Team HOPE

“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

Matthew 25:40

We are adult parishioners from all walks of life with different professional backgrounds and experiences. Volunteers at outreach activities are typically at least 14 years old.

We use three strategies to help reduce homelessness in Washington, DC: Direct Resources, Outreach, and Advocacy. This is a long-term approach and relies on collaboration and partnerships with other churches and service organizations to maximize resources.

We hold events to educate the parish about the causes and consequences of homelessness, and to advocate for local and national solutions.

One of our initiatives is “Walk in the Park,” a large-scale outreach event with 30–50 parishioners volunteering to cook and serve hot meals, distribute items, and extend fellowship to 150 or more of our homeless brothers and sisters. These events take place two–three times per year.

Another smaller-scale outreach event is “Feet on the Street.” Two Friday evenings a month, 4–12 parishioners meet to visit homeless individuals in various street locations in DC to provide food, blankets, fellowship, and prayer.

We also collaborate with the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN). Founded in 1996, WIN is a broad-based, multi-racial, multi-faith, strictly non-partisan, District-wide citizens’ power organization, rooted in local congregations and associations. WIN is committed to training and developing neighborhood leaders, to addressing

Team HOPE seeks to live the Gospel by assisting our brothers and sisters in and on the verge of homelessness by increasing economic opportunities, outreach, and linkages to immediate support, ongoing advocacy efforts, and education.

• “Feet on the Street” outreach two Fridays per month (8–10 pm)
• “Walk in the Park” outreach at a shelter or park two–three times a year
• Monthly Planning Committee meetings after 12:30 Mass (2:45–4:15 pm)
• Annual Breakfast for HOPE Fundraiser
• MLK Food Service at So Others Might Eat (SOME)

We seek volunteers (generally aged 14+) to join the Team HOPE Planning Committee and to help at any of our flagship outreach activities. No special expertise is needed, but we ask that potential volunteers RSVP via e-mail before participating.

The Planning Committee meets year-round about once a month, on Sundays from 2:30–4:00 pm at the Gingras Center (1419 V Street NW). Contact us for specific dates.

We accept donations of items to distribute at outreach activities, including blankets, socks, gloves, scarves, sweatpants, sweatshirts, and toiletries, for men and women.

We often need certified/licensed barbers at outreach activities, as well as medical or mental health professionals and counselors who can provide job training and legal advice.

Parishioners interested in social justice are also encouraged to join WIN.

E-mail us: staugustineteamhope@gmail.com
Marsha Lyons