[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 64 (Friday, May 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      UNITED COMMUNITY MINISTERIES--25 YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 20, 1994

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a community-
based organization in my district, which has played a pivotal role in 
providing for the human service needs of low-income and disadvantaged 
families in northern Virginia.
  United Community Ministries is celebrating its 25th anniversary and, 
at its annual gala on June 3, is honoring the angels in the community 
who have made its work possible.
  Without broad-based community support, UCM could not have made a 
difference in the lives of so many of my constituents.
  Twenty-five years ago, with just two employees and a few volunteers, 
UCM began providing food, clothing, and crisis intervention services. 
UCM has grown to meet the ever-increasing needs of our less fortunate 
friends and neighbors with important, sometimes life-saving services, 
such as employment assistance, job training, transitional housing, 
education, and youth services.
  Its Bryant Early Learning Center offers quality day care for 
children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years, of working families and teenage 
parents who live in the Route 1 community. This year it won 
accreditation by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs--a 
distinction achieved by only 1.7 percent of all non church-affiliated 
programs nationwide. In addition to child care, it offers early 
intervention services to families whose children have special needs or 
some handicapping condition.
  UCM believes in helping people help themselves. One client expressed 
it this way: ``Had it not been for UCM, I don't think I would have been 
able to survive and be with my family. UCM extended a hand to give me a 
lift. I don't need them to hold my hand for the rest of my life * * * 
but they were there for me.''
  Nearly 700 volunteers help staff its 11 programs and over 4,000 
supporters provide financial assistance. These strong community roots 
are the foundation upon which UCM has flourished.
  ``When times are tough, UCM is there to help.'' That's what someone 
who was helped by UCM in the past has said, and it is still true today. 
Last year, UCM served 4,623 families; performed 260,322 emergency and 
advocacy services; provided 130,358 meals, 4,555 medical services and 
10,368 services to children at risk; and assisted 8,189 people with 
housing and 1,279 people with employment and job training. UCM works to 
keep families together.
  UCM is celebrating its 25th year because caring people have committed 
themselves to our community with both financial donations and volunteer 
talent. I join with UCM in thanking our Community of Angels for their 
strong support; and I join with the community in thanking UCM for its 
concerned and steadfast presence. It's a partnership that works.

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