Central Union Mission OP

OPPORTUNITY PROFILE
Executive Director
Washington, DC
Meeting the needs of hungry, hurting, and homeless
people in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area.

OVERVIEW
Central Union Mission is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with six locations throughout the Washington metropolitan
area. In addition to its family ministries, the Mission operates an emergency shelter program, a rehabilitation program for men with
life-controlling issues, a food, clothing and furniture distribution center, a retreat and recreation center with a camp for underprivileged
children, programs for isolated seniors, computer and job training and transitional and low-cost housing.
The Mission is continually developing its programs to meet the changing needs of the community. Its current programs serve homeless
men, underprivileged women, children, seniors, families, and veterans.
One life at a time, the Mission works to help transform the area’s toughest rehabilitation cases, including drug addicts, gang members,
criminal offenders, and the chronically homeless into productive members of society. The Mission’s programs have an extremely high
success rate at helping individuals overcome addiction and homelessness, and achieve independent living.
After twenty years of dedicated and successful service, Executive Director David Treadwell is retiring in 2018. Central Union Mission
seeks the next leader who will lead the Mission faithfully and strategically in the future.
2

THe Mission
At any given moment there are as many as 12,000 men, women and children in the Washington area living without a home. Everyday,
there are people who are “falling through the cracks” of our society, ending up in shelters, in transitional housing or on the streets. Many
of these people have often been hit with a job loss, illness, domestic violence or eviction-all things that could happen to any of us.
Most face not only homelessness, but an increasing sense of hopelessness.
Mission Statement: To Glorify God through proclaiming and teaching the Gospel, leading people to Christ, developing disciples, and
serving the needs of hurting people throughout the Washington Metropolitan area.
3

SERVICES
AT THE MISSION
The work at Central Union Mission is to proclaim the Gospel, lead people to Christ, develop disciples and work to meet the
physical, spiritual and emotional needs of the people we serve. Mission staff and volunteers display a gracious, sincere spirit of
integrity and Christian love, displaying excellence in all aspects of the ministry.
Feed the hungry: The Mission provides free meals at least three times every day and distributes free food and groceries through our
Food PLUS program.
Serve the poor: The Mission serves homeless men, underprivileged families, women, children and youth, seniors, veterans, and
others in need.
Provide a place of rest: The Mission provides a safe night’s sleep for overnight guests, and a 220-acre retreat and conference center for
rest and recreation. Every year, the Mission provides almost 50,000 beds and bedding for those using the emergency shelter and camp.
Give to those in need: Families and individuals rely on the Mission’s food assistance program in emergencies and as a steady source
of food. In partnership with individuals, corporations and churches, the Mission distributes more than $5 million-worth of in-kind
food, toiletries, clothing, household items and furniture each year.
Heal the brokenhearted: The mission operates a recovery program to restore once-broken men to productive lives. The Spiritual
Transformation Program (STP) is a residential rehabilitation program created to free men from the control of drugs, alcohol and
other destructive behavior by establishing an active relationship with Jesus Christ. The program serves students with systematic
Bible study, biblical counseling, regular drug testing and work therapy. Classes and tutoring in reading, writing, math, job readiness
and computer skills are also provided. After completing the STP, men enter a Transition Period where they seek employment and
are mentored through a gradual transition back into the community. We enable restoration of family relationships and a strong
relationship with a mentor church to help deter relapse and ensure the graduate’s continued growth and accountability.
Help needy children: Children are served through a number of community outreach programs, including meals with their families,
a residential summer camp, and a program that provides free school supplies and Christmas gifts.
Invest in others: The Mission’s free programs provide English language instruction, GED preparation, health consultations and
vocational support.
Show care: The Mission celebrates the forgotten and friendless at programs and events throughout the year.
4

