FRIENDS IN ACTION OF THE EASTERN PANHANDLE

TEACHING LIFE LESSONS TO UNDERPRIVILEGED FAMILIES

We Serve 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 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     mmallamas@fiaep.org

  PO Box 1720

  Shepherdstown, WV 25443              

  304-728-5012