Top 20: Walgreens, 7-Eleven Not Welcome, Babysitter Indicted, Affordable Housing, DNA in Crimes and a Long, Happy Marriage

Top news of the week from our Patches around Virginia and DC.

Patch has 31 community sites in Virginia and D.C. Here are some of the top stories from around the region over the past week. 20. Affordable housing continues to be a major topic of discussion in Alexandria. The Virginia Department of Transportation sold Hunting Point, two eight-story apartment buildings, to a realty firm. Alexandria's City Council had asked that any purchaser not turn the buildings into luxury apartments that could displace its current tenants who require more affordable housing. That message was passed on to the new buyers, according to VDOT, but was not a condition of the sale. 19. On the west side of Alexandria, the City Planning Commission gave the go-ahead to major rezoning in the Beauregard area that will tear down …

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James

4:44 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013

I remember that 7/11 on Crestview got robbed pretty recently.   more ›

Homelessness 2.0: Technology a 'Lifeline' for Those Living on the Street

Shelters and other organizations that assist the homeless have taken notice of the increasing importance of providing access to technology for men and women who are homeless.

Technology is no longer a luxury item, but a necessity for job searching, staying connected and living — particularly for those living on the streets. To Gerald Davis, a homeless man who hopes to get his own apartment, the disability insurance dollars he spends on a $50-a-month flip phone allows him to talk with his daughter and helps him stay in contact with the Arlington County Department of Human Services. “I’m not crazy about the telephone, but it’s a necessary evil,” said Davis, who has been staying at the Arlington County Emergency Winter Shelter. “If (friends) happen to come up with a job lead for me, they’ll let me know.” To men and women living on the streets, access to a computer or phone can be the key factor in gaining a job or…

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Floating Winter Shelter Brings Georgetowners and Homeless Together

The Georgetown Ministry Center's floating winter shelter moves every 3 weeks to provide the homeless with meals and warmth during the winter season.

A group of Georgetown young professionals will spend their Saturday night making dinner and dining with the homeless. “We pass the homeless on the street every day,” Katie Novaria, a member of Georgetown Presbyterian Church (GPC). “But we rarely get the chance to hear about their lives or have a conversation with them.” Gunther Stern, executive director of Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC), with various Georgetown clergy members and residents, developed the idea of a November to March shelter. It is open from 7p.m. to 7a.m. and provides dinner, beds, breakfast and conversation. Nearly 10 years later, the program still continues to provide shelter for some of Georgetown’s homeless population. Check out this video of Stern and Grace Church's …

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Shaun Courtney

2:13 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013

haha I can see where the headline might lead you to believe that. And BOY would that be a story! (if anyone knows about such a barge, please let me know...). Thanks for sharing your experience. -Shaun   more ›

Georgetown Ministry Center is Looking for Winter Support

Georgetown Ministry Center is in need of religious congregations to house the homeless this winter.

Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC) will be opening its winter housing program for the homeless in November, but GMC Executive Director Gunther Stern says he is “struggling” to find churches to house the homeless during the winter this year. “It’s an opportunity to give back,” said Roy Witherspoon, GMS Outreach and Case Manager. He asked Georgetown area churches to contact GMC if they are willing to host the shelter for a week or two during the winter. The center at 1041 Wisconsin Ave., NW operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. everyday and offers 30-50 homeless a shower and a sandwich for lunch each day. Guests can also speak with a consulting psychiatrist. From November to March GMC organizes winter housing for 10 homeless people in buildings of …

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Homelessness Drops Slightly Throughout Metro Area

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments released its annual report on the homeless population.

