Dear Readers,
I write to you with happy news; the community of service providers in Westmoreland County is rich in goodwill, openness, and shared purpose.
These past two weeks have offered me to chance to meet with United Ministries of Westmoreland County (UMWC), a successful, growing coalition of faith leaders focusing on housing and health. The John Dos Passos Institute can offer college and career advising, adult education, environmental education, and enrichment experiences to local community members. At times, those community members will face challenges with health and housing, and that’s where partners like UMWC can step in.
In addition, leaders from Carmel Church, Yeocomico Church, and now St. Paul’s, have offered space in their parishes for the Institute to hold adult literacy or ESOL classes. See what collaboration and cooperation can yield?
Finally, Northern Neck Land Conservancy’s Lisa Biever has agreed to share her time with the Institute so that we can work together in the future.
The first step for grantmaking organizations to support the work of the Institute is to see that we are serving the community, and with partners like these, that work can begin before the summer’s heat has abated.
Stay tuned for news on our possible land purchase!
As always, thank you for your support of community, sustainability, and justice in Westmoreland County.
Sincerely,
Lara dos Passos Coggin
