WASHINGTON — On most days, more than half of the customers at Union Station Shoe Shine in Washington’s main train hub are federal employees and others heading to Capitol Hill, who stop in for a $10 shine. So if the federal government were to shut down, the owner of the shop said he would inevitably see fewer customers stepping into one of his five chairs to have their boots, brogues or wingtips polished on their way to work. “It would be catastrophic because we’re still trying to recover from th
Once again, the florists, bars, gyms, cafes, dry cleaners and other small businesses that serve federal employees in the District of Columbia and its suburbs are bracing for an economic blow.
After many years of both professional and volunteer work with young adults with special needs, Beth Newton conceived the idea for a place where people with disabilities could gain steady work experience and serve the community with a smile.
Newton, who used to teach special education at Loudoun County Public Schools and most recently led the special needs ministry at Cornerstone Chapel, brought her idea to Paul Smith, founder and executive director of local nonprofit Tree of Life Ministries.
TOLâs several specialized branches include Still Waters, which cares for children of parents with special needs and where Newton volunteered for nine years.