Affiliated Programs

Birthright

Birthright is an international organization with local chapters that take a “non-moralistic, nonjudgmental” approach towards helping women through their pregnancy dilemmas.  The Charles Town Crisis Pregnancy Center seeks to reach out to those in our area, and St. James supports this outreach.  It is the right of every mother to give birth and the right of every child to be born.  Through the use of free pregnancy tests, Birthright can help those who find themselves in unplanned pregnancy make a decision that both she and her baby can live with.  Birthright then refers the mother to any parish and community resources.

Members will assist the Director in providing advice, support, referrals, information and assistance to women in untimely pregnancy.

Contact Mimi Vanderhaven at birthright@stjameswv.org or call  (304) 724-7015.

Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle

Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle is a goal- and action-oriented mentoring program that uses the power of friendship to bring about positive change in the lives of low-income families in Jefferson County.  Volunteers from all faiths and ethnic backgrounds form mentor teams of 5-8 people and are linked for 1 year in a supportive relationship to a family in the community. The goals of the program are to help the family identify their strengths and develop attainable and manageable goals that guide them toward financial independence and personal well-being for themselves and their children.

As the relationship develops, every team member sees what strengths he or she has to offer in helping the family to reach its goals.  Each team member may choose to focus attention on a particular goal or a specific family member. Mentor teams may offer support, guidance, and friendship in the following areas: Career and jobs, parenting, budgeting, housing, food, clothing, household goods, fun activities, celebrating birthdays and holidays, etc.

Contact Kalie Potter at (304) 728-5006.

Jefferson County Community Ministries (JCCM)

JCCM is a cooperative ministry of 50+ local churches that assists people in need.  Assistance is provided on a limited scale for short-term emergencies in an effort to enable people to work out permanent solutions for meeting their own needs.  Food, clothing, eviction prevention, utility termination bills, prescriptions, heating fuel, etc. are the types of assistance provided most often.

Volunteers are needed in various areas including the Clothing Closet, Food Pantry, and office administration. Other volunteer needs are for specific projects such as Christmas Adopt-a-Family and School Supplies.

Contact Bob Shefner at info@jccm.us or call  (304) 725-3186.