Welcome the Homeless and the Mission

We were disheartened to read the comments by Charles Reed, an Advisory Neighborhood Commission chairman, concerning the unpopularity of Central Union Mission in the Logan Circle area ["Neighborhood Unites in Opposing Shelter; Residents Fear Proposal for NW Homeless Center Will Reduce Home Values," Metro, May 29].

As residents of 14th and R streets, we value the mission's strong commitment to public service and we are proud to call it -- and the people it serves -- our neighbors.

ANDREW WESTBURY

ANYA McMURRAY

Washington

It seems ironic that on Memorial Day The Post wrote about neighborhood opposition to relocating Central Union Mission in the Columbia Heights-Petworth area of Northwest Washington.

So much of the official rhetoric that day centered on our gratitude to those who made freedom possible in our country. Yet here we are trying to bar from our midst an organization whose clients include so many of those who have found themselves traumatized by one of America's wars.

Buried in that article is a mention of some in Columbia Heights and Petworth who see the work of Central Union Mission as important and acceptable. As a faith-based community that has been in Petworth for 20 years, we add our voices to that sentiment. Indeed, organizations similar to Central Union Mission have existed in this neighborhood for many years without the negative effects that many who oppose the mission fear.

As property values in our area rise, due chiefly to access to Metro, we have the opportunity to reach out to these less fortunate sisters and brothers and make our gentrifying neighborhood a model of what America once was -- a place of liberty and justice for all.

JOSEPH NANGLE

Member

Assisi Community

Washington