Central Union Mission (Central Union Mission, DC)

Central Union Mission is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the oldest private social service agency in Washington, DC. In addition to its emergency shelter, which provides over 62,000 bed-nights each year, the Mission operates a holistic, Christ-centered transformation and workforce development program for men, provides benefits for veterans, helps people overcome addictions, operates a food and clothing distribution center, which provides food for over 4000 people each month, runs a camp for underprivileged children, and offers a ministry to families and senior citizens.

The Mission is continually developing its programs to meet the changing needs of the community. Its programs serve homeless men, underprivileged women, children, seniors, families and veterans.

One life at a time, the Mission works to help transform the area’s toughest rehabilitation cases—including drug addicts, gang members, criminal offenders and the chronically homeless—into productive members of society. The Mission’s programs have an extremely high success rate at helping individuals overcome addiction and homelessness and achieving independent living.

Central Union Mission serves hurting people throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area. We serve homeless men, families living in poverty, children from at-risk neighborhoods and the growing Hispanic population in the city.

Gospel Rescue Ministries (GRM) at 810 5th St., Washington, DC, 2600 12th Street NE, Washington, DC, and 512 I Street NW, Washington, DC, is no longer in operation; it closed and its programs ended in 2014.Central Union Mission is carrying on some of GRM’s work including: Men’s homeless shelter https://www.missiondc.org/need-help/
Ready To Work employment program https://missiondc.org/what-we-do/mens-ministry/workforce/
Drug rehab and mental health services https://www.missiondc.org/what-we-do/mens-ministry/
Food, clothing and housewares https://www.missiondc.org/what-we-do/family-programs/
Lambert House – five apartment units for occupancy by low-income families.
GRM’s funeral flowers program, women’s shelter, bi-polar clinic and senior assisted living home are no longer operational.

Camp Bennet

Located on 220 scenic acres in beautiful Brookeville, Maryland, Camp Bennett serves as a residential summer camp for financially underprivileged children from all over the Washington, DC, area. Every...
  • 20501 Georgia Avenue Brookville MD 20833
Service Category: Care
Service Eligibility: Youth (6-12)

Extended Support Program

Extended Support Program participants struggle with mental illness, cognitive impairment and/or physical impairment and are without family or other caretakers. Individuals are deemed eligible based on...
Service Category: Work
Service Eligibility: Homeless Men/Boys

Food Assistance

Families and individuals rely on the Mission’s food assistance program in emergencies and as a steady source of food. In partnership with individuals, corporations and churches, the Mission distrib...
Required Document: Photo ID,Proof of Address
Service Category: Food

Legal assistance

Information about legal aid services can be accessed at the Emergency Shelter, the Family Ministry Center and the Comprehensive Family Resource Center.
Service Category: Legal Advocacy & Legal Aid

Medical Services - Central Union Mission

Staying healthy is hard when you are living on the streets, and keeping your teeth clean is nearly impossible. After coming through our doors, homeless people learn that the Mission offers free medic...
Service Eligibility: Health Conditions

Operation Backpack

Remember going back to school as a child with all your new supplies & backpack, maybe even your Trapper Keeper! That excitement is what children all over Washington D.C. will be experiencing in just a...
Service Category: Goods
Service Eligibility: Families

Operation Christmas Miracle

The Christmas season is upon us and the children in the DC metropolitan area need to know they are not forgotten. Help children and families who are struggling financially experience love, laughter, a...
Service Category: Goods
Service Eligibility: Families

Partnership Program

Veterans Substance Abuse and Recovery Program (SARP) The Mission partners with the Veterans Substance Abuse and Recovery Program (SARP) to provide temporary housing for up to six veterans in the VA tr...
Service Category: Food
Service Eligibility: Health Conditions Homeless Men/Boys

Ready2Cook

Ready2Cook offers two options for culinary-minded students: Mission Muffins Mission Muffins is a bakery run by homeless employees, who bake, market, sell and deliver delicious baked goods. Employees...
Service Category: Work
Service Eligibility: Homeless Men/Boys
Camp Bennett Retreat and Conference Center
20501 Georgia Avenue Brookville MD 20833

Family Ministry Center

Central Union Emergency Shelter

Administrative Office
6811 Kenilworth Avenue Riverdale MD 20737
Lambert House
1733 T Street SE Washington DC 20001
Central Union Mailing Address
P.O. Box 96763 Washington DC 20090