DEAR MK COMMUNITY On August 23, 2011, I was having our first meeting with advisors to discuss a strategy of how Miriam’s Kitchen could end long-term homelessness in the Nation’s Capital. A low rumble pervaded the room and stopped the conversation. Moments later, we realized that it was an uncommon earthquake that, among other damage, cracked the Washington Monument and toppled the spires of the National Cathedral. Over the past decade, I have often thought back to that moment as an auspicious metaphor for the work Miriam’s Kitchen was to undertake in shaking up systems and creating stronger and better ones for those experiencing homelessness. Our society has built systems to maintain homelessness - not to end it. In executing the vision of ending chronic homelessness, we were trying to crack the systems that perpetuated homelessness by simply giving people the dignity and safety of housing without barriers. Those early years of executing this vision were full of conversations regarding the feasibility of ending chronic homelessness. We proved through both local and national studies that it was cheaper to house people experiencing years of homelessness in a home of their own than to continue to pay for the shelters and emergency services. We educated policymakers and supporters about the true causes of chronic homelessness by reminding them that this problem was created by racism, economic instability, and a weak social safety net. Additionally, we helped raise awareness regarding the need to seek economic justice on behalf of those who face long-term physical and mental health issues. I am beyond proud today to share that those conversations bore fruit as we now have a generational opportunity to end chronic homelessness in Washington, D.C. within the next two years. This is an opportunity to obtain justice for thousands of Washingtonians across the decades. Between 2021 and 2023, nearly 2,900 individuals experiencing homelessness will be housed. There were 1,260 individuals counted as experiencing long-term homelessness in D.C. in 2022, which is the lowest number since reporting started in 2005. This means that we can end chronic homelessness for everyone who is currently unhoused, and potentially for everyone who will come into homelessness during that time. Ending chronic homelessness is worthy of enormous celebration, particularly at a time when societal problems seem unsolvable. We need your ongoing help to get us through the finish line – to ensure that we have the staffing and other resources to connect individuals to housing and that those vouchers are appropriately leveraged. While our recent victories are cause for celebration, I want us to recognize that this fight has not ended. As such, we invite you – once again – to re-commit yourselves as our partners as we execute this next phase of our work. In service,
Scott B. Schenkelberg President & CEO Miriam's Kitchen
PAGE 01
MK FALL 2022 NEWSLETTER