Action In Community Through Service of Prince William County

I have used ACTS’ sexual assault services. It has been life changing and has helped me greatly through this tumultuous time in my life.

Thank you for all the support you do for the community. I appreciate your support for the LGBTQIA+ community. May you receive many blessings and much success and love!

Action In Community Through Service of Prince William County is a one of a kind nonprofit. The program that ACTS offers to help people in need in many different phases of life is astonishing. Not to mention the staff and volunteers that works for ACTS are truly amazing individuals, whos goals are to make a difference in peoples lives.

ACTS provides great service to our community, by building relationships with churches, organizations, committees, and individuals who want to serve their community.

No one goes without nor are left behind because we care about our community and the families in it.

I've worked with Steve and the team at ACTS last year. Everyone is incredibly hard-working, kind-hearted, and genuine. They really put their community first above all else.

ACTS is an amazing organization that’s always listening to their community’s needs. They’re always adapting to changes and are willing to learn new tools and resources to make sure they can provide to their community. Covid-19 was a great example of how quick ACTS learned to communicate from a physical space to the digital world.

ACTS is has been incredible in Prince William County. They work hard to ensure people within this community are heard, fed, and housed. When COVID-19 hit, they were on the front lines giving meals to people and helping fight food insecurity in the area. I really appreciate the people at ACTS for all their effort over the years.

The work ACTS is doing through the Prince William Food Rescue Program and the Hunger Prevention Center are making it possible for thousands of families in our community to get the food they need to survive during the Pandemic. Their staff are saving lives and spreading hope every day. They are a critical resource to the community.

ACTS is an amazing organization dedicated to helping those in need. It strives to ensure that anyone who requires assistance has relief, whether it is through the food pantry, emergency financial assistance, housing, domestic violence or sexual assault. Every staff member devotes themselves to helping others, and it is an honor to be able to work with them to achieve their goal.

Been employed here for nine years and ACTS is like family! Provides a great service to the community and filled with kind, helpful people!

Absolutely love working this company . Steve truly looks out for his employees and customers. I solely work so hard in my department just to try to match the level of Excellence Steve provides for us.

Our team members has share many new ideas and insights that are helpful for clients. It helps us move forward in our process. This is very helpful for our clients.

ACTS goes beyond and back help those in need.

Also Team members I have give positive feedback to each other that helps fuel positive energy, which leads to a more motivated and determined team. Positive feedback is usually preferable because it makes others feel good about themselves. We continued to help each other by trying to assist and assure our confidence she or he could handle the challenge.

Our Manager has assisted the team by being such a great leader, answering our questions and giving guidance.

My name is John Caldwell and i am writing to let it be known that Laurel Turay is an above and beyond kind of person. Since the first moment that i walked through the doors, she has been pleasant and intentive to my needs. There is not a greater person than Laurel. Because of her, I was able to find a place to live and take care of myself and my health. She has an infectious smile that lights up the room and when I see it, I know it will be a great day.

Great agency, truly helping people in the County: provides food, pays bills, helps with housing, supports domestic violence & sexual assault victims in many ways. It is a blessing for people in hunger and tragedy.

some years ago I volunteered with this organization. I went through extensive training before officially becoming a volunteer which was such a learning and beneficial experience that well prepared me for my role. This organization does so much that many might not know about unless they take the time to look at the website or volunteer with them. They do a great amount for the community with its donation store, and shelter for example, and reach many more through the crisis helpline. Out of all the organizations I have volunteered with this one has been a standout of exemplary contribution to the surrounding community.

ACTS is the best non-profit in Prince William. Their dedication, care and willingness to help the community goes beyond words. Their staff are ready to help when needed and sometimes they go beyond their duties. We are really bless to know this non-profit.

ACTS has helped me in so many different ways through the group and one on one interactions. The education alone has been great but the experience in group has helped me to bond to other domestic violence survivors.

ACTS saved my life by helping me make some sense out of the worst possible, violent betrayal by a loved one during a separation/divorce. They did not have all the answers, nor did they "make everything right." What they did was provide a much-needed bridge...from a catastrophic state...by providing a Case-Worker for court appearances that seemed "alien"; insight into legal, then emotional expectations; and volunteers and other Domestic Violence victims in which to find the mental and emotional support that can't be found anywhere else. I owe my continued mental health to ACTS...they are Heroic in every sense of the word.

I've been working with ACTS as a trainer to help improve their team's ability to serve the LGBTQ community. They were already well known in the community for being affirming of LGBTQ people, but they made a commitment as a team to learn as much as they can to be even better.

After running a couple workshops, folks at ACTS will see me and tell me how they look at their jobs and even life experiences with a completely different perspective as a result of the training. That's an amazing dedication to service - they are mindful of their work while in the office and on top of that the staff thinks about their every day lives trying to imagine what life would be like for the clients they serve.

Soon I'll be co-hosting a panel discussion on intimate partner violence in the LGBTQ community with ACTS - so not only are they learning how to improve their own services, they're coordinating with other non-profits and agencies to teach them how to be better as well. ACTS is a wonderful organization with an amazing dedicated and brilliant team.

