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Community Care Center

Meeting Immediate Needs. Strengthening Families. Creating Pathways to Stability.

Unexpected circumstances can create significant challenges for individuals and families. Whether facing housing instability, financial hardship, or difficulty accessing essential services, having trusted support can make a meaningful difference.

At the Greater Washington Urban League’s Community Care Center, we help individuals and families navigate urgent challenges, access critical resources, and take meaningful steps toward greater stability.

Through emergency assistance, benefits navigation, housing support, and connections to comprehensive services, we provide compassionate, responsive guidance that helps individuals and families address immediate needs while preparing for stronger futures.

Our approach recognizes that every circumstance is different. We listen, assess individual needs, and connect residents to practical solutions and resources that support their overall well-being.

Together, we are removing obstacles to stability and economic mobility while helping families move from crisis toward lasting security and opportunity.

Our

Mission

To provide compassionate, timely, and coordinated assistance that helps individuals and families navigate unexpected challenges, access essential resources, achieve greater stability, and build pathways to long-term economic security.

Our

Vision

A Greater Washington region where individuals and families facing difficult circumstances can access trusted support, navigate challenges with confidence, and build stable, secure futures.

We envision communities where immediate needs are met with compassion, families are connected to meaningful opportunities, and temporary challenges do not prevent long-term progress.

Our

Purpose

The Community Care Center serves as a welcoming point of connection for individuals and families seeking assistance during challenging times.

Through personalized support, benefits navigation, emergency financial assistance, housing stabilization services, and referrals to community resources, we help residents address urgent needs and identify practical next steps.

Our work is grounded in the belief that timely assistance, trusted relationships, and coordinated services can help families regain stability, strengthen financial security, and move toward greater independence.

CREATING PATHWAYS TO STABILITY ◆

Our

Services

Connecting Families to Support. Creating Pathways Forward.

The Community Care Center offers programs designed to help eligible residents address immediate financial and housing challenges while connecting them to resources that support long-term stability.

Recertification Benefits Initiative

Helping Families Maintain Access to Essential Benefits.

Navigating public benefits applications and recertification requirements can be challenging, particularly when families are managing other financial or personal responsibilities.

Our Recertification Benefits Initiative helps individuals and families understand program requirements, prepare necessary documentation, and complete recertification applications for essential benefits, including SNAP, TANF, and housing assistance programs.

Through personalized guidance and practical support, we help participants navigate the process with greater confidence and reduce the risk of interruptions in eligible benefits.

  • Application Assistance: Guidance with completing recertification forms accurately and thoroughly.
  • Document Preparation: Support gathering, organizing, and submitting required documentation.
  • Deadline Reminders: Assistance tracking important dates and recertification requirements.
  • Benefits Navigation: Guidance understanding available resources and identifying next steps

Our experienced staff provide knowledgeable, confidential, and compassionate support throughout the recertification process.

We recognize the importance of maintaining essential benefits and work with individuals and families to help them navigate requirements and address challenges as they arise.

The Recertification Benefits Initiative has reached more than 20,000 residents through outreach, education, and assistance designed to help individuals maintain access to essential benefits.

Through partnerships with community organizations, we continue connecting residents to information and resources that support financial stability and family well-being.

Email: EMASTbenefits@gwul.org

Phone: (202) 993-9863

Apply Here

Utility Assistance Programs

Helping Families Maintain Essential Services.

Reliable access to electricity, gas, and water is essential to household stability, health, and well-being.

Unexpected financial challenges can make it difficult for individuals and families to manage utility expenses while meeting other household needs.

Through partnerships with Pepco, Washington Gas, and DC Water, the Greater Washington Urban League provides emergency utility assistance to eligible District residents experiencing financial hardship.

Our goal is to help families maintain essential services, navigate temporary financial challenges, and strengthen household stability.

Available Assistance

Eligible households may receive one-time emergency assistance toward qualifying utility expenses.

  • Electric and Gas: Up to $500 in combined assistance, based on program guidelines.
  • Water: Up to $350 in assistance, based on program guidelines.

Assistance is subject to eligibility requirements and available funding.

During FY 2023–2024, GWUL’s Utility Assistance Program:

  • Approved assistance for more than 985 applicants.
  • Supported 1,435 household members.
  • Distributed $196,295.24 in emergency utility assistance.

These investments helped families maintain essential household services and navigate periods of financial difficulty.

Email: uintake@gwul.org

Phone: (202) 792-2554

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Project Reconnect

Reconnecting Individuals to Housing. Restoring Stability. Creating New Opportunities.

Housing instability can disrupt employment, family relationships, health, and financial security.

Project Reconnect helps eligible individuals experiencing homelessness identify opportunities to reconnect with family members, trusted friends, or other stable housing arrangements.

Through personalized assistance, housing navigation, and connections to practical resources, the program supports individuals in moving from temporary shelter toward more stable living situations.

