Our drop-in Welcome Center is a place where individuals experiencing homelessness can find a safe place off the streets and connect to a host of solution-driven services. The Welcome Center supports participants with basic needs such as food, personal hygiene supplies, clothing, access to free medical and mental health services—and referrals to community-based services and resources. All participants are offered supportive case management who provides assistance in achieving identified goals.
Learn about the Brooks, our facility for families experiencing homelessness.
Services at the Welcome Center encourage participants to be connected with the community and to pursue opportunities that lead toward stability. In addition to helping to address basic needs, the Welcome Center helps individuals access vital documents (Birth Certificates, Identification, Social Security Cards), apply for benefits (SNAP/Food Stamps, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI), and search for employment. In order to facilitate opportunities for connection, the Welcome Center offers personal-mail distribution services and phone access.
The Welcome Center also serves as a primary assessment site for the District of Columbia’s Coordinated Entry system for single adults and transition-age youth. Individuals who are experiencing “literal homelessness” (living in an emergency shelter, transitional housing, outdoors, and other places not meant for permanent habitation) are welcome to visit the Welcome Center to complete a VI-SPDAT housing assessment. Single youth/young adults who are under the age of 25 who are literally homeless or unstably housed may be eligible to complete a TAY-VI-SPDAT as well.
Impact
In Fiscal Year 2021, the Friendship Place Welcome Center served 536 visitors.
What We Provide
- Meals
- Personal hygiene supplies
- Clothing (Socks/Underwear/T-shirts)
- Health and Mental Health services
- Supportive Services & Street Outreach
- Coordinated Entry/Housing assessment (DC)
- Resources and Referrals
- Vital Document & Benefits Assistance
- Mail Coordination & Phone Usage
Who We Serve
Any person experiencing homelessness who is in need of basic necessities, medical and mental health services, housing assessment, referrals to other Friendship Place programs and citywide services.
Where We Serve
The Welcome Center is located at 4713 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016, between the TenleyTown and Friendship Heights Metro Stations. To visit, take the following busses: 30N, 30S, 31, 33 and N2.
Need Help?
Call us at 202.364.1419 or email us at info@friendshipplace.org