Local
Agape Community Kitchen
The Agape Community Kitchen provides dinner every Wednesday afternoon at the First Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth for those in need. The program enables middle and high school students to engage in leadership and service, supported by a large team of adults.
Agape Clothing Closet
The Agape clothing closet distributes newly purchased clothing to our guests on the third Wednesday of every month.
FISH Hospitality
The Fish program serves homeless women and families by providing shelter and other assistance, in order to give clients a new opportunity to live independently in the community.Our church hosts the FISH guests in Lower Westminster Hall for a week a few times a year. Volunteers are needed to help set-up, prepare dinners, serve as dinner hosts, overnight hosts, and weekend hosts in Lower Westminster.
Furniture Assist
Furniture Assist serves as a stepping stone to self-sufficiency by providing those with limited means the furniture and household items needed to establish a stable home. Volunteers are needed on Sunday mornings to help clients identify the furniture and other household items they need. Volunteers are also needed on Sunday afternoons to receive donations, and on Mondays and Wednesdays to help sort donations.
Craftsmen
A group of dedicated retired handymen tackle many small tasks around the church. Each Thursday morning, they discuss the projects to be handled that day and then set out to complete them, finishing up around noon. The Craftsmen work very closely with the members of the Office and Property Management Commission but welcome reports of necessary repairs from anyone who spots something that needs fixing. Anybody who likes to swing a hammer or turn a screwdriver is invited to join the group. Contact the church office.
Caring Contact
Caring Contact promotes emotional well-being and helps prevent emotional crises by providing opportunities for people to express themselves to compassionate listeners in a safe environment. Volunteer listeners are needed for the caring and crisis hotline.
Roots and Wings
Roots and Wings provides young adults who have aged out of New Jersey’s foster care system with safe housing, education, counseling and life-skills training necessary to achieve self-sufficiency and successful assimilation into society.Volunteers are needed to assist with mentoring, tutoring, organizing special events, and maintain a food pantry.
CASA Union County
The CASA program recruits, screens, trains and supports community volunteers who advocate for the needs of children from birth to age 21 removed from home due to abuse, neglect or abandonment and placed in foster homes or residential facilities. CASA of Union County uses a 30-hour national CASA curriculum in its training of community volunteers to serve as child advocates. Volunteers are also needed to serve as board members, fundraisers, and event volunteers, to help raise awareness in the community.