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BY BARBARA COWARD
UMCONNECTION CORRESPONDENT

While it houses the most powerful government in the free world, Washington, D.C., is also home to more than 15,000 homeless people.

This homeless figure is overwhelming to many. But the discipleship of St. Luke?s UMC in the district has led them to serve like Christ by making a difference one person at a time.

Since its opening on Christmas Day 1991, St. Luke?s UMC in the Glover Park section of Washington, has been connecting with the homeless as they provide shelter 365 days a year for homeless men in the area.

'We are outwardly focused on mission and ministry,' said Shalom Mulkey, director of administration and programs for St. Luke?s UMC. 'We have a commitment to biblical justice. We believe in mission in action and spirituality in action.'

In order to create a family environment, the transitional shelter provides help for six men at a time who stay for four to six months.

'The reason it has been a success is because we have been intentionally small so we can give individual attention,' said Mulkey.

In order to provide a level of comprehensive support for the men who are rebuilding their lives, the shelter collaborates with the community.

'Area agencies give referrals and provide intensive case management services,' said Mulkey. 'We provide nighttime support from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. The partnership is focused on being collaborative to provide a comprehensive service.'

One of the innovative programs at the shelter is a culinary arts training program so the men can learn how to cook for others. Launched in 2004, the training program teaches basic culinary skills and preparing for certification in safe food handling. To date, 10 students have graduated to find better jobs within and outside the culinary industry.

During a brief suspension of the kitchen program, the shelter is focusing on programs in life skills, grief and loss, and self esteem. An 'out of poverty' curriculum helps residents reach their personal goals. These

programs are all critical components of the shelter.

Heartbreaking stories arrive at the church?s doorstep, but the shelter brings hope. One man had been living on streets and under a bridge for 20 years when he came to them, said Mulkey. It was the first time he had been inside a shelter, but within six months he built up trust and was ready to live in his own place, she said.

'We hope to be their pivotal step to permanent housing,' Mulkey said.

In the past 14 years, St. Luke?s Shelter has helped more than 350 men reclaim and rebuild their lives, and one of the key steps in getting there is help-ing the men find employment. Getting jobs is a big priority, Mulkey said.

'What is really exciting is that we have seen the wonderful impact of their success,' she said. 'In the last month, five of the six men have gotten jobs and are working - as a veterinary assistant, a mailroom worker in a communications firm, as well as doing custodial work and temp work.'

Also heartwarming are the examples of men who want to give back to the shelter, showing that helping just one individual among thousands facing the same situation can have an even greater impact.

'A gentleman who moved out in January called me yesterday saying he started to look at all the stuff he had, like lamps, and said he didn?t need it, the shelter does,' said Mulkey. 'He said he wanted to give back to the shelter that rescued him and gave him stability and security to be on his own.'

There will be a housewarming and tour at the shelter on Saturday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a lunch from Rocklands Barbecue and an interfaith house blessing service.

MAKE THE CONNECTION
The shelter welcomes contributions of any amount as well as donations of food and household goods. Volunteers are needed to provide hot dinners and to teach residents life skills such as how to budget personal expenses or how to perform in a job interview.

For more information, contact Mulkey at (202) 333-4949 or visit www.stlukesshelter.org.