2024 Annual Report
2024 was a year of fierce political division for the nation during the Presidential campaign. The campaign was also marked by violence as there was an assassination attempt on then Presidential candidate Donald Trump. The world continued to witness tragic conflicts, taking countless lives in Ukraine, the Middle East, and elsewhere.
In Washington, D.C. events were tumultuous as well. At the beginning of the year the professional sports teams – an economic anchor of downtown – announced their intent to move out of the city, but the deal for a new arena in Virginia fell through and the teams signed a new deal for a long term stay in downtown. Recovery from the pandemic continued, yet office vacancy rates remained high as efforts were underway to both get workers to return to offices and also convert empty office space to different uses such as for housing, education, and health care. Violence, particularly involving youth both as victims and perpetrators, remained a critical issue across the city. 190 lives were lost due to violence, of which 16 were only 18 years old or younger. The victims included 5 infants, as well as a 3 year old girl who was killed in a drive by shooting The good news however is that the number of homicides in the city fell by about 30% from the prior year to its lowest number since the start of the pandemic. Violent crime overall was down as well by about 35%.
It was in this context of political rancor and divide, a city still in recovery from the pandemic and grappling with how to best engage its youth, that the Downtown Cluster of Congregations and its members sought to reach out and lift up those living here in the nation's capital city.
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The Homeless Services Unit continued to reach some of the most vulnerable of the homeless - women, the elderly, and those suffering from mental illness. The Council of Governments estimated that there were over 9,700 persons homeless in the DC area as of January, 2024. Cluster staff were able to connect with over 160 persons and families who were either homeless or in danger of it. Almost 60% were women and 80% were minorities. Owing to the ongoing pandemic, staff continued to meet the homeless in public areas - in parks and makeshift shelters, or on the porches and covered entryways of churches, offices and stores.
The staff sought to meet the immediate, life-threatening needs facing the homeless - offering over 150 referrals for basic services such as shelter, food, showers, laundry, and clothing assistance. Over 130 persons were referred for medical care for physical and behavioral health needs. Over 150 referrals were made for emergency utility and rent assistance, and over 60 referrals were made for obtaining ID which is essential for all other services. In addition, over 40 referrals were made for either legal aid or immigration assistance.
Staff assisted with over 110 applications for benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Social Security, Medicaid, and other federal and local benefits. During the year, over 70 applications were successful with many others still in process at year’s end. 20 persons were assisted with job training or job placement referrals. Over 100 persons were helped in their efforts to find housing or avoid displacement with over 3 dozen being successful. Over a dozen persons in abusive situations were assisted.
The purpose of the Unit’s work is to meet life-threatening emergency needs, while seeking to break the cycle of homelessness by addressing underlying causes - to restore people and families back to lives of self-reliance and independent living.
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In 2024, the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) of which the Cluster was a founding member, continued its mission of empowering under capitalized businesses. WACIF loaned over $3 million to small and minority-owned businesses. Its portfolio reflects its commitment to diversity with over 95% of its lending clients being entrepreneurs of color and 2/3rds being women-owned businesses. Key initiatives included launching the Sustainable DC Project to support businesses transitioning to the green economy, establishing the Capital Region Women’s Business Center in partnership with the Small Business Administration, and joining the Underwriting for Racial Justice Lender Pilot Program.
Its technical assistance programs provided comprehensive support through over 2,000 advisory services activities, supporting nearly 1,100 entrepreneurs with one-on-one technical assistance and serving over 3,000 clients through group training and workshops, while graduating 30 entrepreneurs through its award winning Ascend Capital Accelerator program.
Under the leadership of its new CEO - Shannan Herbert - WACIF made significant strides in expanding economic opportunity across the region. Since its founding over 35 years ago, it has deployed over $100 million in flexible, affordable capital, supported more than 4,500 businesses, and has helped to create or retain 44,000 jobs. Its Forward Equity Strategy, launched in 2022, aims to invest $100 million, counsel 5,000 small businesses, and generate 100,000 local jobs over the coming decade with a particular focus in Wards 7 and 8 as well as expanding its efforts in both Maryland and Virginia. The Downtown Cluster of Congregations is WACIF’s largest investor as the Cluster continues to put its resources back into the community to serve small businesses and neighborhoods.
