Contact: Dusty Lockhart, ThreeLockharts Communications
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Georgetown Business Improvement District presents the Georgetown Ministry Center with over $38,000 raised by the 17th Annual Taste of Georgetown.
2010’s Georgetown BID-hosted Taste of Georgetown raises largest amount in the event’s 17-year history.
WASHINGTON, DC (December 21, 2010) – The spirit of giving is alive in Georgetown. On December 2, 2010, the Georgetown Business Improvement District (GBID) presented the Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC) with a check for more than $38,000 from funds raised through the highly successful 17th Annual Taste of Georgetown event on October 9. This donation is the largest ever raised for GMC by the Taste of Georgetown event.
The check was presented by Jim Bracco, Executive Director of the GBID to GMC’s Executive Director Gunther Stern and Outreach Director Roy Witherspoon, and Grace Church Rector John Graham. The donation will be used to directly assist GMC in its mission to find lasting solutions for people who are homeless on the streets of Georgetown.
Established in 1987, GMC is a non-profit social service organization that provides services for the homeless including counseling, information services, street outreach, showers and laundry, as well as a consulting physiatrist who takes time to meet with these individuals both in GMC’s office and on the street.
GMC’s unique presence in Georgetown makes it an essential part of services cast to the city’s homeless population. Services include:
Drop-In Center
GMC maintains drop-in office hours from 10:00am to 2:00pm, Monday through Friday, for counseling, information, and referral services. With additional office hours and outreach activities in the afternoons and evenings. GMC helps clients access entitlements, transitional and permanent housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and employment programs.
Shower and Laundry
GMC offer showers and laundry services seven days a week
Street Outreach
GMC Staff visits the most vulnerable and withdrawn of the homeless on the streets, in the alley’s and under bridges to offer services, a friendly ear and perhaps prevent a hypothermia death.
Psychiatrist
Since 1997, GMC has brought competent, caring psychiatry to the streets where homeless people reside. The psychiatrist sees homeless people one evening a week and on an emergency basis as needed. The psychiatrist engages treatment-resistanthomeless persons in the center, on the streets and at the shelter.
Winter Shelter
Today’s program serves ten homeless people beginning in November and ending in mid-April. The shelter is open from 7:00pm to 7:00am, seven days a week and rotates semi-monthly among member congregations in Georgetown. The Shelter offers a comfortable, friendly, low-demand environment designed to appeal to the most vulnerable and service-resistant homeless people.
In 2004, the Georgetown BID became involved with the organization and production of the Taste of Georgetown event, originally created by Grace Church, and has since raised over $100,000 for GMC. This year’s event saw an unprecedented high attendance on a beautiful fall day and showcased the spectacular cuisine of 30 of Georgetown’s finest restaurants, wines and music. Growing larger each year, the Taste of Georgetown has become the premier food and wine festival in DC. The Taste of Georgetown 2010 video can be viewed on the Georgetown DC YouTube channel here.
About the Georgetown Business Improvement District
The Georgetown Business Improvement District (BID) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the accessibility, attractiveness and overall appeal of Georgetown. Established in 1999 by its property owners and merchants, the Georgetown BID has more than 1,000 members. The organization is located in the heart of Georgetown in Washington, D.C. and sets a standard of excellence in preserving historic charm while meeting contemporary needs. From marketing and special events, to transportation and streetscape, the Georgetown BID contributes to the vitality and quality of life in Georgetown. For more information please visit georgetowndc.com.
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