Partnership with First Congregational United Church of Christ (FCUCC)
for a Downtown Homeless Youth Drop-in Center

 

Since its opening in August 2016, the Drop-in Center at First Congregational United Church of Christ has become an indispensable part of the services offered to disconnected and homeless youth in DC. Church members, Sasha Bruce Youthwork staff, and volunteers offer life-affirming respite and support for homeless youth every Monday evening. In the short time since the center opened, more than 400 youth have received assistance (data as of January 2018).  Now more than ever, the Center is vital to serving at-risk youth, as the number of youth seeking UCC services has steadily increased in the last several months.

As a crucial partner of the Sasha Bruce Drop-in Center network, FCUCC offers a safe place to rest, shower, and receive education, mental health, and employment services. For long-term solutions, coming to the Drop-in Center is the beginning of a process aimed at stabilizing youth and reintegrating them into the community. In the past year, our Drop-in Center has connected more than 25 youth with transitional housing programs.

 

About UCC

First Congregational United Church of Christ (FCUCC): The FCUCC was founded in 1865 by abolitionists as the first racially integrated church in Washington, DC. In 1867 the mission committee of the church played an integral role in the founding of Howard University. Today, the FCUCC nurtures the spiritual development of DC residents of all ages through the unparalleled leadership of Rev. Audrey C. Price, Ph.D.

 

About our Sasha Bruce Youthwork

Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY): SBY makes an enormous difference in the lives of hundreds of young people with nowhere else to turn.  Founded four decades ago by current Executive Director Deborah Shore, SBY has evolved from an all-volunteer outreach program into a high-impact, multi-disciplinary agency.  The hallmark of our work is improving access to safe homes and providing positive experiences for young people in crisis. In the past two years, we have added an important piece to our continuum of care for youth: a network of Drop-in Centers providing direct services to homeless youth and guiding them to resources to allow them to exit life on the street.

 

 

 

www.sashabruce.org           www.firstuccdc.org