Father Mckenna Center Inc

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DAY PROGRAM FOR MEN STRUGGLING WITH HOMELESSNESSNOW, TWO AND A HALF YEARS INTO THE PANDEMIC WITH THE SEVERITY OF THE COVID 19 VIRUS CONSIDERABLY DIMINISHED AND WITH EACH OF OUR HOMELESS GUESTS, STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS FULLY VACCINATED AND FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEALTH PROTOCOLS, ACTIVITY AND PARTICIPATION AT THE CENTER IS APPROACHING PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.THE LARGEST PROGRAM OF THE FATHER MCKENNA CENTER IS THE DAY PROGRAM FOR MEN CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE DAY PROGRAM IS A DROP-IN" PROGRAM THAT WELCOMES GUESTS INTO THE CENTER TO MEET THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS WHILE PROVIDING CASE MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SUPPORT TO ASSIST OUR GUESTS TO IDENTIFY THE OBSTACLES THEY FACE AND TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME THOSE OBSTACLES SO THAT THEY CAN RECLAIM THEIR LIVES. OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 7:30 AM TO 1:00 PM, WITH SPECIAL PROGRAMS IN THE AFTERNOON, THE DAY PROGRAM PROVIDES A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT FOR MEN WHO STRUGGLE WITH HOMELESSNESS TO DEVELOP THE INDIVIDUAL STRATEGIES THEY NEED TO MOVE TOWARD STABILITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND MEANING IN THEIR LIVES.DURING FISCAL YEAR 2022, IMPROVED PUBLIC HEALTH CONDITIONS ENABLED THE CENTER TO PROVIDE THE MEN WITH 10,723 MEALS DURING 9,117 SEPARATE VISITS, A 56% ANNUAL INCREASE IN MEALS SERVED. ONE ADDITIONAL WAY IN WHICH THE FATHER MCKENNA CENTER HONORS ITS COMMITMENT TO RESPECTING THE DIGNITY OF EACH OF OUR HOMELESS GUESTS IS BY MAKING SHOWERS AVAILABLE BOTH DURING THE DAY PROGRAM AND IN THE EVENING AS PART OF THE HYPOTHERMIA PROGRAM. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2022 THE CENTER PROVIDED 5850 SHOWERS. THE CENTER ALSO PROVIDES THE MEN WITH A DAILY LAUNDRY SERVICE, AND DURING THE PAST YEAR LAUNDERED 1440 LOADS OF CLOTHING, WHICH MORE THAN DOUBLED THE PRIOR YEAR'S TOTAL. ADDITIONALLY, THE CENTER MAKES AVAILABLE A "CLOTHING CLOSET" THAT DURING FISCAL YEAR 2022 PROVIDED 454 OF THE MEN WITH 4,248 ITEMS OF CLOTHING VALUED AT $22,790. OUR MOST IMPORTANT WORK IN THIS PROGRAM IS ACHIEVED THROUGH CASE MANAGEMENT. OUR APPROACH TO CASE MANAGEMENT IS GUIDED BY "THE BETTER LIFE PYRAMID." THIS PROVEN METHOD, DEVELOPED AT THE FATHER MCKENNA CENTER, WHEN FOLLOWED DILIGENTLY AND WITH SUPPORT, CAN LEAD A MAN OUT OF HOMELESSNESS TO A LIFE OF INDEPENDENCE, STABILITY, AND MEANING. THE CASE MANAGEMENT TEAM (CMT) PROVIDES THIS SUPPORT ALONG WITH REFERRAL SERVICES TO HELP OUR GUESTS RECOGNIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. THE CMT HELD OVER 3,843 CONSULTATIONS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2022, A 114% INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE CASE MANAGERS LISTEN CAREFULLY TO EACH GUEST AND FORMULATE AN INDIVIDUAL PLAN TO GUIDE HIM ON THE JOURNEY TO A BETTER LIFE. FREQUENTLY THIS INCLUDES A REFERRAL TO ONE OF OUR PARTNERS FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES, SUCH AS HOUSING, REHABILITATION FOR ADDICTION, JOB TRAINING, MENTAL OR PHYSICAL HEALTH OR TO OBTAIN AN ID. IN FISCAL YEAR 2022, THE CASE MANAGEMENT TEAM ALSO ASSISTED MEN IN OBTAINING A TOTAL OF 129 ID'S, 82 BIRTH CERTIFICATES, AND 70 SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS ENABLING THEM TO GAIN ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN ADDITION, THE CMT HELPED THE MEN IN OBTAINING A TOTAL OF $783 IN TRANSPORTATION BENEFITS (METRO CARDS AND TOKENS). ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR MEN WHO FACE HOMELESSNESS IS PROVIDED IN OUR DAILY SUPPORT GROUP MEETING, BI-MONTHLY PEACE BUILDING ASSEMBLIES, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CIRCLES, AND SPIRITUALITY/FAITH SHARING GROUP, AND WEEKLY PEACE CIRCLE MEETINGS. ON A REGULAR BASIS THE DIRECTOR OF SERVICES FACILITATES A RECIDIVISM PREVENTION WORKSHOP. THESE PROGRAMS OFFER A SPECIALIZED OPPORTUNITY FOR MEN TO MOVE FORWARD TO STABILITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND MEANING IN LIFE. A NEW INITIATIVE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS HAS BEEN THE MCKENNA MAN PROJECT. THE GOAL OF THE MCKENNA MAN PROJECT IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR MEN WHO HAVE OVERCOME HOMELESSNESS AND RECEIVED HOUSING BUT ARE STILL EVOLVING. WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH MENTORS FROM OMEGA PSI PHI, A FRATERNITY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN, THE PROJECT RECOGNIZES THAT THE CREATION OF A SOCIAL NETWORK IS CRITICAL TO OVERCOMING THE LONELINESS THAT MIGHT LEAD A MAN BACK TO OLD HABITS AND OLD HAUNTS. THE MCKENNA MAN PROJECT HAD A SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH IN JULY 2021. OVER 70 PEOPLE GATHERED TO RECOGNIZE 20 MEN FROM THE PROGRAM WHO HAD REMAINED STABLE AND INDEPENDENT FOR OVER A YEAR ONE OF WHOM WAS SELECTED AS THE FIRST "MCKENNA MAN OF THE YEAR." COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS LIMITED THE NUMBER OF EVENTS WE COULD SCHEDULE FOR THE MCKENNA MEN THIS PAST YEAR, BUT THIS SUMMER, 28 MEN AND FRIENDS OF THE CENTER WERE STILL ABLE TO COME TOGETHER FOR A REUNION AND TO HONOR THIS PAST YEAR'S MCKENNA MAN OF THE YEAR, A GUEST OF THE CENTER WHO WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN NATURALIZATION STATUS AND WHO ALSO HELPED ESTABLISH A SCHOOL IN HIS NATIVE COUNTRY. HE IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH US IN THE HYPOTHERMIA -TRANSITION PROGRAM. WE ARE PLANNING PROGRAMS OVER THE WINTER TO HELP THESE MCKENNA MEN RECONNECT WITH THE CENTER.DURING THE PAST YEAR THE CENTER HAS MAINTAINED A VACCINATION MANDATE FOR EVERYONE WHO ENTERED THE BUILDING. ALL GUESTS, INCLUDING 508 DAY PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, THE 14 MEN IN THE HYPOTHERMIA PROGRAM, AND ALL GUESTS TO THE FOOD PANTRY ARE FULLY VACCINATED AS, OF COURSE, ARE ALL CENTER STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS.

FOOD PANTRYTHE FOOD PANTRY AT THE CENTER SERVES LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND BEYOND WITH FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, BREAD, MILK, EGGS, MEAT, AND A VARIETY OF SHELF-STABLE ITEMS. WE ARE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK AND FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS A "WELLNESS PARTNER" BECAUSE WE PURCHASE AND PROVIDE HEALTHY ITEMS THAT ARE LOW IN SODIUM AND HIGH IN FIBER.IN THE PAST YEAR WE SERVED 403 UNIQUE HOUSEHOLDS REPRESENTING 910 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING BOTH SHOPPERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THERE WERE 2,337 INDIVIDUAL SHOPPING VISITS TO OUR FOOD PANTRY. WE ESTIMATE THAT IN THE PAST YEAR WE HAVE PROVIDED OVER $180,000 WORTH OF GROCERIES TO OUR NEIGHBORS.

