Anderson Grant Makes A World of A Difference for Shirley's Place
Last winter, CHGM was thrilled to receive a generous grant from the Edward L. Anderson Foundation, in part, to make important repairs and improvements to our Shirley's Place Day Hospitality Center. This grant was particularly meaningful to us, as Shirley's Place is named after a member of the Anderson family, whose friends helped to fund and renovate Shirley's Place in her honor.

With Anderson foundation funds, we completed brick repointing to address water infiltration issues, repaired water damage to the kitchen and bathrooms, fixed the electrical wiring and recess lighting on the first floor, installed a larger water heater and plumbing to accommodate a second washing machine, completed interior and external painting, and replaced damaged bathroom fixtures.

Guests, volunteers, and staff alike are thrilled with the improvements. The larger water heater and plumbing upgrades have doubled the number of laundry loads clients can do each day and eliminated clients' experience of the hot water running out mid-shower. The brighter lighting, repainting, and other aesthetic improvements are also getting rave reviews. One guest commented, "One of the reasons why I continue to keep coming back is because you guys make things so nice for us... it feels like home."

We are so grateful to the Anderson family for their generosity, and are glad to be able to provide even better hospitality to our community members in need. 
Client Spotlight During September Community Night
CHGM's monthly Community Nights provide regular opportunities for community members to learn about various aspects of homelessness, and how they can take action. September's event will highlight the success of both a CHGM client and program.

Join us Tuesday, September 8th at 6:00pm at the Capitol Hill United Methodist Church (421 Seward Square SE) as we spotlight Angelia Eaton, a client in our Shelter Plus Care Permanent Supportive Housing Program. Ms. Eaton serves as co-facilitator of CHGM's Action Hour, a bi-weekly meeting where chronically homeless individuals come together to discuss their daily struggles and emerging concerns, and learn how to become better advocates for themselves and DC's homeless population.

Ms. Eaton's leadership in Action Hour has ignited in her a new passion for advocacy. Her path from homeless mother to homeless advocate and the progress of our Action Hour group is inspiring. Come hear her story first-hand, and celebrate her success with us.

RSVP appreciated, but not required.

CHGM Successfully Completes Another BackPack Drive

It's hard to believe that summer's end is drawing near! Capitol Hill Group Ministry was glad to conclude it's annual backpack successfully, and provide new school supplies to many children as they enter another school year.  Through the generosity of the community, we were able to provide almost 300 students and 117 families   with new backpacks stuffed with writing and art utensils,  binders, folders, composition notebooks, and other grade-appropriate supplies.  

We were gratified to see the joy on the faces of many of the recipients as their new backpacks were presented to them at a Family Night hosted by St. Mark's Episcopal Church , one of CHGM's most active congregational partners. The parent's were nearly as thrilled. With a typical backpack filled with supplies costing anywhere between thirty and fifty dollars, and some parents having several school-aged children, the backpack drive made a big difference for parents struggling to make ends meet. Thank you to all our generous donors on behalf of all the children and parents who benefited from your kindness. 
"Serving the Community, One Neighbor at a Time"