Washington, DC
Feeding the Hungry and Homeless in Washington, DC
The United States of America is one of the world's wealthiest nations, especially when it comes to the
agriculture that we produce. Yet enough food goes to waste each day to feed
every hungry adult and child living in this nation. Some five million
children go to bed hungry each night, due to inefficiencies
in the food processing and distribution networks. All
too often, if there is no money to be made, fresh healthy
vegetables and nutritious fruits are discarded, r
ather
than pay to ensure that the hungry are fed.
The Partnership
Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC), a non-profit organization based in the heart of Georgetown, is an essential part of the "net" of services cast to the city's homeless population. The center provides shelter and services to the most vulnerable and withdrawn of the homeless on the streets of DC.
As an Amizade participant, you will learn about Georgetown Ministry Center's mission and services and receive an orientation that prepares you to participate in Street Outreach with the staff. Amizade participants will make sandwiches at the center and then work with GMC staff to deliver the sandwiches and offer a friendly-ear to the homeless on the streets of Georgetown. While participating in the Street Outreach, you will certainly be inspired by the strong sense of community that has developed between the GMC staff and volunteers and the homeless individuals.
To find out more about Georgetown Ministry Center's programs and services, please check out their website: http://www.georgetownministrycenter.org/
So Others Might Eat (SOME), a recipient of the 2007 National Capital Business Ethics Award, exists to help the poor and homeless of our nation's capital. SOME meets the immediate daily needs of the people they serve with food, clothing, and health care. SOME helps break the cycle of homelessness by offering services, such as affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling, to the poor, the elderly and individuals with mental illness. Each day, SOME is restoring hope and dignity one person at a time.
While providing a wide range of direct services, SOME also advocates for public policy and program changes that will better serve the needs of DC's homeless and other low-income residents.
As an Amizade participant at SOME, you will participate in direct service by working alongside SOME staff and volunteers to help prepare and serve meals in the dining hall to SOME's clients. You will also have the opportunity to attend a workshop on homelessness and social justice, take a tour of SOME's facilities and learn about all of SOME's services and programs.
We additionally partner with and learn from various other community organizations such as DC Central Kitchen, McKenna's Wagon, Martha's Table, National Coalition for the Homeless, and Street Sense.
Washington DC Program References
Janet Lee - janet.lee@dartmouth.edu
Jill McDermott - jill.mcdermott@dartmouth.edu
Jeffrey
Coots - jcoots@dartmouth.edu
Lucinda
Leung - luci@dartmouth.edu
Johann
Maradey- jlm@dartmouth.edu
Rose
Mutiso - rose.mutiso@dartmouth.edu