history
Central Union Mission is the oldest social service agency in the
District of Columbia. It was founded in 1884 by the Reverend
Latham Douglass, a young pastor filled with compassion for
the thousands of homeless, neglected men—many of whom
were Civil War veterans—who wandered Pennsylvania Avenue.
Originally supported by a “union” of local churches, the Mission
has continuously operated an emergency shelter for homeless men
and been a place for spiritual uplift and recovery. It has thrived
through the Temperance Movement, women’s suffrage, The Great
Depression, two world wars, 24 presidential administrations, the
Civil Rights movement, neighborhood transitions and numerous
relocations.
In 1910, a local women’s organization gave a gift of an enormous
lighted sign that proclaimed, “Jesus, the Light of the World.” The
sign was 90 feet long and 26 feet wide and contained a total of 539
lamps. Considered the first of its kind in the world, the “Electric
Witness,” as it became known, was erected at the Mission’s sixstory
building at 622 Louisiana Avenue, NW. It was a prominent
city landmark for 13 years.
In 1915, John Bennett became the Mission’s first long-term
superintendent. In 1917, under his wife Jean, the Children’s
Emergency Home ministry began and started what was then a
unique Christmas Bag Program for more than 500 needy children.
First Ladies have often helped distribute these gifts; over the
years, Grace Coolidge, Lou Hoover, Eleanor Roosevelt, Elizabeth
Truman and Barbara Bush were active volunteers. Called
“Operation Christmas Miracle” today, the program provides the
only Christmas presents 2,000 children will receive--all donated
by generous Mission supporters, businesses and organizations.
Camp Bennett was opened in rural Maryland in 1934 as a
summer respite for city children and for farming by out-ofwork
men. During World War II, the Mission ministered to
the thousands of lonely service men and women in the nation’s
capital as well as volunteering Camp Bennett as a POW camp for
captured German soldiers.
After the war and deaths of John and Jean Bennett, Rev. and
Mrs. Herbert Eberhardt were called to lead the Mission and
Children’s Home. A replacement for the “Electric Witness” sign
was a 1952 gift from Virginia Lyman, a modest school teacher
and widow. The new sign was a 15-foot white neon cross with
“COME UNTO ME” in red letters, which remains on the 14th
& R Streets, NW, building today.
The Mission started a formal Alcoholic Rehabilitation Program
in 1966, which opened with six men enrolled. The Mission helped
heal the community during DC’s 1968 riots and in 1984, through
the Robert Wood Foundation, established one of four clinics for
the Health Care for the Homeless Project. In 1991, the Mission
opened a care center for homeless HIV-positive patients making
it one of only a few rescue missions in the country to actively
serve HIV and AIDS patients. In 1998, Executive Director
David Treadwell established the Family Ministry in order to serve
Hispanic newcomers to DC.
Today, Central Union Mission’s services continue to impact
the community. After 31 years on 14th and R Streets, NW,
in 2013 the Mission renovated the historic Gales School at
65 Massachusetts Ave., NW, to become a state-of-the-art
homeless shelter. Central Union Mission operates six facilities
that offer meals and shelter, transitional housing, a food pantry
and donation “store,” Camp Bennett, legal, medical and dental
services, education and employment. In 133 years, Central Union
Mission has had a front-row seat to history as it renovates the
lives and futures of thousands of hungry, hurting and homeless
people in Washington, DC.
5

STATEMENT OF FAITH
PURPOSE:
To Glorify God through proclaiming and teaching the Gospel, leading people to Christ, developing disciples, and serving the needs of hurting
people throughout the Washington Metropolitan area.
We hold the Bible to be God’s Holy Word in its entirety. It is inspired in every part by the Holy Spirit. (II Timothy 3:16; II Peter 1:21)
We hold that man was created in the image of God, holy and innocent; that of his own choice, he sinned, and as a result, brought death
upon all humanity. (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23)
We hold that those who are not saved from sin are eternally separated from God. ( John 3:18)
We hold that Jesus Christ is God, born of a virgin, that He gave His life on the cross where He, who knew no sin, was made sin for
us; that He was buried and rose from the dead and afterward ascended into Heaven, from whence He will come again. ( John 5:39; II
Corinthians 5:21; I Corinthians 15:4; Acts 2:9-11)
We hold that we are saved by grace through faith, apart from works; that the sinner who repents and personally accepts the finished
work of Christ on the cross, becomes a child of God; is made a new creature and is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 2:8-9; John
1:12; II Corinthians 5:17; John 14:17)
We hold that Jesus Christ is coming again for His church, to establish His kingdom on earth, to judge the wicked and the lost, cast
death and hell into the lake of fire, and dwell with the saints forever. ( John 14:3; Titus 1:13; I Thessalonians 5:16-17; Revelation 20:6;
Revelation 20:15; Revelation 22:1-5)
We hold that through preaching, teaching and ministering, Central Union Mission must use its resources and activities to bring men,
women and children under the power of the Gospel; that they may have victory over sin, come into fellowship with God and live
Spirit-filled, fruitful lives in Christ.
For a more comprehensive overview of Central Union Mission, visit the web site at http://www.missiondc.org.
6

At a glance
133
Years of Serving the Homeless
58,811
nights of shelter through the
Overnight Guest Ministry &
Spiritual Transformation Program
86
Employees
(49 Full-time, 37 Part-time)
6 PROPERTIES
$ 8,132,137
Annual Budget (2017-18)
$ 18M Assets
$ 3.1M Debt
$0 Government
Funding
4,142,935
148
men in Spiritual
meals were served or provided
for needy men, women,
children and families
1,156,505
worth of clothing, furniture
and household goods
distributed
5,705
counseling sessions and home
or hospital visits
18,662
volunteer hours were donated
Transformation Program
23
men and women in Ready to
Work Program
63
men in Work Program
Annual Income
Total: 16,157,481
Foundations & Bequests
Business/Organizations
Individuals
Churches
GIK
Other