ACTS is an incredible organization, is an asset to the Greater Prince William Area, and makes an incredible impact in the area. With their limited passionate workforce, ACTS makes a real difference in the community with a wide array of services. They are not only innovative with the services they offer, but they strive to work with other community organization to assess the community's needs and implement programs to make a difference.

Continue the great work, ACTS.

I have been a board member for ACTS for a number of Years and have seen ACTS mature into a robust organization of dedicated and caring staff and volunteers helping those in need in Prince William County. ACTS has grown from 13 churches with very limited resources getting together to help individuals in PWC with food and shelter assistance fifty years ago to an organization with both staff and volunteers providing emergency assistance, emergency shelter, domestic shelter and assistance, food, utility assistance, Helpline services, and a number of additional services to people in need. I am proud of the staff and volunteers who work for ACTS and feel honored to be a Board member of ACTS.
ACTS has also evolved in providing cost effective and necessary services to our clients. ACTS has a Hunger Prevention Center which allows us to provide both canned and packaged food as well as fresh vegetables which considerably improves the dietary variety we can provide. Recently ACTS started the PWC Food rescue program which provides the means to deliver food which formerly would been discarded to people needing the food via a phone app to alert volunteer drivers of the locations of food availability and the recipients so they can choose to make a delivery. This program is proving to be very effective.
For the above reasons, I am honored to be an ACTS board member and volunteer and thankful that ACTS continues to provide its services.

Rob Mouw

ACTS provides superior service to all its clients. It is the only non-profit in Prince William County (PWC) that provides such a wide breadth of services that it can assist clients with all their needs. It provided assistance to over 67,000 people in PWC in FY19. This included assistance to 3,565 victims of domestic violence and 507 victims of sexual assault. This assistance stretches from being with the victims at the hospital right after the incident through providing a safe house and assistance through any court appearances. ACTS responds to every Domestic Violence Situation that involve the PWC police department to immediately assist the victim and let them know what services are available to them. In FY19, ACTS launched a new program named Prince William Food Rescue to better distribute food where needed in PWC. ACTS makes a difference in PWC every day!

ACTS not only provides relief and support to most needy in Prince William County; it also provides a great opportunity for the community to volunteer and give back to our community. I've had wonderful experiences volunteering at the Thrift Store, the warehouse, and the Hunger Prevention Center with my family, with our Boy Scout troop, and with a group of work colleagues. We get to meet other volunteers and staff; learn about their operations; and best of all - experience the appreciation from the community members. Every time is special, because we know that our volunteer support has a direct result on ACTS supporting the community and helping our neighbors.

I’ve been coming here on and off for almost 5 years; seeing Lydia. The commitment and care I have received is outstanding. They make you feel comfortable and cover all your concerns and problems. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.

ACTS has helped so many in the community and I can't believe the many different ways they are involved. I know people who have gotten help paying utility bills, food for their families, and clothing from the Thrift Store. They also have an entire team that focus on providing housing - both temporary and permanent! But I am also aware of services that go beyond those basic needs - services that deal with emotional and mental crisis. I've been able to refer people to call the Helpline for guidance in dealing with depression and anxiety caused by past trauma. I know people who have sought help because of domestic violence abuse and didn't know where else to turn. So many people and organizations have partnered with ACTS through donations and volunteering. Our community is grateful for all that ACTS has done, and continues to do, for us. An amazing organization with a really big heart.

Action in Community Through Service of Prince William Inc. is a private, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization, serving the residents of the Greater Prince William Area, which includes the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park in Northern Virginia.

ACTS has the only comprehensive Domestic Violence Program in the Greater Prince William Area. Our confidential Crisis Helpline offers 24 hour, 7 days a week, support and provides information regarding available options and safety planning. In our Court Advocacy Office at the Prince William Court House, our staff meets with those who seek a protective order and provides court accompaniment and advocacy. ACTS has a domestic violence safe house with eighteen beds for battered women and their children in an undisclosed location in Manassas. ACTS operates a court ordered program for batterers in the Manassas office. This Behavior Intervention Program is the only program in which ACTS charges for services.

ACTS has the only comprehensive sexual assault response services in the country. Our staff or trained volunteers provide forensic exam accompaniment to victims of rape at Sentara Hospital. Our staff provides individual and group therapeutic support to rape victims.

ACTS is a member of the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. The LOSS Team provides a response within one hour to homes of families who have lost a loved one to suicide. Surviving After Suicide is a support group for those who have lost a love one to suicide and meets bimonthly. Renewed Hope is a support group for suicide attempters.

ACTS strives to alleviate homelessness and operates the Beverly Warren Shelter, an emergency shelter for women and their children. We have some townhouses where we can offer permanent housing. The Rapid Rehousing Program pays for client's first months rent and offers security deposit assistance. The Emergency Assistance Program and Hunger Prevention Center operate a food donation program that serves 1,300 families a month and provides financial assistance with utility bills. ACTS assists with prescriptions, propane, and basic needs, and provides case management.

