Melwood Responds to Navy Yard Incident

UPPER MARLBORO, MD – September 16, 2013 – According to news reports, shots were fired at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday, September 16th at approximately 8:20 a.m. Melwood, a local nonprofit providing job opportunities for people with differing abilities, employs approximately 74 people at the Navy facility in Washington DC. Melwood was informed that seven of the 74 employed at the Navy Yard, were in the building where the shooting took place. Of the seven employees involved, six were safely escorted off the premises; and one employee is still at the facility, currently on lockdown. All of the remaining Melwood staff and contract workers at the Washington Navy Yard will remain on site in accordance with the emergency lock-down procedures that military officials initiated immediately following the shooting.

“We are deeply saddened by the events that have taken place this morning at the Washington Navy Yard.” said Cari DeSantis, President and CEO of Melwood. “Melwood is now in the process of determining the exact location of each employee; we will continue to closely monitor the situation in order to ensure their safety.”

Melwood has provided employment at the Navy Yard since 2002. The nonprofit currently performs recycling and custodial services at the facility. In the coming weeks, Melwood will also provide crisis counseling for the employees who may have been affected by today’s events.

About Melwood

Melwood is a dynamic 501(c)(3) organization that creates jobs and opportunities to improve the lives of people with differing abilities. Now celebrating its 50th year, Melwood supports approximately 1900 people with differing abilities in the greater Washington, DC area through career training, job placement, individual support, and recreation according to their individual preferences. Melwood provides employment opportunities for more than 750 people with differing abilities through partnerships with community employers and through the AbilityOne Program, which pairs federal agencies with approved organizations to provide job opportunities for people with differing abilities. For more information, visit Melwood on Facebook or www.melwood.org.

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