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The Downtown Cluster of Congregations for years has led the city in the filing of service requests. Staff walk the streets of neighborhoods across the city and file requests to local and federal agencies for removal of graffiti and illegal dumping, making sure street lights are working, having possibly abandoned or stolen cars removed, having hazardous sidewalks repaired, planting of trees, and other matters in an effort to make the city’s neighborhoods cleaner, greener, and safer. The Cluster filed over 23,000 such requests in 2024.
Specifically, the Cluster requested the planting of over 800 trees, as studies have shown neighborhoods with abundant trees are both safer and healthier than those with less tree coverage. Over 800 requests were also filed for the pruning of dead limbs or the removal of dead trees. Over 150 hazardous sidewalk locations were reported for repair, as well as over 50 busy crosswalks for re-striping for improved visibility. Over 2,000 requests were made for graffiti removal. The Cluster identified over 2,000 faded to illegible signs as well as damaged or missing ones that could impact safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and others. Having correct, visible signage is the crucial first factor for emergency responders to be successful.
Over 1,300 properties were reported to the city as possibly being vacant or blighted as such properties pose safety hazards - for fire or criminal activity - to immediate and nearby neighbors with the goal to have the buildings properly secured as well as to hasten their return to use.
The Cluster continued its campaign to have street lights working - reporting hundreds for repair. Cluster staff reported lights that were out by recreation centers and busy nightlife areas which posed a serious safety threat as the city continued to grapple with both car thefts and car jackings. Too often violent crimes have occurred on streets where street lights were out. The city substantially completed the conversion of its street lights to a “smart” system and hence knowing immediately when they are out and in need of repair as opposed to waiting for someone to call them in for repair when the system was operating on an antiquated hard-wired system.
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Safety remained the key issue facing the city in 2024. The good news is that homicides in the city fell by about 30% in 2024 compared to 2023. This achievement is owing to numerous steps by an array of agencies. That said, the city and its residents saw too many tragic deaths .... some 190 homicides occurred with 16 being youth and children under the age of 18. Many of those committing violent crime as well as being victims of such were minors. Given the on-going safety issue the Cluster worked with city agencies and others to promote Gun Turn in efforts, Jobs Not Guns efforts, youth engagement activities, Community Walks held with neighborhood police and individual congregations to reach out to neighbors, canvassing the city for street lights that were out at night, advocating for youth afterschool activities and other steps to try to make the city’s neighborhoods safer. Staff ardently pushed for more public safety messages on how to prevent crime - from remembering to pay attention when walking home, to not leaving cars running when dropping something off, to the simple message of remembering to lock your doors. Half or more of the city’s crimes are crimes of opportunity.
Public Health also remained a key issue. To that end the Cluster spread the word on a number of health clinics and health screening opportunities. Residents in DC suffer higher rates of a number of diseases than many states and hence improved public education and early detection can make a critical difference.
The Cluster worked with local business leaders to oppose a proposed 1,200 seat strip club for downtown at a location where a nightclub had previously operated and had a history of violent incidents.
The Executive Director served as the impartial 3rd party to certify numerous union elections by workers at companies from around the region. He also continued to serve as a member of the DC State Sports Commission which oversees and supports expanded youth sporting activities. He also served on the DC Lead Poisoning Elimination and Healthy Homes Advisory Commission.
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The Cluster continued to help congregations address an array of challenges as they sought to stay in a rapidly changing city. Issues facing congregations include safety, parking, and proper permits, as well as having aged properties in need of constant repair. One example of assistance to a congregation was a bike lane was installed next to a church and in so doing the city put in a concrete barrier that blocked handicap access to the church - the Cluster was able to get this corrected. The Cluster co-sponsored a seminar on how to redevelop the properties of congregations - converting outdated buildings into modern structures that could provide an array of uses such as health care, education, and housing in addition to worship services.
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The staff consisted of Terrance Lynch, the Executive Director, who has now served the organization for almost 40 years. Julie Turner is the Senior Outreach Worker.
The 2024 Officers were:
- President: Daryl Branson - Shiloh Baptist Church
- Vice President: Chuck Hicks - Greater new Hope Baptist Church
- Treasurer: Monsignor Ronald Jameson - ESt. Matthew's Cathedral
- Secretary: Christian Watkins, Asbury United Methodist Church
A full listing of Directors is available upon request. The Downtown Cluster of Congregations is independently audited annually. Such audits are available upon request.
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