The vision of Fairlington is to create a 21st century campus in West End Alexandria that strengthens ministry and empowers our mission priorities of housing, food security, creation care, immigration. Throughout the year, there are numerous ways to serve within one of our four mission priorities.
Housing
RENTAL SECURITY DEPOSIT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (RSDAP)
Fairlington's Rental Deposit Assistance Program provides one time grants up to $300 toward a security deposit to help individuals experiencing homelessness or living on a low-income move to safe housing they can afford in Arlington and Alexandria. Even when someone qualifies for affordable housing they are often required to pay market rate security deposits which often range from $1,000 to $2,000 and can be a major barrier to securing housing. For more information or if you are a community service provider and would like to apply for a Rental Deposit Security Assistance grant for one of your clients, please email Carolyn Devilbiss at secdepositfumc@gmail.com.
HOUSEWARE PROGRAM
The Houseware Program which is located at Fairlington UMC, ALIVE! Housewares Program accepts donated housewares, including pots and pans, utensils, towels, sheets, blankets, dishes, and silverware. We need reular help with sorting and deliveries. This is a great opportunity for all ages including Youth and Young Adults. Contact FUMC Office, office@fairlingtonumc.org.
FURNITURE DELIVERY FUND
In conjunction with ALIVE!, volunteers pick up furniture from donors and deliver it to residents of Alexandria city two Saturdays a twice a year.
WEST END LAZARUS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
West End Lazarus Ministry provides emergency financial aid to people in the City of Alexandria who are in crisis situations; experiencing homelessness, poverty, the disability, and chronic unemployment. Volunteer counselors take phone calls, make referrals and provide financial assistance. Fairlington makes substantial financial contributions to the program. There are volunteer opportunities to be trained as a counselor. If you think you might be interested, please contact Melanie Gray At Christ Church Alexandria – mgray@historicchristchurch.org.
CARPENTER'S SHELTER
Fairlington has been providing meals for the Carpenter's Shelter on the 4th Saturday of the month for over 25 years. We are always looking for new cooks to join the team! Carpenter’s Shelter supports people experiencing and who are at risk for homelessness in achieving sustainable independence through shelter and housing placement, guidance, education, and advocacy. Please contact Barbara Gomez at, bgblank123@gmail.com if you are interested in this service opportunity.
Food Security
ALIVE!
ALIVE! (Alexandrians InVolved Ecumenically) is a nonprofit organization of volunteers from nearly 40 religious congregations, including Christ Church, working together to help those in need in Alexandria, VA. We support ALIVE's food ministry by collecting food each week. Donations of nonperishable foods may be dropped off in the church office or outside the sanctuary on Sunday mornings.
FARMERS MARKET GLEANING
Farmer’s Market Gleaning is an opportunity to collect leftover food from the Del Ray Farmer's Marker to be distributed during Last Saturday Food Distribution and the Home Deliveries Program. Meet at the Del Ray Farmer's Market 11:30am each Saturday to collect leftover food, drive it to the warehouse, unload it and sometimes sort it. This takes about 2 hours. If you are interested, contact Rolf Blank, rolfb444@gmail.com.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION POP-UP
On the third Saturday of each month, from 7:30 - 10 AM, Fairlington partners with ALIVE! to distribute food to our neighbors in need. A team of 6-8 volunteers are needed each month for this ministry. Sign up to volunteer online: SIGN UP HERE
MEALS ON WHEELS
We deliver meals monthly. Prepared meals are picked up and delivered to home-bound Alexandrians the third Wednesday morning of each month. Contact Barbara Glomb (barbaraglomb@comcast.net) for more information.
TEENS OPPOSING POVERTY
Several times a year, Fairlington's Student Ministry prepares a meal, packages supplies, and delivers food and items to those in need in downtown Washington, DC. For more information about this ministry, please contact Christian White: christian@fairlingtonumc.org.
Creation Care
CREATION CARE TEAM
Fairlington UMC has a Green Covenant, which means that Fairlington commits to care for God's Creation and participate in the healing of creation. Fairlington participates in this through learning and teaching, worship, implementing sustainable practices as a church and individuals, and through mission. Caring for Creation has done this through leading workshops, providing a water fountain with a water bottle refill station, purchasing and using cloth napkins, and creating and caring for native plant areas and gardens around the church. If this is an area of mission you are interested in, contact Doug Brown, dojabrown@hotmail.com.
ALIVE! GARDEN
The ALIVE! Garden is an organic vegetable garden located on Fairlington's playground. Food grown in the garden is donated to ALIVE! for distribution. Volunteering in the garden is a wonderful opportunity for all ages! To volunteer, contact Anne Wilson, wilsanne@gmail.com.
Immigration
JUST NEIGHBORS
Just Neighbors provides immigration legal services to low-income immigrants and refugees and seeks to foster mutual understanding among the immigrant community of Northern Virginia and the larger community in which they live. If you are interested in volunteering with Just Neighbors, contact Bryce Chadwick, brycechadwick@gmail.com.
Partnership Organizations
At Fairlington, we acknowledge that the work of the people of God is a communal effort. Our impact on our four missional areas is more significant when working with other organizations and churches. Below are a few of those groups we are honored to partner with.
