More than a dozen Shepherdstown eateries and another dozen musicians are teaming up to benefit Friends in Action of the Eastern Panhandle, a regional nonprofit organization that helps low-income families get a leg up. All you have to do to help—on this day at least—is to eat, drink, and enjoy the music. The action takes place September 8, from 7 until 10 pm at and around the War Memorial Building on German Street.
Tickets are $30, available by calling 876-8500 or by visiting JCooper Gallery or Ellsworth Music. Shepherdstown restaurants and caterers who are supplying the goodies are Blue Moon Café, Ellsworth Catering, Yellow Brick Bank, Mecklenburg Inn, Stone Soup Bistro, Bavarian Inn, Orioles Nest, Shepherd University, Sweet Shop Bakery, Tony’s, China Kitchen, Three Onions, Shaharadzade’s Tea Room, Sebastian’s, and The Press Room. A big hand also for the musicians who will keep the evening rocking: Lisa, Sam, and Friends; Students of Ellsworth Music; Dave Hines, Todd Coyle, Steve Kemp, Andrea Hines, and more.
Friends In Action of the Eastern Panhandle is a goal and action oriented mentoring program that uses the power of friendship to bring about positive changes in the lives of low-income families in the Eastern Panhandle. Founded in October 2004, Friends in Action is a network of people of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds whose common interest is to provide caring outreach to needy families in our community. To provide individual support to families, Friends in Action recruits, trains and facilitates the linking of volunteer mentor teams (made up of 5 to 8 volunteers) with low-income families who wish to improve their lives and the lives of their children. Each mentor team makes a commitment to work with a family for 12 months to help them identify their strengths, set and work toward attainable goals, and achieve greater independence and personal well-being for themselves and their children.
Mentor teams provides friendship, support, guidance, advocacy, tutoring and more to help the family maximize its independence and reach goals, that without support can seem insurmountable. The team concept is much like a network of friends or an extended family, each bringing different, but equally valuable gifts, talents and skills to the relationship.
Friends in Action at Work
You can help by gathering a team of six to eight people who share your concern for the poor; people who would like to be part of the solution to the problems in our society. Invite them to meet and we will present the program and begin building a Friends in Acation mentor team.
Initially two team members are introduced to the family by a Friends in Action staff member. Within the first month they in turn introduce the other team members to the family. It is important that the entire team meets the family during the first month, as this is when the tone of the team-family relationship is set.
As the relationship develops every team member sees what strengths he or she has to offer in helping the family to reach its goals. Each team member may choose to focus attention on an individual family member or a particular goal.
The Freinds in Action program is not meant to be a financial resource for its families. County and local resources should always be utilized first.
FIAEP offers training in the use of County resources and in the helping skills you will need to work with a family. FIAEP also serves as liaison between the teams and County agencies. The FIA staff will help by providing direction, referrals, and follow-up support as needed. Your own congregation or organization will be supportive in many ways.
The mentor time required will vary depending upon the circumstances and upon your availability and desires. Initially, there may be a flurry of activity if there are immediate needs to be addressed. Then, the action should simmer down to a very manageable level. Typically team members give approximately three to five hours per month. Remember that you have your whole team for assistance and support.
