The Father
McKenna Center
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Programs

His labor of love, had evolved into an agency serving annually (FY'08) 28,373 men, women and children in the North Capitol area, historically among D.C.'s poorest areas

Services include:

• A daytime Drop-In Center for homeless men
• The HIV/AIDS Initiative
Hypothermia Unit & Myriad of other programs & initiatives
Emergency Food, Rental and Utility Assistance

Tremendous Need for Services

DC Fiscal Policy Institute 2007 study found:

  • DC Poverty Highest in a decade
  • Income inequality is greater in DC than nearly every other city
  • African-Americans w/high school ed. Or less face lowest employment rate in three decades
  • 73% of "very low income" pay more than 30% of their total income for rent
  • Between 2000-2004, the District lost 7500 rental housing units priced at $500 per month while increasing   units prices at $1000 per month by 13,000 units
  • This is the '08 reality facing DC's homeless - A Tale of Two Cities

The Drop-In Center

• One of only two in downtown Washington D.C.
• Guests offered:
  • Shower facilities, laundry, telephone, and local transportation
  • Referrals for an array of basic services to meet medical, employment and other personal needs
  • Over 100 men per day are assisted by the Drop-in Center Guests can get their mail; use center as address    for job search
  • They attend a support group meeting

Hypothermia Unit & Other Programs

• McKenna Center responds to the dangers of hypothermia by giving shelter for up to 25 vulnerable men from   November 1 to April 1 who would otherwise sleep on the streets.

Drug & Alcohol Counseling

• Mental illness and addictions are common among DC's homeless population McKenna Center has the capacity to provide or direct those in need to assistance

McKenna Center's "PeaceMeal"

• Every Wednesday night, the McKenna Center hosts a nutritious community meal for the homeless PeaceMeal is designed to enhance not only the health but also the sense of self worth of our guests

Weeklong Immersion Programs for High School

Participating Schools Include:

• Gonzaga High School, Washington, D.C.
• Boston College High School, Boston, MA
• St. Peter's Prep, Jersey City, NJ
• Scranton Prep, Scranton, PA

• Various parishes from Massachusetts and Nebraska participate also through Young Neighbors in Action