Latest News
12-13-11
The Mission with a Heart in the Heart of the City: How the Mission Can Save Your Life
Rob Taylor, Sr. Warden, St. Brendan’s in the City
In 2006, the DC Government determined that a shelter for the homeless was the best use for the historic Gales School at 65 Massachusetts Ave., NW. The city was concerned about not only renovating the decrepit structure but also providing services for the community. After failing to sell the facility, the District requested proposals for a long term lease.
Out of three applicants, the proposal submitted by Central Union Mission (where St. Brendan’s in the City worships) was selected. Following a lengthy lease negotiation, this July, the District Council agreed to release the property from government use and to allow the Mission to lease it for 40 years with a subsequent 25-year extension available.
Our neighborhood on R Street has been revitalized, which forces our potential guests into far-off communities without easy transportation. The Mission has been praying for many years to return to the very heart of the city where homeless people congregate, and this is God's answer.
A huge task lies ahead: we must restore the historic structure and convert modest classrooms into a large dining/meeting room, remodel an attic and basement into useful space and add 5,000 square feet for a kitchen and pantry. We will provide sleeping and bathroom areas for over 150 men per night and house our offices, classrooms and counseling areas for all our expanded men's ministry activities. Our service plans include:
- Spiritual Transformation and other long-term men's programs
- Temporary and transitional housing
- Medical, dental and legal services
- Drug counseling and treatment
- Job, life skills and computer training
- Educational, literacy and GED training
- Dining and meeting facilities
- Daytime activities to draw men to the facility
Our planning, architectural and engineering work are progressing well and we will select a general contractor this spring. The construction is scheduled for completion by June 2013. However, the Mission is scheduled to turn over our R Street facility to our buyer by October 2012. So our first big prayer request is for a solution to our temporary location challenge.
This God-given project seems overwhelming in scope, but we know that He will guide us in building the best possible home to help His people in need. Please pray for wisdom for our architects and planners, and pray that God will provide the contractors we need for the construction phase. Pray also that the Mission would bless our new community, making friends with our new neighbors.
We also need financial support to get the job done. The sale of 1350 R Street will provide over half of the funds for the new facility, but we’re trusting God’s blessing through donors, foundations and other sources to provide the final five million dollars.
In 2006, the DC Government determined that a shelter for the homeless was the best use for the historic Gales School at 65 Massachusetts Ave., NW. The city was concerned about not only renovating the decrepit structure but also providing services for the community. After failing to sell the facility, the District requested proposals for a long term lease. Out of three applicants, the proposal submitted by Central Union Mission (where St. Brendan’s in the City worships) was selected. Following a lengthy lease negotiation, this July, the District Council agreed to release the property from government use and to allow the Mission to lease it for 40 years with a subsequent 25-year extension available.
Our neighborhood on R Street has been revitalized, which forces our potential guests into far-off communities without easy transportation. The Mission has been praying for many years to return to the very heart of the city where homeless people congregate, and this is God's answer.
A huge task lies ahead: we must restore the historic structure and convert modest classrooms into a large dining/meeting room, remodel an attic and basement into useful space and add 5,000 square feet for a kitchen and pantry. We will provide sleeping and bathroom areas for over 150 men per night and house our offices, classrooms and counseling areas for all our expanded men's ministry activities. Our service plans include:
- Spiritual Transformation and other long-term men's programs
- Temporary and transitional housing
- Medical, dental and legal services
- Drug counseling and treatment
- Job, life skills and computer training
- Educational, literacy and GED training
- Dining and meeting facilities
- Daytime activities to draw men to the facility
Our planning, architectural and engineering work are progressing well and we will select a general contractor this spring. The construction is scheduled for completion by June 2013. However, the Mission is scheduled to turn over our R Street facility to our buyer by October 2012. So our first big prayer request is for a solution to our temporary location challenge.
This God-given project seems overwhelming in scope, but we know that He will guide us in building the best possible home to help His people in need. Please pray for wisdom for our architects and planners, and pray that God will provide the contractors we need for the construction phase. Pray also that the Mission would bless our new community, making friends with our new neighbors.
We also need financial support to get the job done. The sale of 1350 R Street will provide over half of the funds for the new facility, but we’re trusting God’s blessing through donors, foundations and other sources to provide the final five million dollars.