Clarksburg Mission

Outline of Christ-centered Services (2007 stats)

FED 3,000 meals per month, daily, to Mission residents and community residents

HOUSED people from 19 states

PROVIDED 8,856 overnight stays

EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE coached 37 individuals from homelessness to full employment

DAY CARE provided to support employment search for 130 children, ages 10 weeks to 14 years

GAVE MATERIAL AID to people from 23 West Virginia counties with 1,214 types of help

Cost of Services

In 2007, it cost the Mission around $10-12,000 per week to provide these services. Since then the soaring price of gasoline has hit us all. The Mission is no exception. At mid-summer 2008, the cost to run the Mission is closer to $12-14,000 per week.

Resident Profiles

23% were children	12% were veterans
53% of adults were male	21% were on parole or probation
47% of adults were female	32% have a criminal background
24% have a higher education	29% were diagnosed with mental illness
79% completed high school or GED	100% fit the scripture below

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.’ " Matthew 25: 34-40

A Brief History of 40 Years

On Christmas Eve 1969, the Clarksburg Mission opened its doors to those in the greatest of need, and it has not closed them since. Our daily feeding has grown from 1,800 meals a month in the past to the current number of about 3,000.

For the first few years, our housing facilities were limited to men. But times change and so does the need, so lately our vision and facilities have greatly expanded. In 2002 we added a women and children’s dorm. Soon we opened an improved men’s dorm with laundry facilities and a snack area away from the TV section. Then we converted empty storage to house both our thrift stores in one location. Consolidating the two stores gives shoppers a better variety in one location and allows us easier supervision. Next, we answered the need for child care. Our BOPC (Brief and Occasional Place for Children) provides a safe and caring daycare so parents can focus on getting that badly needed job.

Our next goal, now nearing completion, is to finish transitional apartments. Many people who leave the Mission now must live in poor, dilapidated housing that usually puts them in dangerous surroundings and can result in their returning to the cycle of homelessness. These private transitional units, with a central kitchen, will provide employed residents a clean, safe apartment for 12-24 months. Here they can better improve their chances of living successful, positive lives.

We are also seeking partnership with businesses and other organizations to maximize the- use of our baler to recycle goods to sell to fund our work. See our link "How To Help" for details, or email us through the web site, or at clarksburgmission@comcast.net.

To some, those who come to the Mission appear to be at the end of their line. But actually, we are their gateway to hope and a better future. We can facilitate their transition, but only with your help. You may rest assured, there are a lot of happy endings we can tell you about.