Day by Day - Christ House
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VOLUME XXXVI, NO. 1 | WINTER 2021
Day by Day
Following Heartstrings Julia describes Christ House as
“what I needed when I needed
it.” She recalls struggling
A donor spotlight on Mark and Julia Roberts emotionally her senior year of
college after losing someone
close to her. When she told a
friend about the opportunity
available at Christ House, her
friend remarked, “Sounds like
there are some heartstrings
there.” At school, Julia had
focused on law enforcement and
criminal justice. The more she
was exposed to social work, the
more she felt called to work with
people at risk. She now works
as a federal probation officer
Julia (far left) and Mark ( 2nd from right) helping in the kitchen in 2001 helping individuals coming out
Mark first came to Christ the case managers and found it of incarceration. Occasionally
House as the Patient Activities very educational. He remembers, she’ll come across a case where
Coordinator in 1996. After “learning so much about the an individual has experienced real
completing a year of volunteer spectrum of care Christ House brokenness, reminding her of her
service, he joined our staff as the was providing” and feeling deeply time at Christ House and wishing
Coordinator of Volunteers. Julia involved in the efforts of holistic there were a similar organization
first heard of Christ House’s Year healing. He reflects on what he that she could connect individuals
Long Volunteer program from learned from working with our to where she now works.
a mentor. Once she graduated patients by saying, “We’re all Being at Christ House when the
from American University, she broken in our own ways. It’s easy program was only in its 15th
became Christ House’s Food to look at patients and see how year of operation had a lasting
Service Assistant where Mark and they’ve been broken – racism, impression on Julia. “It was
Julie’s paths crossed for the first addiction, medical problems, all still new – the founders all
time. Three years later, they were poverty…We are all broken, worked there and seeing that
married. though. Christ House is a place what they started is still going…
Mark and Julia recall their time at where we all come to grips with we want to keep it going. We
Christ House fondly, sharing that things. Patients heal bones, heal feel a direct connection to the
they met many of their lifelong emotions, and learn that they founders and their story.” Mark
friends through Christ House. are a valued member of this and Julia recounted their feelings
Mark worked closely with community.” of being cared for by
The mission of Christ House is to provide comprehensive and compassionate health
care to sick and homeless men from the District of Columbia, and to assist them in
addressing the critical issues to help them break the cycle of homelessness.
DAY BY DAY | WINTER 2021 PAGE 2
Continued Mark and Julia now live in both of us are” Mark shares,
the community and shared a Pennsylvania with their daughter. “We can’t give back what it has
They have been financial given to us. But we’re giving back
memory of current Executive
contributors to Christ House what we can.”
Director Mary Jordan comforting
for over 20 years and continue
other YLVs during a difficult time, to feel deeply connected to the
“Mary Jordan came over after – Support healing and hope when you
mission. During their time at give to Christ House.
she was there at 11pm to sit with Christ House, Mark and Julia not
them. She had two young kids at only played a role in the healing
home and had worked a full day process of our patients, but they Make a gift now by visiting:
but she took the time to make were also able to find each other. christhouse.networkforgood.com
sure we were all alright.” “Christ House helped shape who
COVID-19 Vaccines vaccine. “I didn’t feel a thing. No
bad reaction, I’m glad I took it.
I recommend everybody take
Christ House leadership works to grant access to the vaccine it,” one patient shared. For Mary
for eligible patients and staff Jordan, the most important
As of February, many staff Christ House is following the impact of receiving the vaccine
have received both doses of district’s protocol for vaccine is the ability to continue to treat
the Moderna vaccine, or are distribution. Connecting patients patients: “We are fortunate – it
scheduled to receive their second with vaccines has required a gives us a degree of protection
dose shortly. Over the past few high degree of patience and to keep working with patients
weeks, Christ House clinical coordination amongst shelters, coming through our doors.” In
staff has been meeting with Unity Health Care workers, looking ahead into 2021, she
patients individually to review and the DC Government. The shares, “I’m hopeful because
how the vaccine works and perseverance of the staff we’ve contained any outbreak,
most importantly, to answer any has already opened the door we’re effectively working to get
questions a patient might have for many patients and Kairos staff and patients immunized,
about the vaccine. “This way,” members to receive their we’re doing daily surveillance
says Mary Jordan, Executive vaccines. Christ House has also and weekly testing of patients
Director and Nurse Practitioner, extended patients’ stays when and Kairos members. We, as
“patients are prepared once the needed so that they are able to healthcare workers, all feel
vaccine is available to them.” receive the second dose of the more hopeful now that there’s a
vaccine available.”
