Seeking Volunteers to Work in Computer Lab for the Homeless

I recently did an Internet search for Cafe Mawonaj and came across the Corner Forum, which mentioned them in a past edition, and I started snooping around your newsletter.

Approximately 20 minutes drive or just a few Metro stops from your corner lies Community of Hope, an emergency housing facility for homeless families in D.C.

Community of Hope provides the tools and resources to help low-income homeless and underserved families and individuals in the District of Columbia move toward self-sufficiency.

Currently we have 20 families living with us, which means an average of 70 people under the age of 18 in the building.

We currently need people to volunteer with us in our computer lab. We have a computer lab with 10 brand new computers and need volunteers to commit two hours weekly to be in the lab to assist in whatever ways the adults or kids might need.

We have educational software that the kids love — it's just a matter of directing them to the appropriate software. Our adults are learning job searching skills, resume writing, and apartment searching skills in life skills classes and would like to be able to put those skills to use.

Working to improve the lives of anyone living in the District of Columbia improves life for us all. The lack of affordable housing citywide is the single greatest factor in the alarming rates of homelessness in our area.

There is also a sense of satisfaction that comes from helping those who need it most, which in turn helps to create a greater appreciation for our own lives.

From getting to know the families that live in Community of Hope, I've also come to admire the inner strength so many of them possess and have had to summon in order to get their lives together for their families.

Hours of operation are 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., seven days a week. Very flexible schedule.

We are located three blocks from the Columbia Heights Metro.

Call me at 232-7356, ext. 319, or visit http://www.communityofhopedc.org. §