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We often host students from out of state for service projects or alternative spring breaks. Last Thursday, we were able to introduce students from Howard University to the issue of homelessness that occurs right in their city. Staying local for their spring break, these students visited various sites in D.C. to learn about an issue that is so prevalent in their backyard.

GMC staff designed a survey for our members to help us develop a better understanding of the population we serve and what they need. Among standard questions such as age, we also wanted to know what benefits people already had versus what they need, as well as what health issues our members have and whether or not they are receiving treatment. We had these students from Howard survey and chat with our members, and then we took them to do street outreach so that they could survey the people we regularly see on the street.

Special thanks to Natalie, a senior at Howard University, for organizing the group!

NPR recently had a segment about health care, aging, and homelessness. We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to listen to the piece and read the short article on the NPR website.

This piece came out right before the first day of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council 2013 conference, which is taking place right here in Washington, D.C. Dr. Catherine Crosland, who visits GMC on Thursdays, is presenting at the conference. We will recap her presentation after the conference. Stay tuned!

Have you heard about Gifts for the Homeless? They are an amazing wholly volunteer-run non-profit that helps the homeless in Washington D.C. Every winter, they collect either clothes or funds to purchase cold weather items to donate to area shelters, outreach programs, soup kitchens, and transitional homes.

This year, we received a box of men and women’s underwear, a box of thermal socks, and a box of knit hats from GFTH right when the weather started to get really cold. We were able to give everyone in our center at least 2 pairs of socks and a hat to help them through the cold nights. Thank you so much, Gifts for the Homeless, for thinking of Georgetown Ministry Center’s guests this winter season! Keep up your good work.

Last Thursday, twelve University of Michigan students came to volunteer at GMC as part of their alternative spring break trip. We first led these students on a two-hour walk around Georgetown and Foggy Bottom to conduct street outreach and pass out toiletry kits. We saw a lot of people on the street who were very happy to receive a toothbrush, shampoo, hand sanitizer, and tissues.

Afterwards, the group came back to GMC where they split up. Half of the group hung out with our members and started a very intense Scrabble game that had members, students, and staff gathered around. The other half worked in our clothes closet and put together a clothing rack to hang out all of the coats we had received from Water Street Gym’s coat drive.

Thank you, University of Michigan students, for spending your spring break helping those less fortunate! We loved having you here and hope you come back next year.

Help the Homeless Art Contest

Every year, Fannie Mae hosts the annual Help the Homeless Art Contest, a leading component of the Help the Homeless Program’s public awareness and fundraising campaign. This year, we invite students from area schools and children’s organizations nationwide in grades K through 8 to participate in the 2013 Help the Homeless Art Contest.

The 2013 Help the Homeless Art Contest encourages students to express their artistic talents to produce creative artwork that represent home. There will be one student chosen to have their artwork featured on the Help the Homeless website, in social media, and on other promotional items.

Artwork must be submitted by Friday, March 29, 2013. Please click the links below to read the official guidelines, the waiver, and to view past winners.

Help the Homeless Art Contest Guidelines

Help the Homeless Art Contest Waiver

Help the Homeless Previous Art Contest Winners