Shifting Streets, Unchanging Struggles

Standing with Cecil Residents — Change is Inevitable, but So is Community

If you’ve worked in or around social services or rely on them for anything, you are likely already feeling the impact of the chaos in Washington, DC in the last month. Policies shift, budgets shrink or grow depending on who’s in charge, and support services can disappear overnight. One of the first things to go was our new source for dog and cat food.

You may recall in November, a service provider changed their policies without notice, leaving nearly 3 dozen dogs and cats without a reliable source for food. We put the call out for help and you stepped up in near-miraculous ways! If you want to help with pet food again, we welcome anything you can do! We are back on the journey to find a new provider for our residents’ companion animals. I’ll keep you posted!

But this isn’t just about pet food. Across the board, we’re seeing reductions in services that were already stretched thin. Less food assistance. Fewer supportive resources. Programs we depended on suddenly finding themselves out of funding or facing cuts so deep they might as well not exist. And this is just the beginning.

To help fill the gap in services we’ve launched a new program — Friends of the Cecil. The Friends of the Cecil isn’t about waiting for someone else to fix the problem. It’s about us taking care of each other, one small act at a time. You are invited to be involved, whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word.

As a Friend of the Cecil, you’re not just supporting our work—you’ll be part of it. You’ll get exclusive resident stories, be the first to hear about volunteer opportunities, and have real chances to make an impact at the Hotel Cecil as our programs grow.

There’s a way for everyone to help, no matter your budget or schedule. And while I have your attention—we urgently need help stocking our food bank shelves. Will you host a canned-good and shelf-stable food collection box at your workplace, neighborhood, or place of worship? A full box means healthier meals and greater stability for our residents.

Let’s take care of each other. Drop me a line at revdylan@oldcatholicusa.org to get involved or host a collection box.

At the end of the day, we’re all in this together. The systems may be unpredictable, but our commitment to each other doesn’t have to be. Whether it’s pet food, a stocked pantry, or just showing up when it counts, every small action adds up to something bigger. That’s what Hope, Healing, Home is all about—creating stability in uncertain times, offering kindness when it’s needed most, and making sure no one feels forgotten.

If you’re able to chip in (or by Venmo here)—however that looks for you—we’d love to have you alongside us. And if nothing else, keep an eye out. The more we pay attention, the more we can do.