Steve and Theresa Mullen began working in the impoverished neighborhoods Southeast Washington, DC. The Mullens’ co-founded Kids’ Konnection Sidewalk Sunday School in 1987. Doors quickly opened to the community public housing. For the past Twenty one years Kids’ Konnection has been working in six communities east of the Anacostia River in Wards 7 & 8. These communities include: Barry Farms, Stoddert Terrace, Benning Terrace, Highland Dwellings, Lincoln Heights, and Woodland Terrace. Bringing youth together in common activities has promoted non-violence between communities that were previously warring with one another such as Lincoln Heights and Stoddert Terrace.  Each year, Kids Konnection provides needed supplies for the families of the children they serve. These supplies include Summer Camp, Back to School supplies, Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas presents. A choir and dance team was organized to provide additional training for the children. During the year Kids Konnection has provided emergency shelter for children whose parents are experiencing crisis. 

In 2000 the need for training of young people from 14 – 21 in job skills became urgent. Thus began the vision for the Gatepost and the further development of the children in these communities began as the Theresa and her daughters became more deeply involved with the individual families. In 2003, the Gatepost, Inc was established in response to the growing need of the community to provide job preparedness training to youth. 

In 2011, Steve Mullen passed away, Theresa and her daughters continue the work throughout DC public housing.  Teen age volunteers are provided with discipleship and training as Kids Konnection continues to provide services for young people. To the hopeless, Kids Konnection gives hope and assists them to become strong in their faith in Jesus Christ.  

The Future:  Purchase of 1306 Good Hope Road was completed in September 2004. Previously, this building was a bar and has been abandoned for several years. Fires, homeless people and vandals did damage to the building. It is in need of renovation to make way for a youth training center in food service, business management and entrepreneurship. 1306 is adjacent to the Gatepost Center at 1300 Good Hope Rd., and will increase the Gateposts ability to serve the community. This building is envisioned as an entrepreneur-training center and a cyber café for young people and their community in Anacostia to come, enjoy, learn and serve.

Training for young people 21 and above is scheduled to teach students urban ministry is planned for the year 2014.

Rev. Theresa Mullen
Executive Director - Kids Konnection

Rev. Theresa (Teri) Mullen, Executive Director for Kids Konnection has been active in ministry to the poor for over thirty years. She holds a Master’s degree in Christian Education from Regent University. Her ministry credentials are from Church of God, Cleveland TN. Her experiences in the inner-city of Washington, DC are filled with faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  She serves over 700 children in four locations in DC public housing. Rev. Mullen believes in raising up a mighty army of young people to serve Jesus Christ in this new Millennium.  Prayer and praise being the center of her life, she passes on to others the passion for intimacy with God and an intense desire to serve children. She has traveled extensively to the nations teaching children’s ministry. "Pastor Teri" is currently involved with establishing a church plant in Washington DC.  She also is involved in training leaders in children's ministry and urban ministry.