Have you seen the now-viral photo captured just down the street from Georgetown Ministry Center last week that shows former VP Joe Biden interacting with one of GMC’s guests, a man experiencing homelessness?
A great example of how it only takes a moment to lend a helping hand — no matter who you are.
A viral photo captures former Vice President Joe Biden having a moment with a homeless man Thursday evening.
The photo was taken Thursday evening outside the Georgetown AMC movie theater by Caleb Baca.
Biden was reportedly at the movies with his granddaughter, who was visiting him in town.
“I’m not exactly sure what he gave the homeless man, but he appeared to write something down on a piece of paper inside the movie theater, which he then proceeded to give the homeless man outside,” Baca tells FOX 5.
The photo was shared on social media by D.C. Public Affairs consultant and businessman Paul Equale and has since gone viral — with over 50,000 shares and over 70,000 likes on Facebook.
Equale wrote in his post of Baca’s photo: “Joe Biden took his granddaughter to the movies in Georgetown last night…..on his way out he stopped to speak w/ a homeless man. A bystander took this candid shot. Character is about what you do when no one is watching.”
At the end of February 2018, Gunther Stern retired as GMC’s Executive Director. To thank and honor Gunther for his 27 years of distinguished service, we invite you to join a new initiative – the Stern Legacy Circle – to carry on his work and support Georgetown Ministry Center’s capital needs. Our campaign goal is to renovate the day center facility and to rename it as GMC’s Gunther Stern Center at a Grand Reopening on April 18, 2018.
Click below to learn more about the Stern Legacy Circle and how you can become a part of GMC history!
If you haven’t already, check out this short video that provides an overview of the services Georgetown Ministry Center provides in support of its mission to end homelessness, one person at a time. Then share with your friends!
Dr. Catherine Crosland, Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC)’s Consultant Physician, used a short needle to prick the finger of Thomas,* a GMC guest she had encountered during a street outreach session earlier that week. After drawing his blood and registering a blood sugar reading of 353 milligrams per deciliter, the diagnosis was clear.
Dr. Crosland pricks a patient’s finger to draw blood.
“Has anyone ever told you that you have diabetes before?”
Thomas was silent, slouching forward in a chair inside GMC’s administrative offices.
“If there’s ever a sugar over 200, that’s a definition of diabetes. So, it looks like you do have diabetes. So, it would be great if we could get you to the clinic and get you onto some medications so we can get the sugar down. Would you be willing to do that?”
Thomas’ shoulders remained hunched, a simple “yes” floating up from beneath his black, wool cap.
“Do you know what diabetes is?” Dr. Crosland inquired.
“I know it’s a disease where they advise you not to eat sugar,” Thomas offered.
“That’s right.” Dr. Crosland went on to explain the disease in greater detail to him before advising, “If you could make an effort between now and Friday to just drink water, no sweetened beverages, we can get a much better read on your sugar.”
Thomas straightened his slumped posture for the first time and peered up from behind thick, black bifocals. “Somehow it sounds like a joyless prospect if all I can drink is water.”
Dr. Crosland smiled. “You do what you need to between now and Friday, but come to the appointment either way.”
As it happened, Thomas had difficulty making his way to the clinic that Friday, despite Dr. Crosland’s careful instructions. He asked multiple people for help on his journey using the city’s public transportation system, as he doesn’t own a car, but no one was familiar with the clinic or could tell him where it was located. In the end, he missed his appointment — and the opportunity for potentially life-saving treatment to a chronic disease.
Stories like Thomas’ are not uncommon amongst the vulnerable population that GMC serves. Many of our guests have not been seen by a doctor for many years, leaving all kinds of illnesses undiagnosed and untreated — some of them life-threatening. And it’s often logistical matters that most of us take for granted — things like a navigation system and a car to make arriving at an appointment on time easier — that act as barriers to receiving help.
Fortunately, in Thomas’ case, Dr. Crosland was able to reconnect with him and he made it to an appointment a couple of weeks later where he received additional treatment for his diabetes.
Thomas is an example of someone that did not frequent GMC’s day center and did not have regular contact with the medical and psychiatric services provided there. Men and women like Thomas are what make GMC’s Street Outreach Program so essential to reaching the most vulnerable members of our society — often those who are in greatest need.
GMC’s Street Outreach Program and other programs are made possible by the generous support of our donors, supporters and volunteers — we thank you! Click here to learn more about GMC’s Street Outreach Program and click here to support our program with a monetary donation.
*”Thomas’” name has been changed to protect his privacy.
Dr. Catherine Crosland has been a Consulting Physician at Georgetown Ministry Center since 2009. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, she serves as the Medical Director for Homeless Outreach Services at Unity Health Care.
Today marks the beginning of Lent, a period of religious observance held by many Christian faiths in preparation for Easter. For many, Lent is a season of self-reflection, often punctuated by prayer, almsgiving and fasting. No matter your religious affiliation or spiritual beliefs, though, we can all benefit from charity through almsgiving and fasting. Almsgiving, or giving to others as an act of virtue, sets us free from greed and helps us to regard our neighbor as our brother and sister. When we give alms, we share in God’s providential care for each of his children. Fasting allows us to better understand what those without food readily available endure and hopefully compels us to come to their aid.
Georgetown Ministry Center has long relied on the generosity of our community to support our mission to end homelessness, one person at a time; indeed, our organization was founded 30 years ago by a group of multi-faith congregations, united by a common desire to care for our neighbors in need! We encourage everyone to seize the opportunity today to pause and inwardly reflect; how can you make a difference for our neighbors in need?
