User:Smelrays/Sandbox
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Agape House
Mission and History
The Agape House has a mission to provide food, clothing, shelter, and the Gospel of Christ to disadvantaged persons in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. Founded in 1983, by Carol De Borja, it was originally designed as a safe house for children while their parents underwent rehabilitation treatment for substance abuse. It existed for 14 years in this capacity, raising over 500 children, providing love, food, clothing, and private education, sponsored through private donations. Without this care, parents of these children would not have been able to receive treatment and their children would have continued to suffer neglect, many of them entering foster care. In 1995, the Agape House reorganized its operations adding programs for both children and adults. A full service food pantry, weekly feedings, adult small group sessions, long term adult housing, computer lab, and chapel services. At the present, the Agape House has continued to see a significant rise in the number of citizens in need of emergency services. We have observed an increased need for financial assistance with evictions, utilities, school supplies, and value-based activities for teens. Our aim is to build an organization that meets those needs, as well as train each program participant to become a self sufficient part of his/her community.
Programs and Services
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Educational Programs |
Support Groups |
Holiday Meals |
Summer Learning Programs |
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Feeding Programs |
Computer Lab |
Emergency Housing |
Chapel Services |
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In accordance with our mission, the Agape runs several programs dedicated to helping approximately 150 children and 225 adults regularly.
Educational Programs - Our educational programs are designed to increase opportunities for children to learn and develop in a safe drug-free environment. Registered age groups range from 5-18. There is an after-school, weekend program, and summer enrichment activities for children of all ages. Our part-time Family Preservation Specialist and volunteer tutors assess the progress of each child. Meals, arts, games and outdoor playtime are provided daily. Meals are provided for all under-aged programming, as well as other basic services, including hygiene care. This includes laundering children's clothing when adequate facilities are lacking at home.
Support Groups for men and women - Each Wednesday at 5pm, participating men and women are divided by gender into separate groups. This gives each gender an opportunity to share past and present experiences and discuss plans for the future. Each group is facilitated by an experienced volunteer. This volunteer facilitates the group with solutions and actions steps to prevent reoccurring obstacles for participating group members.
Holiday Meals - Free food items to prepare Thanksgiving meals are distributed each year to low-income, seniors, and single parent homes. In addition, toys, clothing, and shoes are provided for up to 200 children each Christmas season.
Summer Learning Youth Enrichment Program - Five weeks each summer the Agape House sponsors a summer youth camp. Each year an estimated 100 children attend. Weekly field trips to the Baltimore Zoo, Maryland Science Center, and Six Flags America give children attractive ways to learn through pleasurable exercise.
Comprehensive Feeding Program - Within a year, the Agape House provides some 10,400 freshly prepared warm meals, to children and adults in need. The food pantry provides an additional 4160 bags of food a year to community members in need. It also provides an additional 250 bags that it delivers to five area senior citizens complexes including St. James Terrace and Hollins House. Workshops on proper nutrition and food preparation are provided quarterly for all food recipients.
Computer Lab - One of the cornerstones of the children's programming is the Computer Lab. Run by volunteers from the Linux Users' Group; the lab has been open to children six afternoons per week since 1999. This lab was highlighted in the article, "Geeks to the Rescue", published in the December 1999 issue of the Baltimore Magazine.
Emergency Housing Program - Residentially, the Agape House provides shelter to homeless mother and their children. Each family is assessed by a social worker for childcare, medical, substance abuse treatment, or other counseling needs. Each resident sets a list of goals to aid them in their return to a self-sufficient life-style.
Sunday and Wednesday Chapel Services - Each Sunday and Wednesday, Executive Director, Reverend Edward G. Robinson, speaks to program participants about issues plaguing their lives and communities. He offers permanent solutions to the daily struggles for all individuals present.
Following these worship services, a hot meal and bags of groceries are distributed to community members that attend service.
Holiday Gifts for the Needy - Every Christmas two to three hundred low-income and poverty level families receive clothing, undergarments, and toys as they celebrate the birth of Christ.
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