From Day Shelter to Grantmaker: How Rachael's Women's Center Evolved to Continue Serving DC's Homeless Community

For over three decades, Rachael's Women's Center was more than just a day shelter—it was a lifeline. The statistics tell a remarkable story of impact: over 1 million meals served, 162,750 showers provided, and more than 75,000 women served since opening its doors. The center offered everything from case management and counseling to job training programs, computer classes, and connections to permanent housing.

In 2015, after 36 years of operation, Rachael's Women's Center closed its doors. But rather than simply disbanding, the board made a transformative decision: they would use the proceeds from the sale of their properties to establish Rachael's Fund through the Greater Washington Community Foundation.

The transition represented a fundamental shift in how the organization would continue its mission. Instead of directly serving women experiencing homelessness, they would now support other organizations doing similar work across DC. The board remained committed to the cause that had driven them for decades.

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Source: Greater Washington Community Foundation