FATHER MCKENNA CENTER INC
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Mission Statement
The mission of The Father McKenna Center is to care for families struggling with food insecurity and men experiencing homelessness by providing food, shelter, clothing, and services to support their journey toward stability and hope.
About This Cause
1. DAY SHELTER PROGRAM SERVING 500 MEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ANNUALLY The centerpiece of the McKenna Center’s work is its Day Shelter Program that provides men experiencing homelessness with a dignified, safe environment. This program operates from 7:30 am to 1 pm Monday through Friday and up to 3 pm in the frigid and hot months. Through the Day Shelter Program, the McKenna Center provides a wide range of support services to our guests to help them reclaim their lives. These include. • SERVING MORE THAN 20,000 HEARTY NUTRITIOUS BREAKFASTS AND LUNCHES, including serving more fruits, vegetables, and lean protein as this might be a man’s only meal of the day. • PROVIDING MORE THAN 1,000 CASE MANAGEMENT CONSULTATIONS to help guests obtain vital documents needed to secure housing and public benefits and offer referrals to addiction services, mental health counseling, job readiness programs, and education and training opportunities. • OFFERING HEALTH SERVICES such as specialized clinics (e.g. flu shots and podiatric care) provided by Georgetown University’s Hoya Clinic and health screenings, check-ups, prescription refills, and referrals provided by MedStreet. • DISTRIBUTING MORE THAN $50,000 WORTH OF CLOTHING, including shirts, pants, coats, gloves, hats, and thermals. • PROVIDING AMENITIES THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED such as access to showers, laundry, toiletries, mobile phone charging, computers, and mail service. 2. FOOD PANTRY THAT SERVES MORE THAN 750 FAMILIES PER YEAR Through the Food Pantry, the McKenna Center provides a dignified shopping experience to DC households who qualify for public benefits and/or DC's Emergency Food Assistance Program. Many of our Food Pantry patrons have disabilities that require the use of wheelchairs and canes, chronic health conditions and serious illnesses such as cancer, and children whose brain development and future health outcomes depend on a healthy diet now. While many area food pantries offer fresh produce, very few provide eggs, milk, juice, meat, and bread as we do. Instead of pre-packaging grocery bags, guests can select the items that meet the needs in an atmosphere that resembles a grocery store. The McKenna Center also distributes more than 300 turkeys and fixings at Thanksgiving and hams at Christmas to low-income seniors. The Food Pantry is open four days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday). 3. HYPOTHERMIA TRANSITION PROGRAM FOR UP TO 12 MEN The McKenna Center operates this program from November 1 through March 31 each year. The men are selected based on an assessment of their readiness to move out of homelessness through a job, permanent or temporary housing, and commitment to sobriety and mental health. The McKenna Center offers program participants a clean bed, a shower, case management, and breathing room to get their life in order in a predictable environment. Each night, the Gonzaga College High School Mothers Club serves the men a home-cooked meal and their families join the men for dinner which re-introduces them to family interactions. 4. MCKENNA’S LEGAL ADVOCATES THAT SERVES HUNDREDS ANNUALLY Volunteer attorneys provide Day Shelter Program guests and Food Pantry clients with free legal advice, referrals, and representation on issues such as child custody, child support, landlord/tenant, criminal record sealing, and Social Security Income (SSI) and Supplemental Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). They also draft wills and medical and financial powers of attorney. Given that many of our clients face mental and physical health challenges, it is very important for them to designate someone they trust to make decisions for them if needed rather than having someone appointed by the court after a lengthy and expensive proceeding. 5. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES MORE THAN 12,000 HOURS OF SERVICE Volunteer service equates to six additional staff members. Volunteers come from the Gonzaga Mother’s Club, current and former Gonzaga College High School students, area high schools and universities including Howard University, churches, and sign-ups through the Center’s website. Volunteers unpack, sort, and organize food and clothing donations; stock Food Pantry shelves; help prepare, serve, and clean-up after meals; pick up food donations; and assist with cleaning the Center. The McKenna Center will also welcome young people from colleges, schools, parishes, and other programs to participate in our Immersion Program where volunteers live at the McKenna Center for a week and eat meals with our guests and other volunteers.