HYPOTHERMIA/TRANSITION PROGRAM THE HYPOTHERMIA/TRANSITION PROGRAM OFFERS UP TO 15 MEN A WARM, SAFE AND SECURE PLACE TO SLEEP OUT OF THE COLD, A QUALITY EVENING MEAL PROVIDED AND SERVED BY GONZAGA COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL FAMILIES, AND TARGETED CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES WITH THE GOAL OF FINDING A JOB AND A PERMANENT PLACE TO LIVE. THE PROGRAM OPENS ON NOVEMBER 1 AND CONTINUES EVERY NIGHT THROUGH MARCH 31 EACH YEAR. THE HYPOTHERMIA/TRANSITION PROGRAM WAS SUSPENDED IN FISCAL YEAR 2022 DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

OTHER PROGRAMS (INCLUDES IMMERSION SERVICE/LEARNING PROGRAM, THE MCKENNA ACADEMY AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAM)THE IMMERSION SERVICE/LEARNING PROGRAM WAS REINSTATED IN MARCH OF 2022. WE HAVE GRADUALLY BEEN ABLE TO OFFER THE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE TO THE STUDENTS AT GONZAGA COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL AND SEVERAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. THE FATHER MCKENNA CENTER WELCOMES STUDENT GROUPS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR A WEEK OF SERVICE AND LEARNING. STUDENTS VOLUNTEER IN THE CENTER, PREPARE MEALS, MEET OUR GUESTS, HELP IN THE FOOD PANTRY AND SUPPORT OTHER SERVICES THAT WE OFFER. THE CENTER OFFERS REFLECTIONS AND MEETS WITH THE STUDENTS TO CHALLENGE THEM TO SEE PEOPLE WHO FACE POVERTY AND HUNGER IN NEW WAYS. "WHEN I ARRIVED, I THOUGHT OF THE HOMELESS AS A 'DEMOGRAPHIC.' NOW I KNOW THAT THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS LIKE ME," WROTE ONE STUDENT. AS OF MAY 2022, THE CENTER LAUNCHED THE MCKENNA ACADEMY ("THE ACADEMY") AS A PILOT PROGRAM. CONSISTENT WITH THE BETTER LIFE PYRAMID, THE ACADEMY REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARD HELPING THE MEN WE SERVE BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY, ADDICTION, AND HOMELESSNESS. ITS INITIAL COHORT OF 14 MEN ARE ENROLLED IN A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OFFERING LIFE SKILLS, FINANCIAL LITERACY, DIGITAL INSTRUCTION, CAREER COUNSELING AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES. THE PARTICIPANTS COMMIT TO A FIVE-DAY WEEK, FULL-DAY PROGRAM THAT EXTENDS FOR SIX MONTHS. THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR MEN WHO ARE READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARD MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT AND STABLE HOUSING. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN ENHANCED BY PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER AGENCIES THAT SERVE OUR POPULATION. TO FACILITATE THE PROGRAM, WE SERVE TWO MEALS A DAY, AND WE HAVE HIRED A PART-TIME DRIVER TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT.VOLUNTEERS ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE FATHER MCKENNA CENTER. THEY PROVIDE THE HEARTS AND HANDS THAT MAKE THE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS AT THE CENTER POSSIBLE. FROM SERVING BREAKFAST OR LUNCH, TO DISTRIBUTING MAIL, VOLUNTEERS TOUCH THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE. BOTH OUR FOOD PANTRY AND OUR CLOTHING DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS ARE STAFFED SUBSTANTIALLY BY VOLUNTEERS. DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE FISCAL YEAR, COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS REMAINED IN PLACE AND THERE WERE FEWER VOLUNTEERS WORKING AT THE CENTER. THOSE RESTRICTIONS WERE LIFTED IN MARCH, AND VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION HAS RETURNED TO PRE-COVID-19 LEVELS WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SERVING, IMMERSION TRIPS IN PLACE, AND VOLUNTEERS AGAIN REGULARLY SERVING AT THE CENTER. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2022, 441 INDIVIDUALS VOLUNTEERED AT THE FATHER MCKENNA CENTER. VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED OVER 9,569 HOURS OF SERVICE TO PEOPLE IN NEED AND TO THE UPKEEP OF OUR CENTER. THIS IS THE HOUR EQUIVALENT OF 4.6 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES, AND IT HAS A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT ON THE CENTER'S ABILITY TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.