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By Erik Alsgaard

According to published reports, nearly 7,000 people were listed as being homeless in Washington, D.C., in a 2012 survey. More than one in 10 – 12 percent – were veterans.

For the Rev. Helen Fleming, pastor of Douglas Memorial UMC in Washington, D.C., that was unacceptable. In 2010, Fleming asked the Urban Connection of Greater Washington to help serve those veterans who were homeless or in need of assistance.

“This came about because of a speaking engagement at Trinity University that was sponsored by the Woman Veterans Rock organization,” Fleming said. “They explained to me how many of the women veterans had been victims of rape and abuse. I was shocked and ask the question, ‘What are the churches doing to help the women veteran?’”

Fleming was led from there to start the Women Veterans Resource Center, now located at her church on 11th Street NE in the District.

“There are 12 churches involved,” she said, “and we offer services such as a career closet, food pantry, computer labs, referral services, prayer, hot meals, thrift store, counseling and holiday needs.” Hughes Memorial UMC and McKendree-Simms-Brookland UMC, both located in Washington, have been extremely involved in helping veterans, she added.

Recently, a group of 70 volunteers – all from Home Depot – helped out at the WVRC, doing painting, flooring, bathroom restoration and landscaping. How these volunteers arrived is part of Fleming’s story, too.

“Due to rallying people to help,” she explained, “I was asked to give a 10 minute presentation to First Lady Michele Obama and 1,800 veteran organizations throughout the country on a telephone conference call.”

In collaboration with the White House and other government and private veteran affairs offices, Douglas Memorial has hosted benefits conferences, job development sessions, social media, business etiquette, , job fairs and pastor’s orientations sessions, Fleming said. She and other pastors were also invited to a Chaplain’s Roundtable at the White House to enhance their work and outreach to veterans.

WVRC has been written up in the White House Blog, President Obama’s Veteran report book, I AM MODERN, and Washington Life Magazine. Because of that exposure – and her connections -- the White House referred the Home Depot to the WVCR for a restoration plan to help serve women veterans. 

Fleming said, “We are now in the middle of planning another collaborative effort with several veteran agencies to have a holiday celebration service with give-a-ways for the military families.” She is a recipient of the Women Veteran Rock Award for her dedication.