As a ministry-based organization, we aim to use our values of love and kindness to support our clients to the fullest extent and engage our community in joining this effort.
Motivated by a biblical imperative, JCCM engages the community to provide physical and spiritual support for those in crisis situations and seeks to move those in difficult circumstances to independence and security.
For years, JCCM has devoted attention and resources to short-term emergency assistance. Currently, we are moving towards activities that will help clients find more permanent solutions.
In order to accomplish this movement to greater self-sufficiency, JCCM
Spends more time with each client during the initial interview process
Requires proof/documentation of such things as income, family size, and circumstances
Requires clients to take advantage of training opportunities to develop additional life skills.
A variety of life skill opportunities are in place to help with the move beyond emergency to solution in the areas of budget and financial planning, food budgeting and planning, problem solving, time management, and pre-employment activities. Over time, we will continue to add more services and programs to support our clients.
Jefferson County Community Ministries got its start in September 1982 with a covenant between six Charles Town churches: Zion Episcopal, Asbury United Methodist, St.Thomas Lutheran, Charles Town Presbyterian, Charles Town Baptist, and Liberty Christian Fellowship. The goal was to create a more organized and efficient way to help people in need in Jefferson County.
In 1983, we began services in three different locations. The office area for interviewing clients was located at the Zion Episcopal Parish House, the clothing closet was located at Charles Town Presbyterian Church, and the food pantry was located at the Good Brothers Garage/Warehouse.
In 2000, we purchased the former J.C. Penney Store in downtown Charles Town where we had more space and were able to consolidate our services into one central location.
As we have grown from the original six churches to close to 50, so have our services. We continue our safety-net assistance of food, clothing, and limited financial aid for rent eviction, utilities termination, medicine, cooking and heating fuel, emergency shelter, and gasoline. We are constantly adding new services and methods to help our neighbors find more permanent solutions to their needs.
The building that JCCM resides in today is rich with the history of downtown Charles Town, West Virginia. A significant Civil War location, our town has relevance in American history books and was originally founded by Charles Washington, first president George Washington’s youngest brother. Just up the street, the famous John Brown was tried at the Charles Town courthouse for his involvement in the raid at Harpers Ferry.
To gain more insight on our humble beginnings, one of our helpful JCCM volunteers was tasked with researching our building history and the chronicles of the surrounding area. By gathering information sourced from social media sites, an assessment of the local landscape, and the nearby Jefferson County Museum, our volunteer was able to piece together the slideshow below to account for a timeline of our building’s history.
Jefferson County Community Ministries was founded in 1983 by a group of five local churches. By banning together, they shared a combined mission to make a lasting difference in the Jefferson County community. Our goals since our inception have stayed true to our roots with three main objectives:
1. To enable self-sufficiency in each person we serve
2. To empower our clients to render permanent solutions in order for them to attain personal goals
3. To prevent homelessness in our community, and beyond, to the best of our ability
Executive Director
Assistant Director
Food Pantry Coordinator
Intake Coordinator
Case Management Coordinator
Administrative Assistant
Doctor
Case Manager
Case Manager