The Religious Coalition works to avoid and mitigate the consequences of poverty on Frederick County people. Community leaders observed individuals suffering and requested local religious churches to address homelessness in Frederick County in 1981.
The most vulnerable members in their community cannot satisfy their basic requirements, the most crucial of which is the emergency shelter. In response, these churches formed the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs.
History
In 1981, a coalition of 50 religious congregations, civic organizations, and municipal agencies banded together to address the issues of homelessness and poverty in Frederick County. The Coalition’s initial purpose was to provide emergency refuge for individuals in need.
The goal has expanded to include programs that assist people in moving past a crisis and regaining control of their life. By 1998, services had expanded to include energy and pharmaceutical aid and financial assistance with security deposits.
In June, the Religious Coalition was formally established. The first food banks open their doors. Between 1981 and 2001, six other food banks would join the Coalition’s network of food banks to help the County.
The Boy Scouts organize a “Scouting for Food” effort to benefit The Coalition’s clientele. The Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ opens the Cold Weather Shelter. The State of Maryland has helped to establish a Fuel Fund.
Programs and results
What they aim to solve
They aim to avoid and relieve the impacts of poverty by responding to the emergency needs of Frederick County residents.
They provide services to the homeless and low-income individuals of Frederick County, MD.
Their programs
What are the organization’s current programs, how do they assess performance, and who do the programs serve?
Activities
Homeless Prevention
Many of us have a safety net in place in an emergency, but people in poverty frequently do not. A sickness, a change in employment, or the loss of childcare may all lead to a cascade of financial difficulties.
The Religious Coalition can provide security deposits to Frederick County individuals who are in danger of becoming or are presently homeless.
Before seeking help, the applicant must be a county resident. There is no assistance available for relocating to or from Frederick County.
Energy Assistance
They assist consumers in keeping the heat and lights on. The Coalition collaborates with First Energy and is the headquarters of the Frederick County Community Energy Fund, which is the primary source of Emergency Financial Assistance for Frederick County families facing cutoff letters and immediate loss of utilities.
Assistance is only available for utilities with termination notifications and does not cover security deposits or invoices that are just past due. The Coalition does not cover water bills.
Healthcare Assistance Programs
Every year, the Coalition provides life-saving medications to 200 people and dental aid to 125-150 people.
Prescription Assistance
Prescription assistance is provided through agreements with local pharmacies to aid with the expense of life-sustaining medicine.
Prescriptions must be filled at one of their affiliated pharmacies. Medications that are not available at their partner pharmacies will need to be transferred. Residents of Frederick County are eligible for assistance.
The Coalition provides help with both general and mental drugs.
Dental Assistance
The Religious Coalition offers emergency dental care for uncomplicated dental treatments such as tooth extractions and fillings.
Comprehensive treatments such as dental root canals or dentures may also be covered.
Rental Assistance Program
You may be eligible for Emergency Rental Assistance if you need help paying your rent or utility expenses. The Frederick County Government and The Religious Coalition for Human Need assist tenants who require assistance.
Also Read: Asheboro, NC Department of Social Services (DSS)
After Shelter Programs
Their clients can begin rebuilding with a helpful hand. Every day, they see tears of despair and desperation, but also tears of delight.
Some women and men come into these shelters with nowhere else to turn after being released from prison or other unsafe situations.
But they gradually achieve their victories: they acquire a job, work with their case managers, grow, and find stability. Their customers recover from addictions and mental health concerns, escape domestic abuse, and improve their lives.
After the Storm
After the Storm is a one-year rehousing program that assists persons in transferring from shelter to permanent housing, clients who have secured a lease and permanent housing and have completed the shelter program requirements receive ongoing case management support, budget coaching, possible security deposit assistance, energy, rental, and prescription assistance, family mentoring and training, and a car referral through Second Chance Garage.
Getting Ahead
This is a 16-session immersion workshop that allows participants to construct their customized plans to help them create a path toward self-sufficiency.
The program assists people in identifying and recognizing their talents and establishing a solid support network of resources to assist them in achieving their own goals. Each participant will complete a self-evaluation as well as a vision board.
Program for Christmas Assistance
This year, give the pleasure of Christmas to families. They may be able to aid you if you need financial support to place gifts beneath the tree this December.
Donate a gift card now if you want to help make Christmas unforgettable for their needy families!
Make a monetary donation or sponsor a family.
Consider contributing a gift card or sponsoring a family this holiday season. Gift certificates and presents must be received by December 17 to be distributed to families on time.
Emergency Shelter Programs
Don’t be fooled by exterior looks; a wealthy heart may be hidden behind a poor garment. Their clients can begin rebuilding with a helpful hand.
Every day, they see tears of despair and desperation, but also tears of delight. Some women and men come into these shelters with nowhere else to turn after being released from prison or other unsafe situations.
But they gradually achieve their victories: they acquire a job, work with their case managers, and grow and find stability. Their customers recover from addictions and mental health concerns, escape domestic abuse, and improve their lives.
Employment
Part-Time Shelter Aides
They are searching for energetic and caring people to work as Part-Time Shelter Aides at the Alan P. Linton, Jr. Emergency Housing and the Emergency Family Home.
Main duties include:
- Interact with and monitor program participants.
- They are enforcing rules and boundaries.
- Assist various residents with extra support while they work on defined case plans.