Although the number of homeless men and women throughout the whole metro region dipped slightly since 2011, the percentage of homelessness inside the District is up 6 percent.  The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments released its annual report on the homeless population Wednesday. Homelessness is down .4 percent throughout Washington, Northern Virginia and Montgomery, Prince George's and Frederick counties in Maryland. In 2011, the council counted 11,879 homeless men and woman in the region. This year, that number dropped to 11,830. The picture is much different inside city limits, though. In 2011, the council counted 6,546 homeless men and women in D.C. One year later, the population has jumped to 6,954 - a difference of more …

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Urban Parenting

Gleaning for Gratitude

Spending time helping others

"I am NOT wearing those jeggings!" shouted Claire on a recent school morning. "But you picked them out last night." I tried to remind her of our plan in picking an outfit out ahead of time. "I don't care! I HATE them now!" "How about a skirt, a dress, maybe some jeans?" I hoped she would take the bait and just decide on something. "NO!!!" "Well, what are you going to wear? We have to get to school. You need to get dressed." "I don't know. I don't like anything I have. I hardly have any clothes." "No clothes? That's why we JUST went out and bought you a whole bag full at Old Navy." I reminded her. "Well, I'm not getting dressed. I'll wear pajamas to school. Actually, I don't want to go to school. I'm not going!!!" We've had a bit of a …

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DC Region Homeless Population Increased in 2011, Georgetown Non-profit Assisted in Count

The homeless population of the D.C. area increased by two percent in 2011.

The homeless population of the D.C. region now stands at 11,988, up two percent from the previous year. The number of homeless families across the region increased by six percent. Though there was a negligible increase in the number of homeless in D.C. proper, the total for the District is higher than any other juridiction in region. On a frigid night just after a heavy snow in January, volunteers, including a team from the Georgetown Ministry Center, spread out across the city searching alleys, doorways, under bridges, behind buildings and interviewing the street-bound homeless. From 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. the group assisted in the Point in Time Enumeration that takes place nationwide to help understand the size and demographics of the country…

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Georgetown Ministry Center Counts Local Homeless

As part of an area-wide enumeration, staff from the Georgetown Ministry Center braved the cold and snow to count the District's homeless.

In the frigid weather Thursday night after the previous night's heavy snow, staff and volunteers from the Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC) joined some 200 volunteers in an effort to make sure the homeless population in the District was counted. From 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. the group spread out across the city searching alleys, doorways, under bridges, behind buildings and interviewing the street-bound homeless. Thursday's count was part of the Point in Time Enumeration that takes place nationwide to help understand the size and demographics of the country’s homeless population. The count assists policy makers and aid groups in determining what resources are needed most and where. The survey is taken for the US Department of Housing and Urban …

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10 Best Places to Volunteer Nearby

Give back to the people and places who make Georgetown so great.

The holidays are filled with stories of giving back to those in need. There are lots of great opportunities in December to donate toys and meals, but need knows no season. Here are ten great ways to volunteer in Georgetown and nearby throughout the year. 1. Georgetown University Hospital Georgetown's local hospital has lots of volunteer opportunities to choose frm based on your skills (or lack thereof). Be part of the Wayfinding Program and guide people through the hospital or use your creative and musical skills to contribute to the Arts Humanities program.  2. Georgetown Ministry Center With the Ministry Center you can work in the office, make sandwiches for its clients, help with a shelter dinner, or stay overnight and socialize with …

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Shaun Courtney

1:25 pm on Thursday, December 9, 2010

Joan, thanks for the comment! Once you start accepting volunteers, make sure to post an announcement on our site. Click on the "Volunteer" tab and post away!   more ›

Beyond Thanksgiving

Georgetown homeless shelter sets the table from November to March

Thanksgiving affords people time to consider the good in life. It is a time of gratitude, commonly influencing people to distribute that good unto those less fortunate. Christ Church in Georgetown extends beyond the holiday season by offering fresh, home-cooked meals to homeless individuals during their Winter shelter. In the banquet hall-sized room on the second floor of the church, located at 3116 O St. NW, a long table is set with linens, lit candles and real china. From November thru March, 10 homeless people from the Georgetown area are able to set their belongings down on the small beds lined against the walls of the room and join each other and the nightly volunteers in a communal meal. On the menu on Monday evening was vegetarian …

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