ACTS operates the only regional thrift store where all proceeds support our local services. The thrift store is open seven days a week and accepts clothes, household items, and furniture.

Charlotte M. Williams

Great service to our community for almost 50 years!

I love serving on the board of ACTS because of the impact that its services make in caring for the community. The staff, volunteers, and board members illustrate the gift of what is possible when we work together and also with other local groups to be a beacon of light for those in need.

ACTS has been working alongside the church community in Prince William County to impact hunger and other social challenges. They play a vital role in those who have fallen through the cracks of life and give dignity back to those who are suffering. I am so proud to be associated with ACTs.

ACTS is a true partner in helping those under-served in our Prince William community. The array of services is diverse to assist a wide range of clients, including domestic violence, homeless, those returning to the workforce, suicide prevention. In each of the services available, there is breadth and depth to what can help people. They maintain dignity for the people they serve.

The leadership starting with the top is a genuine leader who truly has a heart to serve, in which I have been fortunate to support as well, including I WALK FOR ACTS, the Hilda Barg Prevention Center, and Operation Turkey (Thanksgiving food giveaway)

ACTS is deserving of this recognition!

I'm 71 and have MS and living in N. Va is very expensive. I only have 752.00 per month Soc. Sec. to pay rent and necessary things to live. If P.W. Co didn't have this program I really would need to eat dog food. Ive only been treated with the utmost respect and dignity and I always leave laughing and upbeat. The wonderful people who donate their time to this program are the very examples of the loving and neighborly way that Virginians reach out and help those needing a little pull up. Thank you all for this kindness and the hard work you so willing do Sincerely Donna Herrod

For the second year ACTS (Action in Community Through Service of Prince William County) I have worked with the staff at this non profit to help them raise funds through a 5K at my shopping center. The volunteers of this organization not only give so much of their time to help the community but also jumped to help with the fundraiser that is organized by a local church. They also came out and supported a food drive we did on Black Friday evening during our annual tree lighting ceremony. This organization gives so much back to the community. They have a great relationship with the business community.

Our team has been working with ACTS for more than 15 years and it has been an incredible experience! ACTS is the epitome of HOPE, PASSION, and SERVICE. They provide opportunity to people in need of hope, they selflessly serve our community, and are wholeheartedly committed to assisting folks get back on their feet and giving them the tools they need to dream again! Under the leadership of CEO Steve Liga, ACTS is a bright light in the lives of everyone in our community! We will continue to support their efforts for as long as they serve!

I have the privilege of serving as a volunteer with ACTS, working on a team of highly professional and deeply devoted staff and volunteers. Last year we volunteers worked close to 3200 hours serving in a number of the services ACTS provides the community. Volunteers worked in the Food Pantry, serving some 8500 families; the Thrift Store, whose sales fund ACTS support services; the Helpline, which is networked with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline; Sexual Assault Services; Turning Points, ACTS' domestic violence services; and the Adopt-A-Day Program, providing meals for children in ACTS family shelter. It is truly a blessing to work with an organization doing so much for the community.

I used to be a volunteer for an organization close to ACTS and knew the food pantry and emergency assistance was available. Years ago I was working a part-time minimum wage job and brought my children with me to ACTS. Once I arrived, there was a line to get in. We patiently for the doors to open. My eldest played with two other children with the assortment of toys provided.

I was met with compassion by the Emergency Assistance worker and she was informative. My husband's income put us right above the poverty line so, even if I quit my job, we would not qualify for assistance. I had an electric bill due and groceries needed rest of the month. The worker told me my electric bill would have to be past-due before they could help me. She explained that they get money on Mondays and by Wednesday morning, the funds were gone. I received a one-time food pantry voucher for that day to help with groceries and 2 clothing vouchers good for six months.

I felt too guilty using the clothing vouchers for the local thrift store as I did not want to take from those who were truly in need. We needed food and were desperate for diapers, so I was thankful for the generous amount of food we were given. ACTS provided me with 12 diapers, enough for one day, and I was grateful as I did not know I would receive any. ACTS provided us with: toilet paper, bubble bath, vegetables, frozen venison, milk, condiments, sandwiches, bread, and pound cake. There had to have been 100 items. I was overwhelmed with choices and they even accommodated my vegetarian needs. I assumed food pantries only gave nonperishable items like boxed and canned goods, I had no idea we would get household items as well as meat, dairy, and produce. It was a humbling experience for our time of need.

I came back once our electric bill was past-due and they explained that the churches are the ones to provide the funding. The Emergency Assistance worker let me know that those in need that qualified would be given a number and then the assigned churches would provide them with the funding for the past due bills. Each qualified person had to bring proof of identity including a government i.d. and the past-due bill with their name on it. I had to provide W-2s and pay stubs for myself and my husband along with our i.d.s.

Things have come full circle as I now work for ACTS. I am still learning all the amazing things our non-profit has to offer our community, as well as the impact we are making nationwide. The experience of being in need has helped me know how to help others today who call for financial assistance and need resources. I cannot be prouder of where I work and I look forward to continue to grow with ACTS.

