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The Sussex County Community Outreach Program helps families and individuals overcome obstacles in order for them to become self-sufficient. Established in 1988 by St. Peters Episcopal Church in Lewes, the program has assisted individuals and families in Sussex County, regardless of race, sexual orientation or religious affiliation.
To locate those in need, the program seeks referrals from social workers and nurses at local schools, the Sussex Consortium, State Service Centers, the Lewes-Rehoboth Association of Churches' "Lend a Hand Program," as well as from inquiries or referrals to the St. Peter's church office. Once the needs are clearly defined, program volunteers coordinate assistance from local shelters,food distributors, thrift shops, Lend a Hand, state service centers as well as individual service providers such as doctors, lawyers, dentists, electricians, day care providers, nurses, builders,realtors, and other like professionals.
The program's volunteers donate their time and talent, remaining connected to the individuals or families seeking help to make certain all one-time needs are met and until the end goal of self sufficiency is achieved. There are no administrative expenses or staff salaries for this outreach effort. All donations to the program are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Success stories
Over the past 22 years, the program has assisted countless individuals and families. Recent success stories include:
* Assisted a single mother of six in obtaining a nursing degree at Delaware Technical and Community College through supplementing tuition, car insurance, utilities and laundromat monies.
* Provided mortgage and car payments along with referrals to food banks and state services for a woman and her two children. The father, arrested by the INS for illegal immigration, originally entered the country with his parents at age six.
* Provided rental money, obtained furniture donations and recruited manpower to move a young man and his son to Lewes for employment and education opportunities.
* Assisted a returning Iraqi war veteran with a security deposit and first month's rent in addition to solicitation of furniture donations for his new apartment.
* Monitored a mentally challenged man to make certain medications were taken and bills were paid.
* Purchased a new refrigerator for a man on disability income.
* Secured a donation of a professional sewing machine for a woman who is a seamstress and needed the equipment to become self-sufficient.
* Provided rent and utility assistance to a family whose father lost his job due to the economic downturn.
* Helped a Habitat for Humanity homeowner with mortgage assistance when she lost her job.
* Assisted a family with an unusually high electric bill to avoid disconnection because of inability to pay and provided electrical service repair to a malfunctioning hot water heater.
* Bought and installed fencing for a family with an autistic son who needed a secure, outdoor play area.
* Funded school trips for a special needs child.
* Helped numerous families with electric bills, land rents, telephone and various other one-time needs.
* Provided Christmas gifts for 35 children from 20 families.
* Contributed $500 to Friends After School at Milton Elementary (FAME) a summer program for at-risk children.
For more information about the Sussex County Outreach Program, please contact the Program committee by calling 302 645-8479.
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