THE EMORY BEACON
OF LIGHT
at The Beacon Center
OUR PROGRAMS
We are proud to deliver programs that address the life cycle of needs that are essential to developing and maintaining a healthy economically empowered community.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Welcome to The Beacon Center Residences, Northwest D.C's newest affordable housing community. Our 99 units range from studio to 3 bedroom units and will open in late 2018. Through partnership with the Emory Beacon of Light, The Residences at The Beacon Center offers the neighborhood access to affordable housing and service-oriented amenities that seek to engage its members and provide opportunity for creative outlets, supportive housing and personal growth.
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
Our transitional housing program started in 1994. In 2000, the basement of the Emory Beacon of Light (EBOL) offices were converted to an English style basement apartment. In 2008, EBOL purchased a three story home solely dedicated to this life changing program.
Since its inception, the program has provided transitional housing to more than 150 families.
FOOD PANTRY
THE FOOD PANTRY is open every Tuesday from 12pm to 2pm and provides food to low income and homeless families. Food donations come from the Capitol Area Food Bank, members of the Emory Fellowship and private donors.
During Thanksgiving week we prepare hundreds of baskets for families in the local community and beyond.
WEEKEND BACKPACK PROGRAM
In April of 2013, EBOL began the Weekend Backpack program; working with the Capital area food bank in providing weekend food for low-income children ages
5 - 18 years old in our local community. The backpacks contain 4-6 lbs. of shelf stable food which will include: two breakfast items, 2 kid friendly snacks, and a meal consisting of a protein, a grain, a vegetable, and a fruit. Children pick up their bags every Friday afternoon.
Since our program began we have provided several hundred backpacks of food to children who receive free or reduced lunches.
IMMIGRATION CLINIC
Provided under the legal supervision of Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON), Our Immigration Clinic is free to low income people in the Washington metropolitan area.
Clients come from many countries and cultures. They have fled civil war, genocide and political oppression. Many have survived horrific ordeals and others have escaped poverty and deportation. Clinic attorneys have won very complex cases before the Immigration and Naturalization Service and have defended their clients against deportation.
SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT
EBOL provides a range of assistance to small business to help increase revenue and foot traffic to the Brightwood business corridor in Northwestern D.C. The Small Business Assistance Program offers one-to-one consultations, the development and implementation of long and short term goals, access to the
Vibrant Street Toolkit that provides access to vital statistics and market data, and professional development workshops. We additionally provide website development, an online calendar featuring training provided by city based partners and an online business directory featuring local businesses.
STORE FACADE REDEVELOPMENT
In 2005 the EBOL received a grant from the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to provide technical assistance (facade redevelopment) to small businesses in the Brightwood community of Northwestern D.C. The improvements strengthen existing businesses, and includes a job creation scheme that employs local residents.
As a community based entity we are committed to ensuring that our entire community benefits from the investment in The Beacon Center and the economic benefits that it will provide.
BEACON CLEAN TEAM
Emory Beacon of Light, Inc. in partnership with DSLBD manages the Upper Georgia Avenue and Kennedy Street Clean Teams. The commercial Clean Team Program services include:
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Removal of litter, graffiti, illegal posters and stickers, weeds, snow, and ice
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Recycling glass, aluminum and plastic items collected from sidewalks and gutters
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Maintenance of street trees through mulching, weeding and watering.
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Landscaping of planters, hanging baskets and tree boxes located in service areas
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Tracking and reporting public space defects via 311
2019 PROJECTS
YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
HEALTH CLINIC
CULINARY ACADEMY
As a part of our strategic planning process, we always look for new and innovative programming that will meet the needs of our local community and beyond. Planned for launch in 2019, these three programs address gaps that exist in our community around developing young leaders (outside of standard education), affordable health, and job creation/training for under-represented groups who are deemed to be unemployable. If you have skills and the energy to get involved or are interested in donating to support any of our programs, please contact us. We'd love to hear from you.