United Communities Against Poverty Transitions Operation of Shepherd’s Cove Shelter After 24 Years of Service
Shelter operations will continue uninterrupted as UCAP deepens its focus on alleviating poverty, promoting self-sufficiency, and advancing economic stability
Capitol Heights, MD (June 30, 2026) – United Communities Against Poverty, Inc. (UCAP), the designated Community Action Agency serving Prince George’s County, today announced that effective July 1, 2026, Community Crisis Services, Inc. (CCSI) will assume operation of Shepherd’s Cove Shelter following coordination with Prince George’s County.
The shelter will continue operating its Capitol Heights location, ensuring uninterrupted services for the residents and families who depend on it.
The transition reflects UCAP’s strategic decision to strengthen and broaden its portfolio of anti-poverty programs, resources and services while ensuring Shepherd’s Cove residents continue receiving high-quality care.
For 24 years, UCAP has operated Shepherd’s Cove, providing far more than emergency shelter. Through compassionate care, comprehensive case management, permanent supportive and transitional housing placements, three daily meals, childcare, summer camp, housing navigation, and supportive services, the organization has helped thousands of Prince George’s County residents experiencing homelessness take meaningful steps toward stability and self-sufficiency.
In its 2025 Impact Report, UCAP noted the shelter served more than 500 individuals, provided more than 86,000 meals, helped 68 residents transition into stable housing, and supported 145 families through housing and related stabilization services.
“This transition marks the close of an important chapter in UCAP’s history, but not our commitment to the people of Prince George’s County,” said Rasheeda Jamison, President and CEO of UCAP. “For 24 years, Shepherd’s Cove has provided safety, stability, and a path forward for families facing the hardest moments of their lives. That legacy of compassion, dignity, and hope will always be part of UCAP’s story.”
In 2025, UCAP served 1,335 families and 3,192 individuals through its emergency food pantry, distributed 5,000 pantry bags, assisted 108 households through homeownership and mortgage counseling programs, weatherized 70 homes, supported 130 seniors through the Thrive Guaranteed Income Pilot, and distributed more than 30,700 diapers and nearly 2,000 menstrual hygiene products to families in need.
“Our mission to alleviate poverty in Prince George’s County is as strong today as ever,” Jamison added. “This transition allows us to deepen our investment in the programs that address the root causes of poverty, helping individuals and families not simply overcome crisis, but build lasting self-sufficiency.”
UCAP will continue working closely with Prince George’s County and CCSI over the coming weeks to ensure a seamless transition for residents, staff, and community partners.
For more information about UCAP’s programs or to support its mission, visit www.ucappgc.org.
About UCAP: United Communities Against Poverty, Inc. (UCAP) is one of Prince George’s County’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to alleviating poverty, promoting self-sufficiency, and creating pathways to economic opportunity. Since 1964, UCAP has empowered individuals and families through housing, economic development, education, workforce development, and supportive services that strengthen communities and transform lives.
Thrive Prince George’s is a two-year, $4 million guaranteed-income pilot that seeks to provide greater economic stability and mobility for families in Prince George’s County. The program, the first of its kind in the county, provides monthly payments of $800 to 50 youth (age 18-24) who have aged out of foster care and 125+ seniors (age 60+) for a 24-month period with no strings attached and no requirements tied to employment. Thrive Prince George’s is funded using both public and private philanthropic resources from the Greater Washington Community Foundation, Prince George’s County Executive and Council, and the Meyer Foundation.The Community Foundation will administer the Thrive Prince George’s pilot program in partnership with several nonprofit organizations, including:
United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP)- implementation partner for Seniors
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Prince George’s – implementation partner for Youth who have aged Out of Foster Care
Capital Area Asset Builders – Technical Assistance provider
Prince George’s Changemakers – Community Engagement/Advocacy
Studies have shown that modest guaranteed basic income pilots can decrease poverty by as much as 40%. Over 100 Guaranteed Income pilots are currently operating or have been implemented across the country and around the region – including in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, DC, and Montgomery County. Thus far, these pilots have proven that guaranteed income is one of the most promising approaches to increasing financial stability. The positive impact of guaranteed income has been studied for decades, with evidence indicating that monthly cash payments can reduce income volatility and support recipients in attaining full-time employment, greater housing stability, improved health outcomes, and more.
Senior Citizens (60+)
Seniors, particularly those on fixed incomes, are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet due to inflation, historical inequalities, the rising costs of healthcare, and ageism in the workplace. According to United for ALICE, 52% of seniors in Prince George’s County are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE)— meaning they earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county.Thrive Prince George’s will provide monthly payments for 125+
Seniors (60+) – with the goal of making the case for a more permanent and comprehensive investment in our Senior population, regionally. United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP) will oversee the application process and facilitate payments to participating Senior Citizens. Participating Seniors must be residents of Prince George’s County, within the ALICE population, and living in one of The Community Foundation’s Priority Neighborhoods (see chart above)
Youth Aged Out of Foster Care
For more information visit www.pgcasa.org/thrivegi
The purpose of guaranteed income programs is to help lift more families out of poverty by increasing their financial stability and helping to create more pathways to greater economic opportunity. These programs are designed to put unconditional cash directly in the hands of individuals and families that need it most, allowing them to make choices about how to improve their economic position and what they need to prosper. Guaranteed income does not replace existing supplemental or government benefits, but provides an extra boost that can lift people out of the safety net and into a more stable life.
Thrive Prince George’s will give participants increased flexibility and financial freedom so they can live with dignity and be empowered to overcome whatever barriers they may face – whether it is meeting basic needs, paying down a debt, moving into permanent housing, furthering their education to secure a better job, or to stop working a second job so they can spend more time with their families.
Seniors (Age 60+)
Eligible Seniors will be asked to fill out a brief application to determine program eligibility. This application will be posted to UCAP’s website soon. A reminder that applicants must be Prince George’s County residents within the ALICE population living within one of The Community Foundation’s Priority Neighborhoods (see chart above).
Youth Who Aged Out of Foster Care Between 2020 - 2022
There will be no application process for Youth Who Have Aged out of Foster Care. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will select eligible Youth from among their current service population.Those who have recently aged out of foster care or are in need of special advocates are encouraged to visit www.pgcasa.org/thrivegi for more information.