The Position
The Central Union Mission is currently seeking an Executive Director to build upon its 133 years of service and lead Central
Union Mission into its next chapter of serving the District’s homeless population. The Executive Director (ED) reports to a twelve
member Board of Directors, and has both internal and external leadership responsibilities. Internally, the ED will build upon a
strong leadership team and continue to grow excellence in areas of the Mission’s operations. One key area of growth for the future
is to better track and measure the effectiveness of certain ministry programs which are focused on long-term impact.
Currently reporting to the Executive Director are the Senior Director of Finance, Senior Director of Development, Director of
Men’s Ministry, Director of Social Work, Director of Education, Director of Administration, Director of Family Ministry, and the
Director of Camp Bennett.
Executive
Director
Executive
Assistant
Dir. Men’s
Ministry
Dir. Social
Work
Dir.
Education
Dir.
Administration
Sr. Dir.
Finance
Dir. Family
Ministry
Dir. Camp
Bennett
Sr. Dir.
Development
Externally, the Executive Director will forge new relationships to build the Mission’s visibility, impact and financial resources.
The ED will be a key spokesperson and liaison of the Mission with government agencies, foundations, churches, donors, and the
community. He/She will oversee all fundraising efforts and will carry a portfolio of key major donors and prospects.
8

Key Attributes
OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mature Faith - We are seeking a leader of deep personal faith, in agreement theologically with Central Union Mission. The right
leader will have the ability to think and act decisively with purpose and integrity.
Proven Team Leadership - The successful candidate will be a proven leader with the experience, vision and energy required to lead
a $8.1 million organization. The incoming Executive Director will have the ability to assess the organization and its resources,
and to work collaboratively and successfully with staff to implement changes and enhancements to the Mission’s operational and
fundraising programs.
Development Success - This person will have measurable success in direct one-on-one major gift fundraising, as well as a proven track
record of leading and growing a comprehensive development department.
Results-Oriented - This leader will ensure that Central Union Mission increasingly measures the results of its programs,
demonstrating the various ways lives have been changed by the Mission.
Inspirational Communicator - The incoming Executive Director should be dynamic and exhibit outstanding interpersonal and
relationship-building skills. As the team leader, the ED will inspire those around him/her toward innovation, excellence, and hard work.
Exceptional Ability to Prioritize and Delegate - The successful candidate will possess exceptional judgment, flexibility, and the
demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple priorities and responding to a variety of constituent needs.
Passion for Homeless – Central Union Mission ministers to the homeless and allows the local church to partner with the Mission,
so the right leader will have a passion for ministry to the homeless. This person will have, or develop quickly, credibility and
relationships in the community.
DESIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS
• A bachelor’s degree; preferably an advanced degree in philanthropy, business, marketing, etc.
• Five to ten years of development leadership or related experience
• Commitment to Central Union Mission core values
• A demonstrated record of achievement leading others and raising money
• Knowledge/understanding of the D.C. area (preferred)
9

Location
Central Union Mission has six locations in the greater Washington DC area with
the main location at 65 Massachusetts Avenue, just blocks from the U.S. Capitol. The
Executive Director will be expected to reside in the District of Columbia, northern
Virginia or southern Maryland.
EXPECTATIONS
• The Mission will better be able to measure and track effectiveness of transformational programs.
• Funding will continue to grow and allow for growth of new ministry areas. An endowment will be established.
• The Mission’s excellent reputation will expand, relationships with churches will increase, and the Mission will be the District
government’s “go to” source for expertise and counsel on homelessness.
• A new Strategic Plan will be developed.
• The next Executive Director will lead the Mission in deciding whether it should expand services for women and families to include
emergency shelter and housing services.
10

Process
OF Candidacy
If after reading this Opportunity Profile you sense that the gifts and experience God has given you are a good match for Central
Union Mission, we invite you to begin the inquiry process. All candidate information and conversations are handled confidentially.
You may contact Tommy Thomas at any stage of the process to get more information and to ask questions. His contact information
is below.
When preparing your resume for this position, please include the following for each position that you have held during the past
fifteen years.
• Name and location of company/organization
• Job title
• Years in the position
• Position to which you reported and positions that reported to you
• Primary responsibilities and achievements
• Aspects of the position which most directly prepared you to be the Executive Director of the Mission
• Reason for leaving current position
In order to help us get a more complete picture of you and your interest in this position, provide us with responses to the following
four questions:
1. Describe your faith in Jesus and how this has impacted the way you view work.
2. What is it about the position of Executive Director of the Mission that attracts you and how has your experience prepared you
f or the role?
3. Provide the names and contact information (telephone numbers and email addresses) for four references who know you and
your career well enough to comment on your suitability for this role.
Please do not be overly concerned with brevity in assembling this package of materials. While we don’t want to read volumes, we do want
you to take the time to share enough meaningful information to allow us to get to know you and why you would make a strong Executive
Director of the Mission.
Submit this information in one Microsoft Word document or .pdf to:
Tommy Thomas
JobfitMatters
resumes@simainternational.com
Phone: (615) 261-4623
In the subject line, please write “Central Union Mission Executive Director.”
11