Our approach focuses on understanding each participant’s circumstances, identifying available support networks, and developing practical solutions that promote housing stability.

Project Reconnect serves eligible individuals who meet established program requirements, including:

  • New Shelter Arrivals: Individuals who recently entered a low-barrier shelter and meet applicable eligibility criteria.
  • Returning Shelter Residents: Individuals returning to shelter after a period away who meet program requirements.
  • Individuals Navigating Major Life Transitions: People leaving correctional facilities or foster care who need support identifying stable housing arrangements.
  • Individuals Reconnecting With Support Networks: Participants who have opportunities to stay with family members or trusted friends.

Eligibility is determined through program assessment and applicable requirements.

 

Depending on individual circumstances, eligibility, and funding availability, assistance may include:

  • Security deposits
  • First month’s rent
  • Rental arrears
  • Transportation assistance
  • Grocery support for host households
  • Utility assistance for host households

During FY 2023–2024, Project Reconnect supported more than 2,500 applicants through housing navigation, financial assistance, and connections to resources.

The program helps individuals pursue stable housing arrangements while reducing reliance on emergency shelter services.

Email: rapidexit@gwul.org

Phone: (202) 524-8175

Apply Here

Eviction Diversion Program

Helping Residents Navigate Housing Challenges and Preserve Stability.

Housing stability is essential to the financial and emotional well-being of individuals and families.

The Eviction Diversion Program (EDP) was designed to help tenants and landlords address rental challenges, explore available solutions, and pursue agreements that could prevent eviction proceedings.

Through mediation, practical guidance, and connections to housing resources, the program supported residents in navigating financial difficulties while helping property owners address outstanding rental obligations.

  • Early Mediation: Encouraging communication and negotiated solutions before court proceedings.
  • Housing Resource Navigation: Connecting tenants and landlords to available assistance and support services.
  • Communication Support: Helping participants understand available options and navigate the resolution process.
  • Additional Accommodations: Supporting communication needs through interpretation and other available services.

During FY 2023–2024, the Eviction Diversion Program:

  • Approved assistance for more than 188 applicants.
  • Supported 282 household members.
  • Secured $1,025,352 in payments to help address housing challenges.

For information about available housing resources, residents may contact the DC Superior Court’s eviction assistance services.

Email: DCCourtEvictionHelp@DCSC.gov

Phone: (202) 879-2073

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Emergency Rental Assistance

Supporting Housing Stability During Financial Hardship.

Unexpected financial circumstances can place individuals and families at risk of losing stable housing.

The Community Care Center helps eligible District residents navigate emergency rental assistance resources designed to address urgent housing needs and support household stability.

Through application guidance, eligibility screening, and connections to available resources, we help residents understand assistance options and identify practical steps toward maintaining secure housing.

Eligibility is based on applicable program requirements and may include:

  • District of Columbia residency
  • A documented financial or housing emergency
  • Household income within established program guidelines
  • Other requirements determined by the administering agency

Depending on program guidelines, funding availability, and eligibility, assistance may include:

  • Overdue rent
  • Qualifying late fees and court costs
  • Security deposits
  • First month’s rent for eligible new leases
  • Additional rental assistance for qualifying households

During FY 2023–2024, emergency rental assistance services:

  • Supported more than 1,350 applicants.
  • Reached 3,245 household members.
  • Provided more than $7.5 million in financial assistance to support housing stability.

These resources helped residents navigate urgent financial challenges and maintain more stable living arrangements.

Phone: (202) 507-6666

Apply Here

Connect With the Community Care Center

When Challenges Arise, Support Is Within Reach.

Whether you are navigating an unexpected financial emergency, seeking housing assistance, maintaining essential benefits, or looking for guidance during a difficult time, the Greater Washington Urban League’s Community Care Center is here to help.

Our team works with individuals and families to understand their needs, identify available resources, and connect them to practical solutions that support stability and long-term progress.

We believe that timely assistance can make a lasting difference, helping families move forward with greater confidence, security, and opportunity.

Email: communitycares@gwul.org

Phone: (202) 765-0179

Together, we can meet immediate needs, strengthen families, and create pathways to lasting stability.

Our

Community Care Center

Are you facing an emergency? The Community Care Center is here to provide the support you need.

  • Must be a DC resident facing a proven state of emergency.
  • Household income must meet federal poverty guidelines.
  • Assistance with overdue rent, late fees, and court costs.
  • Security deposits and first month’s rent for new leases.
  • Up to five months of rental assistance based on zip code and unit size.
  • Additional assistance for individuals with disabilities to cover back rent.

In FY 2023-2024, ERAP supported over 1,350 applicants, positively impacting 3,245 household members and providing over $7.5 million in financial assistance to ensure housing stability.

Phone: 202-507-6666

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