FRIENDS IN ACTION OF THE EASTERN PANHANDLE
Teaching Life Lessons to Underprivileged Families
Serving Jefferson & Berkeley Counties in West Virginia
DID YOU KNOW THAT IN Berkeley County…
- 11% of all families with children under 18 years of age fall below the poverty level
- 21.9% of female head of households with children under 18 fall below the poverty level
- 46.9% of female head of households with children under the age of 5 are living below the poverty level
*According to the most recent US Census Bureau report
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
To help low- income families identify their strengths and develop attainable and
manageable goals that guide them toward greater self-sufficiency and personal well being
through mentoring friendships.
OUR COMMITMENT
Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle (FIAEP), founded in the Eastern Panhandle in 2004
is a program that uses the power of friendship to bring about positive changes in the lives of
families in need. FIAEP is a network of people of various faiths and ethnic backgrounds whose
common interest is to provide caring outreach to low-income families in our community. FIAEP
was incorporated in West Virginia and received 501(c)(3) status from the IRS in May 2005.
Friends in Action became a United Way partner agency in July of 2006
Families are introduced to FIAEP by a local social service agency. Each family is linked with a
mentor team, made up of 5-8 volunteers, for a period of one year. Mentors help families become more
independent and plant seeds of hope by offering support such as:
- serving as role models and providing emotional support,
- helping with budgeting and parenting skills,
- tutoring a child or helping a parent acquire a GED, or obtain a job,
- celebrating the good times and helping get past the rough spots.
EVERYONE CAN HELP
Your involvement can help guarantee our success in meeting our ambitious goals. We need the
community to help us reduce poverty one family at a time. There are many ways you can help:
- Become a mentor volunteer
- Provide financial support to foster program growth
- Designate Friends in Action when you contribute to United Way
- Set up a presentation (given by FIAEP Director) to your place of business, civic group, or congregation.
For additional information about volunteering, arrange for a presentation
or to make a financial donation contact:
Melissa Mallamas
PO Box 1720
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
(304)728-5012