LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR OF WASHINGTON DC INC
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Mission Statement
As Little Sisters of the Poor of Washington, D.C., our mission is to offer the neediest elderly of every race and religion a home where they will be welcomed as Christ, cared for as family and accompanied with dignity until God calls them to himself. Seven Little Sisters of the Poor from France arrived in Washington, D.C., in 1871 just after the end of the Civil War. At this time the city’s population was rapidly expanding, public services slow to keep up with the needs of the poor and Federal assistance non-existent. The Sisters immediately set to caring for the city’s aged poor. Since then, the Sisters have cared for more than 15,000 aged poor Washingtonians. We happily accept into our home people of all faiths and nationalities. Our current 80 Residents have an average age of 84; and they reflect the DC's population by collectively hailing from between 11 and 19 different countries, and speaking twelve languages. It is in our rules that we take only the very poor into our homes. Beyond enriching activities, our the home provides loving care for Residents, essential medical, nursing, dental, and podiatry care, physical therapy, and pharmaceutical services. In addition, we provide 34,310 nights of safe-shelter and 120,000 meals each year. The meals provide balanced nutrition and enhance the health of our Residents, making the meals a very important part of the program. The residence operates 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
About This Cause
The Little Sisters of the Poor are an international congregation of Roman Catholic women religious founded in 1839 by Saint Jeanne Jugan. Together with a diverse network of collaborators, we serve the elderly poor in over 30 countries around the world. Seven Little Sisters of the Poor from France arrived in Washington, D.C., in 1871 just after the end of the Civil War. At this time the city’s population was rapidly expanding, public services slow to keep up with the needs of the poor and Federal assistance non-existent. Father Jacob Ambrose Walter, Pastor of St. Patrick’s Church, welcomed these Sisters to the city and they immediately set to caring for the city’s aged poor in a building provided for them on G Street. After only two years, they – now 11 Little Sisters – purchased a new property near the U.S. Capitol at 220 H Street, N.E., to accommodate the increasing number of those seeking care. There, at St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged, the Little Sisters welcomed and cared for Washington D.C.’s elderly poor persons for over 100 years until 1977 when roadway construction through the home’s premises necessitated its closure. The Little Sisters were very happy to return to Washington in 1982 and to a new home -- the Jeanne Jugan Residence – located at 4200 Harewood Road, N.E., Washington, D.C. Today, this residence provides 40 nursing care beds and 26 boarding care apartments. Each Resident has a private room, some with a sitting area. These rooms cluster around three fully staffed nursing stations, which are operational 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. While the first and second floors of the building are residential and nursing care units and dining rooms, the ground floor houses laundry, kitchen, auditorium, power plant and administrative offices. Additionally, St. Joseph’s Villa (constructed in 1997) offers 24 apartments for physically active low-income seniors who wish to maintain their independence, while enjoying the safety and amenities provided by the Jeanne Jugan Residence. Each apartment has a kitchen and the building contains a laundry room, a large lounge, and a storage area for each tenant. The Residents of St. Joseph’s Villa are able to enjoy all the activities offered in the main home, including meals, recreation and outings. As their ability to care for themselves declines, Residents can move to residential care or nursing units. Our Home provides a welcoming environment and a comforting atmosphere for Residents, sitting on a beautiful seven-acre wooded lot with landscaped gardens, across the street from Catholic University and just down the road from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Here in Washington, D.C., our Residents have had a front row seat to many important national events and welcomed notable visitors including Eleanor Roosevelt, President and Mrs. George W. Bush and Her Royal Highness Queen Mathilde of Belgium. Demographics of Residents – The Little Sisters of the Poor have cared for more than 15,000 aged poor Washingtonians since our arrival 148 years ago. Currently, we have 80 Residents with an average age of 84, though 26 Residents are over 90. Three of our Residents are over 100 years old. 17 Residents are male and 63 Residents are female. In addition, they reflect the Washington, D.C. population, hailing from between 11 - 19 different countries, including the U.S.A. Collectively they speak twelve languages in addition to English. We happily accept into our home people of all faiths and nationalities, and it is in our rules that we take only the very poor into our homes. Activities – The Little Sisters emphasize a holistic approach to the care of our Residents, considering that a variety of different causes and factors can change a person’s health and demeanor. For this reason, we monitor their health based on physical, spiritual, social, cultural, psychological and environmental factors. The care of each Resident is closely coordinated between nursing staff and doctors, social worker, activities director and dietary staff in an effort to ensure that each aspect of a Resident’s care is beneficial to their overall health and well-being. The Little Sisters and lay personnel create a compassionate environment in which our Residents have daily activities to entertain and enrich their lives. All activities are free, which enables our older Residents of very limited resources to participate and provides them with a community and social life to which they might not otherwise have access. We encourage our Residents to exercise and to participate in these activities – offered daily – everything from outings to museums, galleries, parks, and local areas of interest, to art and cooking classes. Often we receive donated tickets for our Residents to attend special events in the area, like ball games, plays and musicals. There are birthday and holiday celebrations throughout the year. Mass is celebrated daily in our beautiful chapel for those who wish to attend. We have a French Café for coffee and special events, garden areas for Residents to stroll, read and plant gardens they can tend, and a beauty parlor to keep everyone looking and feeling their best. Our beauty shop is available to all Residents it provides haircuts, hairstyling and manicures. We have two therapeutic Tea Cup Yorkshire Terriers – Silas and Paul. The use of therapeutic pets is a valued practice today in long-term care. As far back as World War II, the American Red Cross used dogs as therapeutic partners in convalescent care. These little canines continue to raise spirits whenever they go and especially on their visits to see the Residents. Beyond enriching activities, our the home provides loving care for Residents, essential medical, nursing, dental, and podiatry care, physical therapy, and pharmaceutical services. In addition, we provide 34,310 nights of safe-shelter and 120,000 meals each year. The meals provide balanced nutrition and enhance the health of our Residents, making the meals a very important part of the program. All activities and programs are integral parts of the mission of the Little Sisters of the Poor to care for the elderly poor and to offer comfort and hospitality. The residence operates 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.