ACTS has provided to numerous individuals and families a wide spectrum of services and kindness through their homelessness services, helpline, food bank, thrift store, and domestic violence areas. I have personally seen the positive affect these have had on individuals I have personally met within our community and through my congregation. As a past member of the Board of Social Services within the county, I have seen ACTS work and the outstanding impact it has had in the complex area of homelessness. ACTS has put forth a wide range of options to help now and in the future.

impact of ACTS to help folks in crisis is huge as they are the Single biggest organization to help in the Prince William County community. They help feed, house, train countless people who have needs a hand up. Their model is to have the people being self sufficient. The programs They have are extensive and year round. The organization is very well respected in Eastern Prince William County and all of the schools partner won the organization. I have personally worked with ACTS for several years in partnership with Cooperative Council of Ministries, participated in fundraisers and walked in the I WALK FOR ACTS in October (This event alone has grown in visibility and size over the past few years). Their leadership in Steve Liga is, in my opinion, the reason for their success and respect in the community. His efforts are personally seen as a very passionate, professional, and tirelessly worker and advocate for clients in need for help. One substantive example is the re-emergence and expansion of the Thrift Store as a retail entity to raise funds for ACTS
He also has been successful in partnership with countless stores in the area to assist in helping a path forward for those in need of help.

-I have been struggling with homelessness for the past 6 months. Currently I work 2 jobs and go to school. I sleep outside in a fenced in area located at my work shop, so I am safe every night. I don't get paid for a few weeks and I'm doing everything I have to. It's very difficult not having a place for my stuff or a warm place to sleep, not knowing when my next meal is. Hoping I can get some help to get into a place! Thank you so much and I am very thankful for anyone who just prays or even had me in their thoughts.

I am a volunteer at ACTS Food Pantry and it has been so rewarding for me. I look forward to going on my scheduled days for so many reasons..... everyone is so nice, seeing the appreciation on the clients faces, knowing that you and the organization are helping so many people in need. The clients are truly grateful for what ACTS Food Pantry provides for them. This is a excellent organization and makes a great impact in peoples lives.

ACTS is an excellent organization that repeatedly strives to enhance the services offered to the community. Having been a staple of Prince William social services for 25+ years, they are well regarded by clients, donors and the community as a whole.

ACTS has big impact within the county. There are so many programs that help people make it through a crisis. The Emergency Assistance section helps people with utility bills, food assistance or propane. There are 2 emergency shelters and thrift store that support Prince William County residents. Other programs range from a helpline to domestic violence shelters. Great place to volunteer.

As a volunteer Acts is an excellent organization to work. Most important is that all the people are friendly and they appreciate what you do. This is my second volunteer experience here and it is amazing. Everyone smiles at you, they say good morning and they thank you for the job you are doing. They make you feel like even as a volunteer you are a member of a team.

It is also a place to start your career, they have full and part time jobs.

I would rate this organization as excellent in its goals for helping people, especially women.

ACTS is the best kept secret in Prince William County. The staff is so caring and kind. They continue to give of themselves to help those in need in our county. The Thrift Store in Dumfries is a great asset to the community. You can donate and shop for bargains knowing that all of the funds are used to support the various programs within ACTS. Thank you ACTS for all you do. Keep up the good work

The thrift store and shelter provide major benefits throughout the community, I have both donated and utilized these facilities on numerous occasions. I have also donated to the food pantry. So many volunteers and they are all delightful, helpful and caring. They are able to reach and help so many people in need. ACTS just had a book sale, with amazing deals throughout the day. I can't wait for this year's charity walk at National Harbor. I hope the supporters don't try to make this about themselves, and instead they allow ACTS to shine with all they have to offer.

I moved to VA last year and after many unsuccessful attempts in volunteering with other local organizations I found ACTS through St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Woodbridge. I called and was invited to start volunteering at the Food Panty right away. I volunteered there for months and continue to be amazed by the wonderful people who are employees of ACTS, generosity of the other volunteers, and the many different programs and individuals/families/groups throughout the community that ACTS helps on a day-to-day basis. I have now volunteered with ACTS in many different capacities for the past year and a half. I have been blessed with an internship in the Volunteer/Event Department during this summer between school semesters. I have also used many of the programs myself. It would be my hope and desire that everyone in the surrounding community gets to learn, contribute, and use the many wonderful programs and helpful services that ACTS has to offer! ACTS is quite an amazing non-profit organization and I am proud and totally dedicated to support their mission!!!

ACTS amazed me when I first started volunteering. I had never seen an organization supply so many resources to a community in one place. It is a one-stop-shop for many of our neighbors in need.

The services prided by ACTS staff and volunteers help thousands of individuals every year. I personally know that as a volunteer I am making a difference in a persons life. So few non-profits put their clients first and ACTS always does what is needed to help those in need in our community.

ACTS has helped our community stay fed, clothed, housed, and safe for over 40 years!

Donors know that virtually every dollar they give to ACTS is going toward client services. ACTS is a very effective & efficient comprehensive community service organization that serves clients who are in need of social services ranging from emergency assistance & food assistance, emergency shelter, domestic violence intervention/prevention, sexual assault crisis counseling & prevention, and a Helpline for suicide prevention and other crises. ACTS is invaluable to the Greater Prince William County area!

