Father McKenna Center is located in Ward 6 of the District of Columbia, which is one of the 8 wards in the city. Two of the Father McKenna Center family programs, the food pantry and the rent and utility assistance program are limited to residents of Ward 6. Other programs including the daytime drop-in center for homeless men and our hypothermia prevention programs, are open to homeless men from the District and beyond. Washington is a tale of two cities. The gap between the rich and the poor is great and Ward 6 reflects this dichotomy. Consider this from Urban Institute study published in 2008: "Ward 6 includes neighborhoods with the largest increases and the steepest drops in median household income between 1990-2000."
Amidst the expensive condos and gentrification of areas of Ward 6, here are some other facts:
The Father McKenna Center is located in the Downtown/North Capitol Street area of Ward 6. On one side of North Capitol Street NE is NOMA (North of Massachusetts development of businesses and fashionable restaurants and groceries). On the other side of North Capitol Street (NW) is found the area known as Sursum Corda, a housing complex that Father Horace McKenna helped found. Some of the housing for very low income residents has been torn down, a fate that Sursum Corda itself might soon face. While this area is changing there remain pockets of concentrated poverty in this neighborhood and elsewhere in Ward 6.
Amidst the expensive condos and gentrification of areas of Ward 6, here are some other facts:
- In May 2008 the unemployment rate in DC was 6.6%. Portions of Ward 6 including Near Southeast/Navy Yard had a of 21.6% and Downtown/North Capitol Street had a rate 19.8%.
- In Ward 6, the number of people on food stamps varies with a 5% rate in Capitol Hill/Lincoln Park to 37% in Downtown/North Capitol Street.
- Ward 6 rivals Ward 8 for the highest number of students receiving free and reduced priced lunches. In the Near Southeast/Navy Yard the percentage of students receiving free and reduced priced lunches was 82%.
- The highest rate of poverty among seniors was in Ward 6 with Near Southeast/Navy Yard area with 62%.
- The Downtown/North Capitol Street area of Ward 6 had the highest violent crime rate in the city in 2006.
- In the near Southeast/Navy Yard area of Ward 6 the percentage of children living in poverty was 67%.
The Father McKenna Center is located in the Downtown/North Capitol Street area of Ward 6. On one side of North Capitol Street NE is NOMA (North of Massachusetts development of businesses and fashionable restaurants and groceries). On the other side of North Capitol Street (NW) is found the area known as Sursum Corda, a housing complex that Father Horace McKenna helped found. Some of the housing for very low income residents has been torn down, a fate that Sursum Corda itself might soon face. While this area is changing there remain pockets of concentrated poverty in this neighborhood and elsewhere in Ward 6.
- Food, Showers
- Laundry, Mail
- Clothing, Telephone
- Rent and Utility Assistance
- Hypothermia
- HIV/Aids Testing
- Drug and Alchol Placement
- Mental Health
- Holiday Baskets
- Transportation Assistance
- Transitional Living
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Congratulations Bill K. For Winning the Sear's Dad's Making a Difference Contest
The Father McKenna Center is so grateful for the support of the Fathers and Sons of Gonzaga High School
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The Father McKenna Center is so grateful for the support of the Fathers and Sons of Gonzaga High School