Sign up for new CHGM Volunteer Opportunities!

CHGM is excited to launch two new volunteer opportunities in June. We hope to see you at our upcoming trainings!
 
Shirley's Place Guest Services Volunteer Program, 6/8, 6pm (1338 G Street SE): Support Shirley's Place Day Center's through both client services and administrative support. Volunteers will be trained on the facility's general operations and clientele, and will then be ready to serve on the Shirley's Place team. RSVP.

Homeless Assistance Response Team (HART), 6/9, 6pm (421 Seward Sq SE):  Support our Street Outreach efforts, and deploy on weekday evenings to support our unsheltered neighbors in Ward 6. HART volunteers will be trained with tools for effectively engaging with our homeless neighbors, and provide resources to help them get through hot summer nights on the streets.  RSVP.
CHGM Participates in The Way Home Campaign's Advocacy Day

On Thursday, May 7th, Capitol Hill Group Ministry participated in The Way Home Campaign's Advocacy Day. Over 120 members of the community gathered at the Wilson Building to ask members of the DC council to support the campaign to end DC Homelessness by 2017. 

 

Participants were split into different groups, each to visit with their specific city council member or their staff. The groups presented vital statistics about the state of homelessness in DC, emphasizing the steep ethical and financial costs of homelessness. Some advocates also shared personal stories of their own experiences with homelessness. We all expressed our deep conviction that ending chronic homelessness in DC is a top priority for DC voters, less costly than our current state, and--most importantly--absolutely possible. 

 

At the close of the day, participants reported back on their meetings. Many shared hopeful feedback that ending homelessness is a top priority for the council members and staff with whom they met. 

 

Email advocate@chgm.net if you would like to join our Advocacy List serve in order to receive information about future advocacy opportunities.

CHGM Community Night Highlights Youth Homelessness

CHGM's May Community Night focused on how youth in our area are impacted by homelessness. The first part of the evening showcased projects created by the Capitol Hill Day School's middle school class, who spent this past semester learning about the impact of homelessness in DC through work with CHGM. They used what they learned to emphasize how important it is to acknowledge our homeless neighbors, instead of perpetuating their invisibility.

 

Sasha Bruce Youthwork presented for the second half of the evening. Sasha Bruce is a DC-based non-profit that works directly with students and youth who are experiencing homelessness, or come from unsafe homes. Their programs help youth create safe communities for themselves. 

 

The evening's discussion elucidated the particular challenges of homeless youth and demonstrated the importance of ensuring that strategies to end homelessness account for needs of people of all ages, and their diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Volunteers Wrap up another Successful Tax Clinic

CHGM's 42nd Annual Free Tax Clinic was held every Thursday evening from mid-February through Tax Day in April. Volunteers, Mike Ambrose, Rick Halberstein, Martha Huizenga, and Christine Hoffman served approximately 43 people with their taxes this year.

 

With most clients needing to file federal and one or more local returns, our dedicated volunteers prepared close to 100 returns, half of which were filed electronically. Despite the drastic change in how taxes are filed since the tax clinic's conception, our volunteers continue to ensure effective tax preparations for all of our community members in need.

 

We are so grateful to our dedicated volunteers for their service to the Capitol Hill Community, and to the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church Church for hosting the clinic in its space. We can only imagine the vast amount of frustration and anxiety you prevent clinic participants from having to experience each year.  Thank you!
"Serving the Community, One Neighbor at a Time"