Celebrating Five Years of the Washington Home Center

Dear Friends, 

Five years ago today, we opened the doors of Iona’s Washington Home Center. It began as a bold vision, made real through a community-led capital campaign, and has grown into a vital and vibrant space for older adults and caregivers in D.C.’s Ward 8. Opening this center during a pandemic was a true act of resilience. And today, the Washington Home Center proudly stands as the only medical adult day center in Southeast D.C., offering health services, nutritious meals, compassionate care, and connection to older adults living with cognitive and physical impairments across the Anacostia River. 

Thanks to your support, we’ve expanded our team of dedicated staff members and currently serve 42 older adults living with a form of dementia each week. Over the past five years Iona has impacted nearly 200 lives of individuals living with dementia and their family caregivers. These numbers tell a powerful story of growth, but the true impact lies in the moments of joy, connection, and caring happening each day inside the center’s walls.   

As we mark this 5-year anniversary, we know our work is far from finished. Our nation’s population is aging rapidly, with 11,000 people turning 65 every day, and by 2060, experts project 1 million new dementia diagnoses each year. Senior hunger is also on the rise, expected to affect more than 9 million people by 2050. If D.C. were a state, it would rank among the highest in the country for both senior hunger and dementia prevalence. 

Iona is the only organization in not only Ward 8, but in the entire District, that is building an ecosystem of care to address these urgent needs. 

 Together, we’ve accomplished so much, but meeting the challenges ahead will require all of us to act. 

That’s why we’re inviting you to join us on Wednesday, August 20 for Iona’s Giving Day fundraiser to benefit the Washington Home Center. Your gift will be MATCHED and will help us continue to meet the growing needs of our community and ensure older adults have access to the care, programs, and support they deserve. 

Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to five incredible years—and many more to come. 

P.S. Every gift makes a difference! Mark your calendar for Wednesday, August 20 and help us celebrate five years of the Washington Home Center by investing in its future. Together, we can ensure older adults across the Anacostia River continue to thrive.