UPLIFT DC

We want to see a community where those we serve are provided the necessary resources to live a successful and meaningful life. We are strongly committed to joyfully working alongside the experts; the people who live, work and serve in our community. Persons residing east of the river are adversely affected by the majority of indices outlined in the DC Health Matters 2021 Demographics report. The median income in Ward 7 is $42,201.00 while the median income for the entire District is $91,414.00. Over 17% of Ward 7 residents live below the national poverty line, and 16% of Ward 7 residents are unemployed compared to 7% district-wide. Health challenges such as hypertension, teen pregnancy, diabetes, HIV-Aids, cancer, and other health disparities are all exacerbated east of the river. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “health disparities are “differences in health outcomes and their causes among different groups of people.” Reducing these health disparities can create better health for Americans overall. Health disparities are closely tied to social, economic, and environmental disadvantages, which minority groups disproportionately face.” To make a difference, our organization will attempt to leverage resources to mitigate these challenges.

Current Projects

Hope Village is a vision led by Uplift-DC to provide not only housing but a community of supportive neighbors while embracing the concept that “it takes a village to raise a child.” Hope Village will consist of the construction of two buildings. One building will consist of apartments for grandparents or other custodial adults responsible for raising minor children. Another building will consist of condominium units for purchase that can assist senior citizens who may want to downsize and remain in the District of Columbia. First responders and other essential personnel will also be able to own property in the nation’s capital by residing in one of our anticipated modern condominiums. According to a Johns Hopkins University study, “minorities take pride in home ownership.”

Hope Village will also provide stable and safe housing for grandparents or other custodial adults who are responsible for raising minor children. The District of Columbia has a robust Grandparent Program managed by the Child and Family Services Agency. Grandfamilies.org identified nearly 3,000 grandparents in the District of Columbia who were responsible for their grandchildren. This building will also include on-site wrap-around services to aid in the growth and development of the young people residing in the building and in the community.

We can no longer wait for others to do everything for us. Uplift-DC decided it was time to use our resources to transform the community in which we are located. Juvenile crime is pervasive, but so is HOPE. Homelessness is pervasive, but so is HOPE. HOPE village is a sermon intended not only to be heard but also to be seen. It is to be seen as a living embodiment of what can happen when a few people put their minds together to do something to help others and enrich their community.

Monthly Food Distribution—We serve as a mobile market for the Capital Area Food Bank, distributing food to between 4,000 and 6,000 people monthly.

Some of our outreach initiatives include:

Distributed over 30,000 hot meals from the steps of Ward Memorial during the COVID pandemic
Provided healthy groceries to 45,215 persons in 2024
Provided 89 complete Thanksgiving meals in 2024
Recognized veterans with custom-made gifts for Veteran’s Day 2024
Built a clothing closet for brothers returning home from incarceration
Provided new winter clothing items for 60 children at Smothers Elementary School
Provided Christmas gifts and coats to over 100 children within the congregation and community
Provided free HIV testing
Provided a baby shower for teenage mothers in Ward 7