The Day Program is a structured, low barrier to entry program that welcomes over 100 guests into the Center each day to meet their immediate needs while providing case management and other support. The Program is designed to support men on their journey through homelessness, in keeping with our mission of Meeting Needs… Reclaiming Lives.

Men struggling with homelessness face a range of obstacles. The Father McKenna Center has a well-developed program of services and strategies to support our guests, balancing small goals with high expectations. The ultimate goal of our work is to help each man reach his full potential. Our approach is to meet each person where he is and support him as he works toward a life of stability, productivity, meaning, and hope.

In any week we have over 250 unique guests (in the course of a year more than 1,800 different men spend time at the Center). They range in age from early 20’s to over 80, and are of every race, color and creed, although the overwhelming majority are African American.

Reflecting the diverse impact of homelessness, some men are well educated, while others do not have a high school diploma. We see men suffering from mental illness, struggling with addiction, and isolated from their families. Some men are coming home from incarceration, others are new to the DC area. In each man we see a unique person, beloved of God, deserving of grace, and imbued with innate dignity.

We provide:
Structured case management, including counseling, an accountability program, and referrals for mental and physical health assessments.
A men’s support group meeting every day, attendance is a pre-requisite for Midday Meal at the Center. These facilitated sessions challenge and encourage, while building a strong peer network within a community where trust is rare.
Substantial breakfast and home-cooked hot lunch, served by volunteers and shared with love.
Showers and laundry service, supporting our guests in maintaining personal hygiene and the self-respect which that reflects and conveys.
Use of a phone and secure cell phone charging.
Mail distribution and use as a stable address, vital for engaging with government agencies and potential employers.
Coordination of transportation for medical and social service appointments, in conjunction with Case Management.
Computer access.
A clothing distribution service for both basics and work appropriate clothing.