People experiencing
homelessness are
particularly vulnerable to
COVID-19 when living in
congregate settings such
as shelters. Practicing
hygiene and accessing PPE
also present challenges to
this population, increasing
the risk of transmission.
Ensuring the homeless
population has access to
vaccines quickly can help A group of Christ House patients who have received their
reduce the spread of the
COVID-19 vaccines
DAY BY DAY | WINTER 2021 PAGE 3
A Note from Executive Chef Miri Jung
Supporting Christ House through Resource Stewardship
day of the year. Our four-member
During my time at Christ House, I carbohydrates -- Food that is just kitchen staff cooks most meals
have learned many things serving plain and simple, nutritious. from scratch for patients and
our patients and working with staff totaling to about fifty people
volunteers and donors. From the Another challenge I have come per meal. I want to acknowledge
start, I faced the challenge of across is a misunderstanding the incredible support of all
figuring out what our department of how Christ House our volunteers and donors, and
could do to better exemplify our operates, which I try to clearly share a tip of how you can best
mission of providing dignified communicate when I am able. We help our kitchen needs by using
care through holistic healing are first and foremost a medical Resource Stewardship. If you
from the inside out. My first facility which operates similarly want to donate an item that is
priority was to implement more to a hospital in regards to our not listed on our website, you
nutritious meals because this adherence to dietary guidelines. can call, email, or ask our front
helps heal our patients’ bodies. Due to these guidelines, we do desk if we have a need for that
This required changing our focus not function like a food pantry item. One of our volunteers
from microwavable and canned or a soup kitchen. We do not uses her pick-up truck to pick
foods to wholesome, fresh or distribute individual food items, up leftover food from local
frozen ingredients like fruits, but rather we feed our patients restaurants and grocery stores
vegetables, nuts, and whole grain three meals a day every single around DC. She contacts me via
text anytime she has food and
asks if we have a need for it. This
coordination helps us receive
exactly what ingredients we
need, in the right quantity, when
we need it. The coordination
between this volunteer and me
is a perfect example of Resource
Stewardship: the appropriate
allocation of resources.
One of the greatest joys of my
role as the Executive Chef is
being able to watch the change
that takes place when an
individual is provided with the
proper food their body needs to
heal. Witnessing a patient regain
their strength and personality
through consistent and nutritious
meals is one of the many
transformations your support
makes possible. If you would like
to consider donating food or
learning more about our current
needs, please feel free to reach
me at miri.jung@christhouse.org.
Thank you!
it's a neW day
DAY BY DAY | WINTER 2021 PAGE 4
These four men graduated from our New Day Addic-
tions Recovery Program, a 12-week class which identi-
To leave Christ House in your will is to leave behind
fies difficult a legacyexplains
emotions, of healing and hope. behav-
abuse-associated
Your contribution will help us to continue providingiors, and teaches healthy
compassionate habits.
and comprehensive care for the many
homeless men in DC in need of a place to recover.
Each graduate gets the chance to share a little bit about
his story during the ceremony. One exclaimed:
Although not a requirement by law, we appreciate being notified when Christ House is included in your will. If you
have any questions or comments, please contact: Lydia Olsen, Director of Development & Communications, at
I'm feeling better than I've
Lydia.Olsen@christhouse.org or (202) 328-1100.
ever felt in my life.
Introducing: Christ House’s
Ambassador ProgramJOin the ciRcle
Christ House is seeking individuals who are passionate about our
mission
Monthly ofgiving
providing
is onehealth
of thecarebest for men
ways experiencing
to support homelessness
our work. By
injoining
DC who ourwant to take
monthly theirprogram
giving support- the
oneCircle
step further. Christ
of Healers - you:House
Ambassadors spread healing and hope by offering their time and gifts
• Join a community
as fundraisers, volunteers,of donors who careof
and advocates deeply
Christabout sustaining
House patients.
the Christ
To learn House
more and mission
apply, visit: christhouse.org/christ-house-ambassador-program/
• Provide Christ House a steady, predictable source of income
For questions about the Ambassador Program, reach out to:
which makes long-term planning and budgeting easier
kira.venturini@christhouse.org
• Save postage, save time, and rest assured that your support
continues even when life gets busy
Set up your monthly gift at: www.christhouse.org/donate
#381215
UW #8385 l CFC #34256
#381215
CFC #34256 | UW #8385
Return
Return Service Requested
ServiceRequested
www.christhouse.org
www.ChristHouse.org
Washington,
Washington, DC 20009
DC20009
1717 Columbia Road, NW
1717 Columbia Road, NW
chRist hO use
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