Mission NOVA
Mission NOVA
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- Mission NOVA
New Ministry Center Opens to Expand Services to Those in Need
Central Union Mission, one of the largest, non-profit, faith-based social service agencies in Washington, D.C., announced the launch of their Ministry Center in South Arlington to serve the needs of the diverse community that lives in the area, including the:
- 125 different people groups who speak 100 languages in our schools
- 18,000 people who are food insecure, meaning they do not know where their next meal will come from
- 38.5 percent of people are rent-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing
Called Mission: NOVA, the Center will provide a range of services to meet the needs of the county’s diverse population, including food, clothing, addiction recovery support, computer training, educational programs, job training/placement, legal aid, ESL classes, life skills, parenting classes, after school programs, and more.
Arlington Bridge Builders is partnering with Central Union Mission to jointly deliver services at the Center, including care coordination, rental assistance, citizenship classes, and an after-school program for children.
- Arlington Bridge Builders will continue to operate its separate food distribution three days a week on South Carlin Springs Road, which serves 1,400 people every month and is the largest Gospel sharing food program in Arlington.
- Because we seek to build bridges between a loving and compassionate God and people who are in need, all our programs seek to share the love of God for his people, the hope we have in following Jesus, and how the serving of others is a primary calling. Our goal is to offer all services in both English and Spanish.
The following statement can be attributed to Joel White, Chair of the Board of Arlington Bridge Builders:
“It is difficult for many to live, work, and thrive in Arlington. Costs, poverty and needs are up, while resources and hope are dwindling for many. Mission: NOVA will inject new resources and hope by serving as a hub of support through coordinated services to ensure every person can thrive in our awesome community.
We are so thankful to Central Union Mission to bring their expertise and resources to help the more than 100 people groups in our area live life to their full potential. By empowering people and supporting them where and when they need help, we can and will build unity and community.”
About ABB: Arlington Bridge Builders is a 501(c)(3) faith-based non-profit that seeks to build bridges between a loving, compassionate God and people in need. In partnership with several churches, the County Government, local businesses, and other non-profits, we serve 25,000 people every year through food, rent, and life skills classes. We have helped people start businesses and earn their citizenship.
About Central Union Mission: Central Union Mission, DC’s oldest private social service agency and a faith-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit, offers a comprehensive array of services to men, women and children in need from DC, Virginia and Maryland. Beyond offering over 60,000 bed-nights annually at its emergency shelter, the Mission’s shelter provides a full suite of transformational programs. Our Comprehensive Family Resource Center provides food and clothing to approximately 5,000 individuals monthly, as well as transformative wrap-around services. Our Mission: NOVA center in south Arlington provides critically needed social services, as well as food and clothing. All three facilities use a co-located service model providing onsite job training/placement, education, help with addictions, ESL classes, parenting classes, healthcare, assistance to veterans and senior citizens, legal aid, assistance with housing, spiritual discipleship and more. Additionally, the Mission operates a camp for underprivileged children and a 24-bed transition home. Our reputation is reflected in our four-star rating from Charity Navigator, Platinum Seal for financial transparency from Candid and Top-Rated from GreatNonProfits.
Joel C. White
Board Chair
Arlington Bridge Builders