S.O.P.H.I.A. provides relief to the poor, the distressed, or the
underprivileged residents of Trumbull County who apply for assistance. We
treat each and every individual with Christian dignity and try to
restore their sense of self-worth. We also want to stay in touch and
provide on-going support.
Our motto is: We strive to give a hand-up,
not a hand-out! If help is available, we will help people locate it!
WHAT KINDS OF PROBLEMS DOES S.O.P.H.I.A. ADDRESS?
Housing Utilities Food Medical resources Transportation Clothing Referrals for counseling/mental health Employment And more!
WHAT TYPES OF ASSISTANCE DOES S.O.P.H.I.A. PROVIDE?
1 - guidance and direction for immediate needs. 2 - emergency monetary assistance to selected individuals, depending on the availability of donated funds.
HOW CAN I APPLY FOR HELP? S.O.P.H.I.A. is open for applications the second Tuesday of each month. Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information required: photo ID, proof of income, documentation for your problem (utility bills, etc.)
WHERE IS S.O.P.H.I.A. LOCATED? First Presbyterian Church 256 Mahoning NW Warren, Ohio 44483 (get directions)
S.O.P.H.I.A. is a volunteer organization with no paid staff. Funding presently comes strictly from community donations.
We work in partnership with:
CONTACT "A Program of Community Solutions" Meets people's needs with sources of help in our community. www.contacttrumbull.org
Consumer Credit Counseling Service Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) has helps people learn to manage
money, balance their budgets and get out of debt through comprehensive personal finance education and credit counseling. Our programs and
services also help people in all stages of their financial lives take the next step towards personal money management success. www.cccservices.com
Another helpful link: Beatitude House
Beatitude House, sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters, is
committed to disadvantaged women and children in the Mahoning Valley. In an
atmosphere of care and compassion, the programs focus on counseling to
promote self development and education to obtain needed skills. Through this
holistic approach, both women and children are empowered with the work
habits and motivation to realize their full
potential. www.beatitudehouseonline.org
OCTOBER 2009 S.O.P.H.I.A. NEWS S.O.P.H.I.A will participate in the annual Macy’s Shop For A Cause event on October 17. Tickets are $5 and the entire $5 is donated to S.O.P.H.I.A.!! You get discounts galore for your $5 plus a change to win a $500 shopping spree! Please call Kent Anderson at 330-394-3419 or the S.O.P.H.I.A. office at 330-393-0519 if you would like a ticket.
We will also participate in Make A Difference Day on October 24, at Perkins Park. We will provide blood pressure screenings and nutritional information. If you are interested in helping at this event, please call Marilyn Fritch at 330-847-9008.
Every month S.O.P.H.I.A. manages to assist many people in need despite our very limited funds. Some of the ways we do this include putting together a “package” of assistance for clients using many resources in the community, contacting entities to determine if the amount owed can be decreased or put on a payment plan, and giving all clients individual, caring support in a Christian manner. We have a few people who have pledged a small amount each month, and this really adds up. In September, we had 13 clients and were able to make a difference in the lives of each of them.
SUCCESS STORIES S.O.P.H.I.A. has helped a family this past month who was in great need. A mother with six children lost her husband in a construction accident. They had been having a few financial problems and he left her with no funds to tap into to survive. One of our volunteers got her established with legal advice to get income started. We rented a van to transport the family to Akron for the funeral since her van was disabled and helped get her water service restored (along with packaged assistance from members of FPC). Marilyn Fritch received a condolence note from her today…even with all she is suffering this shows how appreciative she is to think of Marilyn in her own time of grief.
Assisted a family with eight children who had an electricity shut-off notice. Mother had gotten pregnant and lost her job. Mother paid a substantial amount on the bill but needed additional money so that Salvation Army would pay the rest. S.O.P.H.I.A. helped her.
Family with two young children, disabled mother and father whose hours have been decreasing. S.O.P.H.I.A. put together a package of assistance so electricity would not be shut off.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WARREN 256 Mahoning Ave., NW | Warren, OH 44483 | (phone) 330-393-1524 | (fax) 330-393-1526 | (e-mail) fpcwarren@hotmail.com
