Local interfaith organization seeks additional church partners

Staying connected to resources is crucial for families in Charles County who experience unfortunate circumstanc- es. For Waldorf families experiencing emergency situations, help can also be found through the Interfaith Community Connection (ICC).

The ICC is an multi-denominational organization that helps provide financial assistance with delinquent utility bills, prescription medications and rent for those in need in the greater Waldorf area.

“I had a vision, a mis- sion, to carryout the responsibility of the agency and to look after people who could not look after themselves,” said Elsie Draughn, president of the ICC board of directors. “I think God has called me to do this and that is what I intend to do.”

But the organization cannot do it alone. The ICC is seeking support from local churches and

community members to support its efforts to develop and coordinate a multi-denominational network of churches who address the concerns of the needy, consolidate resources of the partic- ipating churches, and efficiently and effectively serve the poor and needy residents of Charles County.

The congregations that currently participate in the mission of the ICC (financially, or have members serving on the board of directors) are Christian Unity Baptist, First Baptist Church of St. Charles, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Peace Lutheran Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

“When we first start- ed we were able to help people and families in Bryantown, Indian Head, Waldorf and White Plains, but because of the number of organizations that we lost in those ar- eas, we now only have six congregations that are in Waldorf,” said ICC Director Elsie Draughn. “This has been difficult because sometimes we get a lot of referrals, but some of our board mem- bers have health issues so they can’t do some of the things they did in the past. Now we are looking for individuals to help us carry out some of these duties and our mission.”

The multi-denomina- tional network began in September 1997 with 10 churches providing one or more volunteer members to be on the ICC board of directors. The faith-based charitable organization is staffed by volunteers, who give their time and talents by interviewing clients, providing general support, setting up ap-

pointments, conducting interviews, reviewing and verifying clients’ requests for assistance and helping to make final determina- tions for providing assis- tance.

The organization also works with the Charles County Department of Social Services, LifeStyles Inc., Charles County Salvation Army, the Children’s Aid Society and Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee Inc.

Draughn said with the help of partners and contributors, the ICC has helped 115 families this year.

“Years ago, when we had more resources and churches across Charles County, we’ve helped a total of 337 families,” Draughn said. “Some churches dropped out because they were not able to contribute financially anymore which we can understand, but we would like more help ensuring these families receive assistance with food, clothes and other contributions.”

Marilyn Jumalon, a member of the ICC board of directors, said when she retired six years ago she wanted to be “useful,” so she began to volunteer with the ICC.

“The ICC is extremely useful to the community because we witness being able to save someone from being evicted, losing their home, and it’s very rewarding,” Jumalon said. “A lot of folks can’t make it on the income that they have and while trying to balance that, they sometimes end up not having enough to either pay the rent, or they’ve been sick and had no medical coverage at work and they end up getting behind in payments.”

Waldorf resident Darlene Long said her bills were more than she expected one month and the ICC was able to assist

with her receiving donations toward her monthly rent. She went through an interview with the organization in order to receive more than $200 worth of donations for her past-due bill.

“They really helped me get myself together so that I didn’t have to lose my apartment,” Long said. “I was very grateful because sometimes you just don’t know if you’re going to get the help you need.”

Jumalon said the organization is a partnership to satisfy financial assistance needs in the community and carry out God’s work.

“It’s about all of us working together to get the job done,” Jumalon said. “We find that working with other churches really helps us to reach people in the community who have no idea that there are resources out there that can help.”

For information on how to assist the ICC and its mission, contact Elsie Draughn at 301-374-9028.