ACTS is a one stop shop for social issues impacting the community. If they can't help with your concerns, they refer you to someone who can. They provide the supportive services that people need when they have been impacted by trauma, violence, poverty or crises of any kind.

I am a member of the Manassas Therapy Dog group, and we are currently working with the children in their group counseling sessions. The staff at ACTS has been incredibly welcoming to us and our dogs, and have worked with us to get the best benefit out of each session. The children respond well to the dogs and include them in their discussions. ACTS has a dedicated staff of loving, caring people who work tirelessly for the people who come to them for help. Their work in the community is vitally important, and their message is one of hope.

ACTS is an invaluable asset to the Prince William County community. The staff members and volunteers of ACTS have done excellent work assisting those in need.

I donated food over the years to ACTS, and our business closes its doors one day in November volunteers each year for Operation Turkey. Until I joined the board I didn't fully understand the tremendous scope of services and support ACTS provides- not just to Eastern Prince William but the entire Prince William County community. Often known for the food pantry, ACTS does so much more. ACTS provides services for battered women and men, advocacy for those victimized by sexual assault and Helpline for those contemplating suicide, or seniors that enjoy a friendly telephone call each day. ACTS reaches out in a powerful way to those in crisis. ACTS is more than just a hand out - ACTS provides support and case management to help individuals break negative patterns and cycles and empower people to move towards self-sufficiency. I believe that is one of the factors that sets ACTS apart.

The incredible work that ACTS does for this community is well known in other jurisdictions in Virginia as well. Living in one of these jurisdictions, I have always wanted to work for ACTS. From time to time, I would check on the internet for new job postings. My wishes finally came through last October when I proudly joined ACTS Turning Points to provide services for the large Hispanic Community of Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, victims of domestic violence.

Although, the work that we do is extremely stressful at times: I enjoy working with such a great group of people.

Go ACTS!

I have lived in Prince William County for better than 45 years. For as long as I can remember, ACTS Has been doing their thing, helping those members of the community down on their luck and in need of assistance. When I was a boy, I remember my mother working with ACTS through her church, St. Paul's United Methodist to lend a hand to folks in need. I still use recipes from my mother's 'What's Cooking at ACTS' cookbook, a joint effort between ACTS and the churches in the county. Over the years ACTS has helped, and continues to help countless thousands of county residents with direct food assistance, help paying utilities, job training and placement, thrift stores that provide needed gods at a discount as well as raise revenue for additional help, and I am certain, many other ways that I am not even aware of. ACTS has always been a savior for the county residents that need help the most. As our economy continues to struggle and employment remains scarce, the help and services provided by ACTS could not be more valuable. I salute the many employees and volunteers at ACTS that work selflessly to help their neighbors through these trying times.

It is always an honor and joy to serve at ACTS through our church and scouting group. I've seen many lives changed and restored through this amazing organization.

I have worked at ACTs for over 2 years. ACTs has a real impact in Eastern Prince William county. Each month our food pantry gives almost 49,000 pounds of food each month to near 2000 families. Our clients range the gambit of working folks living paycheck to paycheck, people who newly unemployed to seniors on fixed incomes. We also help families in need with gas, water and electric bills. These people tend to have an emergency that causes them to rob Peter to pay Paul, ie car breaks down and needs repair the money for electric bill goes to the repair.

ACTS is a great organization who's main purpose is to help those in need in the Prince William County area. My sister is part of image church and her church has done a lot to help ACTS. I once went on a mission with her church where we helped feed the homeless. It was a great experience for me and it helped to open my eyes to what is going on. This is a great organization and I have had a wonderful time volunteering here and it really makes me feel like I am helping and doing something good in my life.

Both my grandmother and my sister have worked for ACTS, my grandmother as a volunteer and my sister as an employee. This is an old organization that has for a long time been an important part of the PWC community, providing both assistance and opportunity to people who are really struggling. It is particularly encouraging to see how much this organization has been expanding in recent years to include a broader range of services. The CNA training (certified nurse assistant) program is particularly exciting new program that helps low-income people get on their feet and earn the credentials they need to get a solid, well-paid job. It's so encouraging to see some social programs being expanded at a time when so many of them are being reduced and shut down nationally. In these hard economic times, programs such as ACTS are a vital lifeline of the community.

AS a volunteer, I feel that ACTS really values our time and our desire to improve our community. My husband and I have been blessed to work with ACTS clients. When we do this, we see how ACTS programs are designed to improve the client's lives and help them gain self sufficiency. Volunteering with ACTS leaves us feeling closer together, more hopeful, grateful and full of joy. It is one of the best things we do together as a couple each month!

ACTS is an organization that seems committed to helping the community in Prince William County. Their emergency crisis line helps those who are suicidal or depressed with trained staff and volunteers who listen, soothe, encourage and give vital referrals. They provide a food bank, emergency shelter for families in domestic violence situations and so much more. I cannot think of a more deserving or impactful nonprofit in my area.

