Community for Creative Non-Violence

• Volunteer staff members undergo 40 hours of training in basic supervisory skills training, conflict resolution, case management, substance abuse, assistance physically, mentally, and emotionally impaired residents, etc.
  
• Many dignitaries from around the world have visited CCNV to learn about the shelter.
  
• Thousands of volunteers, from all over the United States, as well as countries throughout the world, including England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Bulgaria, Poland, Holland, Japan, Denmark, and Switzerland, have worked at CCNV.

... What the Director says:
" I am thankful that God has given me both the time and opportunity to serve. I am thankful that CCNV has allowed me to serve with the homeless here. I am thankful that the residents have been receptive to the efforts put forth on their behalf and have supported me in the struggles that this organization has faced in 1997. I am thankful that God is always good!"

The Back to Basics bus comes to CCNV weekly to take residents to a local church.

-- Terri Bishop, Executive Director

"I am thankful for CCNV because I was out there with no money and no place to stay and CCNV took me in and helped. When you have a place to stay, You have one less problem to worry about. I'm very thankful!" -- Rufus Monroe

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"I'm thankful to CCNV because I was on the streets with no where to go so I came here to live. Now I can help myself. Now I have the opportunity to work my self out of the shelter. I am working and saving my money to fine me a place to stay. Right now, I am a monitor on my floor and I am trying to help others like myself." -- Rudolph Pena

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Volunteers at DC Central Kitchen prepare donated food.

"I came to CCNV because I was a drug and alcohol user and it caused me to become homeless. CCNV helped me to have some clean time, find a job and a place of my own." -- Dizzy Rosales

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"I came to CCNV after relocating from Florida and becoming homeless. I met a friend who brought me to CCNV so I could find some help. CCNV gave me clothing, food, medication, and eyeglasses. I have become a member of Mt. St. Baptist and have begun to come to my senses. Without CCNV, I would not have received any of the help that I received - good help!" -- John H. Thurman

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"I came to CCNV because I didn't have any place else to go and I didn't have any money. CCNV gave me a place to stay and a lot of help." -- Larry W. Sanders

Volunteers Michael Pettiford and Kendrick Taylor.

• Karen Wort, Secretary
  
• Wanda Fergusson and Florence Copeland,
  Women's Floor Co-directors
  
• George Woods,
  Director, Security
  
• Spright Lamar,
  Director, Intake Floor
  
• Anthony Martinez, Director, Infirmary
  
• Lindsay Irvine and Donald Page, Co-Directors, Arts & Education
  
• George Woods, Religious Liaison
  
• Peter Garvin, Partner, Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue
  
• Stephanie Soper, Council on Education
  
• Michael Scay, Partner, WC & AN Miller's Real Estate
  
• Timothy Millet, US Senate Personnel
  
• Morris Britt, Washington Court Hotel
  
• Tony Norman, Private Realtor
  
• Eileen Reed, Unity Health Care

On July 1, 1995, after checking several shelters looking for a bed and being told that they didn't house persons in wheelchairs, God must have been looking down on Robert. Robert had cashed his social security check earlier that morning and was about to give up on finding a place to stay. He had resolved in his mind to go back to doing what had become a way of life for him for the past thirty years (drugs). However, as he was about to leave the Gospel Mission, one of the residents hear him talking to the person in charge about where he could go for shelter that was wheelchair accessible and asked him if he had tried CCNV. He indicated that CCNV had a ramp for wheelchairs. Since Robert was only a few blocks from CCNV, he decided to come to CCNV and see if he could get some help for his problems (both mentally and physically).

When Robert arrived, he took the ramp into the building and was told to go through the double doors to his right to 1-South (the Handicapped and Elderly Men floor). A desk monitor filled out the intake papers and informed Robert about the rules and regulations, assigned him a bed, gave his a tour of the floor, and issued him a clothing slip. (The only clothing Robert had were those on his back.)

The next day, Robert met the person that helped him make one of the most crucial decisions of his life. Robert needed guidance so he went to the Team Leader's office and met Fred Henry. Mr. Henry said that he was quite busy but could give him a few minutes. These few minutes turned into over an hour. It was during this hour that Robert told Mr. Henry his whole story: his involvement in drugs and alcohol and how he became homeless. Mr. Henry told Robert that he should start attending AA/NA meetings, put his name on the housing list, open a saving account and save as much money as he could for his departure.

After about two weeks of doing the things that Mr. Henry had recommended, Robert found that he still had too much time on his hands. Robert then asked to help out on the monitor's desk. His help on the desk led to his becoming a monitor and shortly thereafter to becoming a CCNV Staff Member. Becoming a Staff Member, gave Robert the incentive to return to school at age 54. On January 9, 2000, Robert received his PC Specialist Level 1 Diploma.

In December 2000, Robert moved out of the shelter into his own apartment. Because Robert was thankful for all the help he received from CCNV, he has returned to CCNV as a volunteer on the same floor where he once resided. He is now a Case Management Aide working to help others get a second chance at life.

The accessibility of CCNV to services and service providers has permitted literally thousands of homeless men and women over the years to the access needed to move back into the community as productive citizens. This has also helped CCNV to evolve from just a shelter to a shelter with access to comprehensive services based on the philosophy of helping people to help themselves.

Transportation: Two Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
(Metro) stations are located within three blocks of the
facility; Metro bus stops on North side of the facility;
Amtrak Station located in Union Station three blocks
from facility;

Community Services: Community services organizations (SSA, VA, DHS,
Whitman-Walker, DOES, Legal Aid, Refugee/Immigration,
APRA, etc.);

Recreation Programs: Recreational parks; national tourist attractions; museums;
movie theaters, shops, church-facilitated bingo games;
on-site library with poetry workshops and chess matches;
Library of Congress within walking distance; and public
libraries accessible by Metro.

Banking & Shopping: Grocery stores, drug stores, post office, convenience stores,
and shopping malls within walking distance of CCNV;

Employment: Federal and District government agencies, MCI center; and
an array of business establishments offering temporary and
full-time employment are within walking distance;

Emergency Services: Police Department, Fire Department, ambulance services,
hospitals, VA Medical Center reachable within 10
minutes;

Court Services: District court system within walking distance for ex-
offenders (probation/parole), and residents with active court cases.

Volunteers/Schools: Variety of volunteer opportunities available on-site
including tutoring, mentoring, outreach, maintenance,
floor monitoring; secondary schools accessible by Metro,
including Howard University, University of the District
of Columbia, Catholic University, American University,
and Georgetown University.

Community for Creative Non-Violence
425 Second St. NW Washington, DC 20001
Phone (202) 393-1909 or 4409 Fax: (202) 783-3254