City Gate

Thanks to the program with Ms. Vicks and my tutor, Emily, I am learning to read. At City Gate we get to do art projects and play on the computers and I really like that. What I like most about the program are the field trips, though. We get to go places we’ve never been before. We don’t leave the neighborhood unless it is on a field trip. I thank you for all you have done for our programs, please help make things better for our neighborhood.

Sincerely, Markese

Being ill is crazy bad. There is no doubt about it; no way, as my southern brethren would say, to “put lipstick on a pig”.

In 2006 God called me to work for City Gate and minister/advocate for “the least of these.” For the last year and a half, I have been afflicted with chronic and severe pain, debilitating tremors, and other mysterious symptoms that have stymied diagnosis by even the most determined doctors. Almost daily, I struggled with insurance companies and their special brand of red tape (receiving a $13,000 bill at one point, after a procedure that I was told was covered). Another time I was forced to come off painkillers so quickly, I experienced withdrawal symptoms similar to someone going off heroin “cold turkey”.

Having hours upon hours of reflection time gives you a highly unique perspective. While I lay in my bed, trying to hang on to sanity through the effects of narcotic painkillers and strong anti-seizure medications, I wondered what God was up to. What good could possibly come of all this senseless suffering?

My thoughts and prayers were often of City Gate and the children and families we serve. As a community worker, I often tried to put myself in their shoes in order to empathize with their situation. But what if the reverse were true; what if they were in mine?

I am a reasonably well educated person. I have a loving and generous support system of family and friends. I have access to health care through what is considered “good” insurance. For all of this, I am truly grateful. But what of those who have little or none of the above?

Now I really understand how difficult it is for the impoverished and/or illiterate to access any kind of health care. Also, I know how completely impossible it is to expect those suffering from addiction to simply “just say no”. And I see how even those with health coverage become lost and abused in a system that is more about quarterly profits than quality care. (In my experience, claims are equally likely to be rejected and forwarded to collections agencies as they are to be paid by insurance companies.)

In a nation whose poverty rate has increased for a third year in a row (to 15.1%, U.S. Census Bureau) and with over 50 million people not covered by health insurance (Kaiser Foundation), we can ill afford to take a “not my problem” attitude about either. Changes to the current system are necessary. I have to agree with President Obama when he said, “Anything is better than [the system] we have now.” Changes that would bring justice to the current system would be even better.

No one deserves to suffer preventable diseases, go bankrupt to afford health care, or be denied treatment for physical or mental afflictions in the richest country in the world. Remember, being ill is crazy bad. Let’s not make it harder than it has to be.

Kistin Wiener, Associate Director

You can help us by either donating non-perishable food, or used clothing and/or books, or you can volunteer for our service project on Saturday, September 10, 2011.

9/10 Serve, Salute, Celebrate Event
City Gate. is bringing together volunteers from all over the DC area for a unified day of service and fellowship on Saturday, September 10. In commemoration of both the 9/11 attacks, and the renewed spirit of national community those attacks fostered, volunteers will serve from 9am to 1pm at either Mary Virginia Merrick Center in SE DC, or Clay Terrace of NE DC. Once there, volunteers will have the opportunity to work alongside members of those communities to distribute clothing, food, books, and other donated goods. City Gate will also coordinate beautification projects of nearby neighborhoods and parks as a complement to the food and clothing drive. Following the service project, volunteers are invited to a brief salute to those affected by the attacks, and a cook-out to celebrate the strength of spirit and unity of purpose of our national community.

Those interested can register online. CLICK HERE!

For further information and directions, please view the attachments below and/ or email serve.salute.celebrate@gmail.com

General Volunteer Flyer

Metro Donation Flyer

Our mission is one of opening doors of opportunity and building bridges of understanding. Whether providing free out-of-school time programs for kids in public housing, or running a language immersion preschool in Northwest DC, or working with Urban Hands groups from across the country – we are committed to education, empowerment, and building community.

City Gate is best known for excellent out-of-school time programs for underserved children and youth in the District of Columbia. Free after school and summer day camps are provided at public schools, a community center, and community rooms in public housing. Daily meals are provided at several sites, along with parenting and adult education programs. Detailed information is available on this website, or by contacting us directly.

City Gate also operates the Caterpillar Preschool, a Spanish and French language immersion program located at Tenley Circle. There are still openings for Fall 2011.

Summer – The Caterpillar Preschool and our Tenley Circle camps (ages 6-11) offer a variety of fun, educational, and affordable summer programs, with enrollment- beginning in March. As always, City Gate will be providing free summer day camps at several locations in Wards 7 and 8.

If you are one of the hundreds of Urban Hands volunteers who have worked with us during the past ten years, please go to our Urban Hands page to share a comment or picture with us, and to check out current opportunities. Your pictures and memories are a great way to celebrate the difference that 500 groups from 35 different states have made in our city and lives of hundreds of kids during our first decade!

To learn more about Urban Hands click here.

City Gate wants to make a date (10/10/10) with you for a very special event.
We’re celebrating the people, partners, and programs that have made our first decade a great journey of ministry, hope, and growth!

Dear Site Visitor,

I wish I could give you a tour of our City Gate programs and ministries, but the next best thing is to invite you to the Merrick Center in Southeast DC for a special celebration on October 10.

This anniversary event will provide not only a fast-paced tour of our programs throughout the city, but also highlights of our first decade. That journey began just a few blocks from the Merrick Center, with an after-school program at the Johenning Community Center. Those few blocks plus ten years of growth demonstrate a couple of our core convictions. First, “staying put” is important in building trust and serving a community (when we start work in a neighborhood, we stay!). But second, you can’t stand still. The needs of the city constantly have challenged us to grow our programs and expand to new sites.

That’s the story of the past 10 years that we want to celebrate with you. We’ve had folks from all over the country who have walked at least part of this journey with us through Urban Hands. But many of you are local – and we hope to see you at the Merrick Center on Sunday evening, October 10, for a delicious dinner and a fun, fast-paced ministry celebration!

Blessings,

Lynn Bergfalk, President and Executive Director