ACTS is a very well run nonprofit. They provide great services to the community. I very much enjoy volunteering my time to assist this nonprofit.

My sister was a dv client. I called turning points hotline and was able to get resources for her. She also went to the safe house and they helped her get into transitional housing. Thanks to them she got out a bad situation.

ACTS does so many wonderful things for the community. They shelter the homeless, minister to those who have experinced personal violence, feed the hungry, help those experiencing difficult times and just need a helping hand. I am always amazed at their generousity and willingness to go the extra mile to help someone. Thank ACTS for providing relief, fostering hope and promoting self-sufficency for our Prince William are neighbors. You ROCK!!!

One of the finest organizations in our community. ACTS has always been responsive to the needs of their neighbors and sought the best ways to meet those needs.

I have donated thousands of dollars to this fine organization for over the past 20 years and know the current Director and all of the past 4 Directors over that time. They are a very frugal, well run, run organization helping the very needy and desperate in the community. They have strong board members who are intimately involved in every aspect of the business.

I referred a friend recently who has never had to ask for any help. His wife lost her job and money has been tight. His intake was done very professionally and he has been able to receive food once a month from the food bank. I feel very confident that ACTS helps people in need in Woodbridge

I started volunteering with ACTS more than 30 years ago when they needed drivers to pickup women and children and drive them to safe houses. Today I pickup and deliver food to the ACTS food pantry and am a telephone volunteer twice a month with the Sexual Assault Victims Advocacy Service (SAVAS) and ACTS Turning Points collaboration. It is a privilege to be associated with ACTS and your wonderful caring staff. I pray that everyone in all Prince William County jurisdictions will have the same wonderful opportunity to experience the peace, joy and happiness that comes from helping others in our community.

Thank you ACTS. Your opportunities help to make me a better person.

My family first moved to Prince William County in 1990, and after many overseas military assignments, we were eager to feel part of a real community. Volunteering for ACTS, through our church, was one way to become involved at a grassroots level. We have become regular donors to ACTS, because we have seen first hand the commitment and dedication of the staff, the real needs that are met through domestic violence programs, the food pantry, helpline, shelter, and other assistance programs, and the efficiency with which services are provided. We know that our donations are being put to work to assist our neighbors in need.

Our church has been involved and help supports ACTS in many ways over the years. Acts works and provides a strong vehicle for concerned residents and greatly contributes to the betterment of those less fortunate. Without ACTS involvement some of the services would not be provided to the residents of Prince William County. ACTS is a catalyst of bringing residents together for a common good.

The needs within our community would not be met without the work of this wonderful organization. They provide basic goods and services to a population that is struggling to meet the basic needs of their families. ACTS is there when a family suddenly finds themselves without a home. ACTS is there when someone has been abused and needs a safe place to go. ACTS is there when an individual is feeling suicidal and needs a compassionate listener. ACTS is there for the family who has no money to put food on the table and the next check is two weeks away. ACTS is there to provide child care for low income families so that parents can work and know that their children are in a safe a loving enviornment. ACTS is there... whenever there is a need. Your $5000 donation would allow these types of life-altering works to continue.

It is an honor to be able to be a member of the Board for ACTs. Through my church, I have worked with the homeless and those that are living on the fringe for over 15 years. Long before joining the Board, I watched as this group of dedicated staff and volunteers were able to make a difference in the lives of members of our community. In tough economic times like we have experienced the last couple of years, you need organizations that effectively use the resources that it receives. ACTS works diligentily to try to get the most out of each donation and/or gift. Again it is a joy to be associated with such an organization.

I first became involved with ACTS in about 1990 as Lake Ridge Baptist's representative at ACTS meetings. It was there that I became familiar with the different ways ACTS serves our community. My invovement grew as I saw first hand the wonderful things they were doing in our community. Upon my retirement I was able to have time to work shoulder to shoulder with the terrific ACTS staff in the Emergency Assistance office. I am always impressed with their patience, and with the dignity and respect they give all clients who walk through their doors.

As a long-time donor to and volunteer for ACTS, I continue to be happy and impressed with their presence in the community, their professionalism, and their outstanding ability to utilize the resources provided to them by the community. The battered womens' shelter, the homeless shelter, and the annual Operation Turkey Food drive are three noteworthy examples of ACTs ongoing success. I have made ACTs the recipient of my annual giving to the United Way Campaign, as well as participating as I can in their volunteer efforts.

I have volunteered with the ACTS organization over the past twenty plus years in many It is the one organization that the church community in this area gives to that we know all the proceeds go to their community projects. We are more than willing to assist in helping with food, money for utility bills and rent. The food pantry giving is overwhelming - I volunteered there in more recent years and the need is so great! ACTS programs for those with family abuse are extensive and so involved. Their shelters for women and children are safe havens for those who need it. Volunteering at the ACTS Dumfries Thrift Shop was a wonderful, fulfilling experience. So many needy have vouchers that they can come and get what is needed for their survival. This organization has been a blessing to all who help in any capacity and to those who receive assistance. The people who work for them are all caring and have real concern for the community they serve.

