisked out of staff hands and put into the cupboards without us even having to ask.

If you haven’t been in to see our new center, please feel free to wander by one day. We’ll get one of our members to give you the tour.

We consider ourselves very lucky here at Georgetown Ministry Center. We have such amazing supporters, from individuals to local businesses to schools. Today, we have to give a great big thank you to Calvary Road Christian School in Alexandria. Every Halloween they run a sock drive, and this year we were the benefiting organization!

Calvary Road Christian School collected so many socks that, at the moment, we are able to give several pairs to each person, as well as some to those we see during street outreach. Usually when we have socks, we can only give one pair to each guest who comes in with none left over for street outreach.

The excitement and happiness that emanated through the center was palpable. I never thought that something as simple as socks could make someone so happy.

A thousand thanks to Calvary Road Christian School from everyone here at Georgetown Ministry Center!

“So when will we see you in the center next?” I asked a guest Wednesday evening.

“Hmm… tomorrow is Thursday. Pat comes on Thursday. I’ll see you tomorrow!”

Many of our guests look forward to Thursdays for the same reason: Pat Davies, sandwich donor extraordinaire. Everyone enjoys the array of food Pat brings– two kinds of sandwiches (pb&j or turkey and cheese), grapes, clementines, and assorted baked goods– but what makes us all so happy to see Pat is her desire to spend a few minutes in the center to see how everyone is doing.

Pat and her helpers (fellow parishioners of Georgetown Presbyterian Church) distribute their sandwiches and greet our guests by name. She listens– really listens– to the answer when she asks, “How are you doing?”

When I asked a few people why they like Pat, many stated that they like being able to thank her in person for the sandwiches. This sentiment is echoed generally as well; a few guests have approached me and said they wish they could meet the sandwich donors in order to thank them.

If you are a sandwich donor and have a few minutes to spare, feel free to stay and chat with our amazing guests. They want to tell you for themselves how much your sandwiches are appreciated.

–Stephanie