ACTS: Action in Community Through Service

In 1969, 13 local churches came together with the purpose of preventing and alleviating human suffering. Their inspiration came through their collaboration in helping a family whose home was destroyed by fire. They decided that an organization that brought all their resources together to provide assistance to people without regard to their religious affiliation and that would be run by lay people would be an asset to the community.

ACTS founders began by addressing the most basic human needs of food and shelter. They established Prince William Countys first food bank, set up a used furniture distribution system, and developed a homeless shelter in local churches. As the community grew, ACTS services expanded to meet other needs of the residents. Hunger and homelessness are still issues today. Services now also include a comprehensive domestic violence prevention and intervention program to include the whole familywomen, men and children. In addition, Helpline provides an anonymous crisis telephone service as well as resource referrals. The support groups sponsored by Helpline are essential to people who have lost a loved one to suicide or who have attempted suicide. Most recently, SAVAS joined the ACTS family of services in 2012 and is the only sexual assault crisis center serving Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.

Today, each of the programs addresses the mission of ACTS: to alleviate hunger, homelessness and interpersonal violence in order to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency.

ACTS staff and volunteers are committed to providing their expertise and ACTS resources to help those in crisis identify the options that are available to them at times when they feel they have none. At times, these crises can be alleviated through one contact and short term assistance. In other cases, a clients personal crisis may take longer to address, such as in the areas of domestic violence and mental health. We believe that to change lives and create a safe and welcoming community we must together face the issues of hunger, homelessness and interpersonal violence that prevent people from reaching their potential.