I visted ACTS last year and attended the ACTS 101 introduction. I donated items to the thift stoire and some cash.
ACTS is doing a great job helping out in the community, specilly with the programs for women and families.
Well organized distribution warehouse for food donation.

Our church has been involved in supporting ACTS for many years. Acts provides a vehicle for concerned residents of Prince William county to contribute to the betterment of those less fortunate. Operation Turkey is a great example of the participation from the local churches and businesses and the organized efforts of the ACTS staff.

I work with ACTS through my church's Social Ministry Committee and as Secretary of the Cooperative Council of Ministries (CCOM), a consortium of churches aiding the homeless in Prince William County. ACTS is a completely professional, efficient, and compassionate provider of supplies and services to those in need in our community. Our church regularly refers people to ACTS for its variety of services and supports its work through periodic food drives and fundraisers. My wife and I are regular donors, because we know contributing to ACTS is the most effective use of our funds in meeting the needs of the least of these in our county.
I have regular contact with ACTS leadership through my work at CCOM and am always impressed with their sense of mission and their expertise. I have worked with service organizations in the states and abroad, and ACTS is second to none in its commitment to the people it serves and level of energy in providing that service. The county is blessed to have an organization like ACTS working for its people, and without ACTS some of these services would not be provided.

We at Old Bridge United Methodist Church collect food items for the ACTS food pantry and have seen the food used to aid the neediest in our community. We have also seen ACTS assist people in need with emergency housing, clothes, and other essentials. ACTS provides a much needed and tremendous service to the neediest in Prince william County.

For 27 years I've coordinated a team of church volunteers who help at the Thrift Store each month. I've seen the store expand its locations and services and streamline its procedures for processing donations and serving the community. This past month I've made a trip to ACTS new administrative offices and large food pantry. These more modern facilities serve many more people each year and continue to be overseen by kind and efficient folks with their eye on specific needs of our community. This month I also stopped by the Emergency Shelter where a most hospitable staff member provided me a tour of the facility for which our church women's group will be doing a service project in April. I'd visited this facility years ago and was amazed by all that has been done through volunteer help to improve the facility. Even more impressive, however, was the informed and caring generosity of the staff member herself. She was quick to translate our general offer of help into a specific plan for serving shelter residents. I came away thanksful to be part of ACTS and eager to show and tell others what I'd so quickly learned about this wonderful organization.

Our congregation has supported the work of ACTS for nearly 40 years. A number of our members have served on the board or worked in administrative capacities, so I have heard many instances of ACTS' work in the community and have met families and individuals who have benefited directly from its emergency housing, spouse abuse program, food assistance, and support for those working to overcome homelessness.
I am always surprised when someone in the community does not know of the ACTS organization, so I think they should might seek to publicize their work, to bring in more enthusiastic supporters.

I have been involved in ACTS for over 35 years and have served on the Board for most of this time. Over this time the organization has added many programs to serve the people in Prince William County, Virginia, that need help and assistance. ACTS has done this in a very cost effective way, has a very dedicated staff and has many volunteers and supporters. Prince William County is a better place to live because of ACTS.

ACTS has been meeting our community's most urgent needs for over four decades. The staff members are truly committed to the mission and go beyond expectations. The volunteer involvement is outstanding with hundreds of individuals sharfing their talents and resources.

I and my family have supported ACTS for overe 25 years. We've donated many items to help the poor; sent people to them who were in need of getting help; worked with some staff members at Thanksgiving and with a local church to help feed the poor; and have even bought items at the store to help others in need. The staff has always been extremely helpfull and held those they were assisting or servicing with up most respect. There is no concern of a person/family's religion, race or political choice in helping those in need. More importantly the staff seems to go beyond doing thier jobs in demonstrating that they take joy and pride in helping those in need.

I have volunteered at ACTS for a number of years mostly picking up donated food from various businesses and, during special food drives, from many of the schools in this area. No matter how much food we pick up there is never enough. The staff at ACTS goes out of its way to provide as much food as possible for those in need. Spending as much time as I do there I have also seen the thrift stores in action as well as the homeless shelter. Without ACTS there would be many more people out there going hungry and many others living outdoors. I am also aware of the other facilities run by ACTS and am amazed at how much good this organization does in this community.

I have served on the ACTS board for almost nine years and I never cease to be excited to tell people about ACTS and its mission to alleviate human suffering in Prince William County. The staff and volunteers are always kind, compassionate, and enthused as they seek to serve our neighbors who find themselves in need of food, shelter, clothing, emergency financial assistance, or somone to talk to when they are feeling down. Last year I took monthly meals to the homeless shelter and I was always impressed by how clean the shelter was and how the residents and staff acted like family, the children seemed happy and safe. They had a beautiful room to play in and even computers to help with their homework. I am very thankful that ACTS is a part of our community.

I have watched and particpated in ACTS for nearly three decades. As a former Prince William County official, I learned what an important role ACTS plays in the continuum of services provided to the less fortunate members of our community. Without the range of services available through ACTS, many economically disadvantaged families would go chronically unserved with serious results for both those families and our community. The County government, faced with its own fiscal challenges, simply could not afford to provide directly those services offered by ACTS nor could the County match the efficiency ACTS achieves through its extensive use of volunteers and donations.

