There are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit; and there are varieties of service but the same Lord. • 1 Corinthians 12:4-5
What is CS&A?
The Community Service and Action Committee encourages participation in and support of charitable organizations in our local community. Using funds from our annual auction as well as the Immanuel benevolence budget, the Committee disburses funds to a variety of local outreach organizations. We also organize collections of goods to provide supplies to groups we help support.
We welcome new ideas and opportunities to support local charities or service organizations. Volunteer for a specific project (below) or join our committee and attend monthly meetings to help direct our outreach efforts. We’d love to have you join us. Please feel free to contact the church office for more information on how to become involved.
Community Service Organizations We Support
- Alternative House (http://www.thealternativehouse.org/) has multiple programs to further their mission to transform the lives of at-risk children, youth and their families. There are opportunities to volunteer at the Emergency Teen Shelter, Culmore and Annandale centers and with the Assisting Youth Mothers and Homeless Youth Initiative programs.
- Bright Beginnings (http://www.brightbeginningsinc.org/) is a child and family development center for homeless infants, toddlers and preschoolers and their families which provides a safe, nurturing educational environment to prepare children for kindergarten. They welcome volunteers to assist in the classrooms.
- Bethany House (http://www.bhnv.org/) provides emergency shelter and supportive services to victims of domestic violence throughout Northern Virginia and the surrounding DC metro communities.
- Capital Area Food Bank (http://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/) aims to feed those who suffer from hunger in the Washington metro area by acquiring food and distributing it through its network of partner agencies; and educating, empowering and enlightening the community about the issues of hunger and nutrition.
- Chesterbrook Residences (http://www.chesterbrookres.org/cb2/index.html) is an assisted-living facility with affordable as well as market rate units. Members of Immanuel serve on the Board of Directors along with representatives of Lewinsville Presbyterian, Temple Rodef Shalom and National Capital Presbytery.
- Children of Mine (http://childrenofminedc.org/) is an after-school program providing tutoring, enrichment, clothing and food to children in Anacostia.
- Christ House (http://christhouse.org/) provides health care for homeless men and women in DC and provides assistance to help them break the cycle of homelessness.
- Clergy Crisis Fund of National Capital Presbytery provides assistance in response to crises in the lives of clergy and other church professionals and employees.
- Courtney’s House (http://www.courtneyshouse.org/) works to protect children from sexual exploitation with programs to rescue children being trafficked, assist survivors with healing and recovery and raise community awareness.
- DC Central Kitchen (http://www.dccentralkitchen.org/) produces 5000 meals a day, which are distributed to local shelters, transitional homes and other non-profit agencies. Other programs include Culinary Job Training, Food Recycling, School Food and Healthy Corners.
- Emmanuel Food Bank of Beltsville (http://www.emmanuelumcbeltsville.net/ministry/emmanuel-foodbank) distributes food, clothing and baby supplies once a month to families in the Beltsville area. They also provide an emergency food pantry.
- Fairfax CASA (http://www.fairfaxcasa.org/) provides advocates to abused and neglected children who are under court protection in Fairfax County.
- Falls Church-McLean Children’s Center (http://fcmlcc.org/) provides a high-quality education for children ages two through six. At least 60% of the children are eligible for financial assistance from the county or state. Children with special needs have access to speech and occupational therapists and trained counselors.
- Food for Others (http://www.foodforothers.org/) works to alleviate hunger in Northern Virginia by distributing food through its warehouse, at low-income neighborhood street locations and through partner agencies.
- Habitat of Northern Virginia/McLean Interfaith Coalition is a collaboration of congregations in theMcLean area that are committed to sponsoring the building of houses in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia (http://habitatnova.org/).
- Hopecam (http://www.hopecam.org/) provides tablet computers, web cameras and Internet connections to children with cancer to enable them to remain connected with their school classroom activities.
- Jubilee Jobs (http://www.jubileejobs.org/) provides clients with job preparation, placement and retention services and support for advancement toward earning a living wage.
- Just Neighbors (http://www.justneighbors.org/) provides immigration legal services to low-income immigrants.
- Langley Residential Support Services (http://www.langleyresidential.org/) serve adults with intellectual disabilities, their families and the community by providing comprehensive residential and community support services that will enable them to live valued, productive lives.
- Mary House (http://www.maryhouse.org/) provides transitional housing services, shelter and support programs to homeless and struggling immigrant and refugee families in Northeast DC and Takoma Park.
- Nick’s Place (http://www.nicksplace.org/) is a recovery house for young men struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. This organization focuses on relapse prevention through mental, physical and spiritual education and participation in 12-step and in-house programs.
- Onesimus Ministries (http://onesimus-ministries.org/welcome.html) provides ministry to those who are incarcerated and their families as well as ministry after release from incarceration.
- PRS, Inc. (http://prsinc.org/) provides services to individuals living with mental illness, substance use disorders, mild intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders to help them achieve safety, personal wellness, recovery and community integration.
- Rebuilding Together (http://rebuildingtogether.org/) provides low-income homeowners with critical home repairs, accessibility modifications and energy-efficient upgrades.
- Share of McLean (http://www.shareofmclean.org/) helps low-income families in McLean and the surrounding area through their food pantry, clothing room, and furniture, computer, back-to-school and other programs. This past year, these programs helped over 1500 families.
- Shelter House (http://www.shelterhouse.org/) provides crisis intervention, safe housing and supportive services to homeless families and victims of domestic violence in Fairfax County; they operate the Patrick Henry and Katherine K. Hanley family shelters and Artemis House, the domestic violence shelter.
- Shepherd’s Center of McLean-Arlington-Falls Church (http://www.shepherdscentermcafc.org/) is a volunteer-based, interfaith organization dedicated to assisting senior adults 50 and over in maintaining an independent and safe lifestyle. They provide transportation to medical appointments, companion shoppers, helpers for minor home repairs, and friendly callers and visitors.
- Speech & Language Center of Northern Virginia (http://www.slcnv.org/) was established in 1970 as a community outreach program of Immanuel and specializes in serving children ages eighteen monthsthrough teens. There is both an outpatient therapy program and as well as an inclusive developmental preschool program with school-based therapy services.