GNCH Refugee Resettlement Data

The work of preparing refugee apartments as an implementing partner for Lutheran Social Services, National Capitol Area has become the primary focus for the Good Neighbors Capitol Hill coalition of 8 Capitol Hill congregations, other associated friends and 2 adjunct congregations from Maryland. 

Lutheran Church of the Reformation, facilitate the apartment operations with members from Capitol Hill Presbyterian, St. Mark’s Episcopal, St. Peter’s Catholic, Christ Church Episcopal, Capitol Hill Methodist Church, The Church of the Latter Day Saints on Capitol Hill and Hill Havurah (along with many unaffliaated associate volunteers).  These folks work as a team, coordinating our furnishings operation. recruiting available volunteers as needed and preparing the homes for the new arrivals.  Prior to each apartment set-up, items are gathered, cleaned and refurbished if necessary, then stored until the move in date.

While our primary focus is creating safe and fully stocked , safe and welcoming apartments, other services offered by volunteers include transportation (to health care), helping access social services (including food stamps, clothing, school supplies); education; employment; drivers licenses; tutoring; procuring vehicles and insurance. We often invite and hire refugee client/friends, to assist with pickup and setup of furniture. 

GNCH began furnishing apartments during December, 2016. Our pattern has been to furnish one apartment per month, however, in 2020, we managed to furnish twenty and since the fall of Kabul in 2921, we have furnished 2 or 3 per month.  Our apartment #115 was completed in September 2023 and we continue to receive requests.  Most apartments have been in MD, 10 in VA (one in DC).

Total number of people housed: well over 875.

Family sizes range from 2 – 12, averaging 5.

Most of the families have been Special Immigrant Visa holding refugees. (SIVs are from Afghanistan and Iraq.  They have become people at risk in their own country because of their service with the United States military or Embassy.)  However, with the huge influx of Afghan evacuees, now we have created homes for a number of humanitarian parolees as well.  We have recently furnished apartments for 3 Ukranian families.

Take a Look at the Amazing Number of Furnishings We Have Provided:  (an estimate from our Furnishings Team Leaders, Dale Manty and Kathryn Tobias)

 350  tables

75 sofas

260 lounge chairs

154 area rugs

370 lamp tables

245 throw pillows

385 decorative pictures

185 wall mirrors

285 waste baskets

340 dining chairs

345 mattresses

345 mattress pads

395 pillows

850 rolls of toilet paper

436 light bulbs

265 extension cords

  65 basic tool kits

  65 irons and ironing boards

  65 vacuum cleaners

  65 microwaves

  Hundreds of dishes, glassware, flatware, pots, pans, kitchen utensils, cleaning supplies and 

  toiletries.

And so much more!  All of this is provided with a commitment to creating a Welcoming Home!

GIK – Gifts in Kind:

Most of the items we collect for the apartments are GIK (Gifts in Kind) for which we can offer the donor a Tax Deductible Receipt.  These donated items must be in “Excellent to Good “ condition when collected from donors. We can arrange to pick up most furniture using a van which GNCH purchased in 2020 thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Koster Family Foundation. GNCH is responsible for the insurance and a donor provides for all necessary gasoline.

How You Can Donate

The member congregations listed below are designated agents for GIK.  Write: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can arrange for pick up or drop off of your GIK items in “Good to Excellent “ condition.

Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church – Kitchen supplies

Christ Church Episcopal – Back Packs filled for appropriate age of student

Hill Havurah – Fresh Food and Staples (2-3 week supply) and small Kitchen Appliances and Televisions

Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints, Capitol Hill - Tool kits, Extension Cords, Light Bulbs, Batteries, Etc.

 Lutheran Church of the Reformation – Large Furnishings

 St. Marks Episcopal Church – Bed and Bath linens and Toiletries

 St. Peter's Catholic Church - Cleaning supplies  - (Supplies in bulk are much appreciated.)

While we rely on “gently used” GIK items, we must purchase some new bedding items, some kitchen and cleaning supplies, toiletries, consumables, etc. GNCH budgets approximately $1000 for each apartment.  The estimated GIK Value to furnish each apartment is $ 7,000 - $8000.  We rely on the generosity of people who are downsizing or choosing to recycle items no longer needed.   These GIK donations enable us to create fully furnished new homes for families who arrive with only the few personal items they could carry.  Upon receiving the key to a furnished apartment, they discover a welcoming home.