Now as a Board member, I see even more clearly how ACTS stretches its income to extend services to those in need. Demand outstrips capacity, yet ACTS continues to reach so many. The Board is diligent in examining programs and services to look for opportunities to shift available funding to more critical service areas, but all of the remaining services provided by the agency are critical to its core mission and the clients served.

I have served on the ACTS Board for several years now and find that ACTS provides a variety of valuable services to the community. Those who work with ACTS are dedicated to helping those in need. Many in the community have utilized one or more of ACTS services or have referred someone they know to ACTS. The community supports ACTS - students have collected can goods and coats for ACTS and businesses have donated goods and services to ACTS. Because of the continued support of the community, ACTS is able to continue to help those in need.

I became personally acquainted with ACTS through my church when I helped to organize our first walk in support of the homeless about 4 years ago. Currently, I serve on the Board and count it a privilege to work with a group of people who are committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. We live in a nation where the issues of hunger, homelessness, domestic violence, and suicide should never go unaswered. ACTS has answered the call to help serve those in need and has done a tremendous job with the resources available. Unfortunately, with the economic challenges that many still face in our community and nation, the need seems greater than the resources. I have encountered so many people who have been a part of this organization for many, many years. This serves as a testimony to not only the work of the organization, but also to the good stewarship of time and resources that this organization practices to ensure that services get to those who most need them.

I have been personally involved with ACTS as a donor and volunteer for over ten years. My experience says this is a top flight, charitable organization that offers a broad array of serices; homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters and programs, suicide prevention programs, emergency assistance services, and a food pantry. ACTS has a remarkable reputation in our community and receives financial support from a diverse base, including grants, churches, private and corporate donations, and even some limited public funds. It is a great organization, doing great things!

I was able to work with ACTS days before Christmas 2010. My daughter-in-law, grandchildren and I went to the family shelter and made some beaded jewelry with the children and mothers that were spending Christmas at the shelter. The excitement in those children's eyes was a great gift to me. ACTS provides a great service to families who are suffering hard times and need a little lift to keep things together. We are grateful such services are provided. Who knows when WE may need them. I know they made Christmas a lot brighter this year.

I have lived in Prince William County for most of my life and since I was a young girl in Girl Scouts, I have been aware of the good works that Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) does in my community. As a girl, I helped with food drives and as an adult, we donate all of our children's clothes and books that they have outgrown, as well as any other household items we can no longer use. We love the fact that our donations are either given to our neighbors in need in the community, or sold in the Thrift Store to help with the day t0 day operations of the organization. And now, my own children see how ACTS helps our community every holiday season when they take canned goods to their school for the annual food drive.

Without ACTS, Prince William would not have a much needed saftey net as they struggle to survive.

We first became aware of ACTS through our church when we moved to Prince William County, VA. We were young with young children and not much money to spare, so we donated to the thrift stores and food drives. Realizing that we were alleviating the hunger and suffering of our own neighbors, as opposed to the poor in general, we eventually made ACTS one of our permanent/monthly charitable contributions. It is satisfying and reassuring to "help at home". As our exposure to the many programs and volunteers grew, we were and are routinely impressed with the dignity with which the "clients" are afforded as well as the actual aid. Our family could not be more satisfied with the results of our contributions.

There is no question that the food pantry has provided a much needed service in these recent challenging times.

We sometimes forget , in an area where money and politics reign, that that there are people who need help with the basics of life, food, shelter, and transportation. ACTS is actively helping these people and all donations are used for this purpose with as little overhead as possible.

I wish I could do more!

I have been affiliated with ACTS and its good works for over 20 years. I initially worked with ACTS as a church delegate from my parish church. Then over 19 years ago i was elected to the Board of Directors and have served there ever since. Over this time period i have served on various committees and task forces for the organization. I am currently serving on the Finance and Personnel committees.
One may ask why i would remain on the Boars of such an organization for this length of time. I strongly believe in the mission of ACTS and the service it provides my community. As a member of the Finance Committee accept the challenge of overseeing the management of the Agency's funds and stewardship of all of it valuable resources.

My husband has been involved with ACTS for many years, but he and I have only been married for four years and I came from the west coast to Virginia, so I knew nothing of this organization before arriving. Paul suggested that if I was ever looking for a volunteer service opportunity that ACTS could fix me up very quickly and would provide all the training I would need to do a good job. He was so right. I worked for about six months in the food pantry on the busiest day of the week. Quite often we would see as many as 60 families during my four hour shift. The work was so rewarding, and the people were so appreciative of the help that I really felt like I was making a difference. Recently I have had to take time off to deal with a slipped disc, but when that gets fixed, I'll be back. I truly enjoyed working with dedicated volunteers and those who came because they were court ordered to do community service. Regardless of why they were there, almost everybody rapidly understood their importance to the team effort, and our productivity was really amazing. Sharen Moessner