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The
People We Help
Approximately 70% of clients served at LCAC each month receive
food. We
are generally feeding families who would otherwise skip meals each
month if LCAC was not involved. Families may have enough for some
dinners, but would need to skip meals or have less food for each
family member.
In fiscal year 2007 Lorton Community Action Center assisted well over 2,000 people with food, clothing, emergency aid and referral services. (Individuals are counted once. Each may have returned many times to receive food).
Client Stories
(* - names have been changed to protect client confidentiality)
Victoria is a single mother with two children. She was working regularly and also received child support payments. A short time ago her child support suddenly stopped without warning. At the same time, her daughter needed surgery. Victoria had to take time off without pay to care for her daughter. Bills started to pile up and hospital bills began arriving. Suddenly she was unable to pay her debts. Victoria contacted LCAC when she received a disconnection notice from the electrical company: LCAC paid her electric bill of $339.52 to prevent disconnection. LCAC helped with food and also referred her to the Fairfax County Office of Family Services. We helped her to file a complaint against the father who was withholding child support. Victoria has since returned to work and is again able to manage her bills.
Gary is a 58-year-old widower. He has a 19-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old grandson. They had all been homeless for more than two years when they turned to LCAC. Gary started working as a contractor with a local construction company, but he had no place to live and no money for a rental security deposit. He and his family were living in a motel room, paying over $1000 a month. Gary was referred to, and accepted into, the Good Shepherd Housing program. LCAC assisted with a portion of the deposit. A short time later Gary and his family moved into their own apartment. LCAC continues to work with the family to make sure they will stay housed.
Anna is a single mother with two school aged children. She came to LCAC to request food. She had just lost her job and her unemployment benefits did not cover expenses. She also needed help in finding a new job. She had recently moved back to the U.S. from another country and her employment history was limited. She had no idea of how to begin her job search. Anna enrolled in LCAC’s job program. We helped her to write a resume, fill out job applications, hone her interview skills, and referred her to job fairs. LCAC also helped to pay her electric bill. Anna found a job paying $14 per hour and she is now able to cover the family’s expenses.
You can help families like Victoria’s, Gary’s and Anna’s by sending a check to LCAC, P.O. Box 154, Lorton, VA 22199 and by taking part in our Special Events. |
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