Christian Layman Corps.

The mission of the Christian Layman Corps is to help to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged families by helping families in crisis obtain food, clothing, furniture, and household furnishings.

The Christian Layman Corps. provides assistance to families in need through its various outreach programs which include:

Voucher System- Local agencies and churches send their clients to the CLC with a written voucher detailing the needs of the client which includes clothing, household items, and furniture. The client receives these items from the CLC at no cost to the client.

Food Pantry- Partnered with the Westmoreland County Food Bank, the CLC Food Pantry serves an average of 350 families per month. Food is delivered twice a month from the Food Bank, and clients can pick up their food five days a week unlike similar pantries.

Emergency Food Program- Christian Layman provides "emergency food" to clients in need who are not eligible to receive food at the Food Pantry due to Food Bank guidelines. The program began when CLC felt an obligation to satisfy an immediate need for hungry families.

A Bed for Every Child- Children in Westmoreland County without a bed can receive a complete bed set including mattress, box spring, frame, dresser, and bed linens or a complete crib set including crib, crib mattress, dresser, and crib linens. The CLC is partnered with four local agencies that screen the families to make sure that the need is there, and these children get the experience of having a bed set of their own. These four local agencies include Westmoreland County Children's Bureau, Westmoreland Case Management and Supports, Inc., Blackburn Center, and Westmoreland Community Action. The number of beds and cribs available each month depends upon the current funding at the CLC.

Emergency Beds Program- Additional beds and cribs are available each month through this program. This program provides a child in need with either a bed or a crib. This program is also partnered with the same four local county agencies as the A Bed for Every Child Program and was started to make available extra beds and cribs each month.

The Larry R. Garlock Veterans Program- The CLC assists Westmoreland County homeless veterans identified through the Homeless Veterans Assistance Program. Beginning in January 2016, the program has provided needed items such as clothing, household items, and furniture. Since May 2016, new small appliances have also been awarded to veterans.

Testimonials

"It is very rewarding to be able to participate in the important work and support that you provide for the community." Sandy Loperfito, SVP and Treasurer of S&T Bank, said after a day of volunteering at the CLC.

"Yesterday was a very rewarding day. I am at awe at what your organization does to help people in need. I am very grateful to have spent the day with such a wonderful group." Debbie J. Gimeno, Vice President Community Banking Manager III Penn Township S&T Bank, said after a day of volunteering at the CLC.

"For the past two years, our Homeless Veterans Outreach program has been a beneficiary of their (CLC's) generosity and spirit of giving. Christian Layman Corps. has worked in collaboration with our Outreach program to provide vouchers for our local veterans in a housing crisis. These vouchers are used to provide furniture, new beds, household items, clothing, and even interview suits and delivery of items for our homeless veterans while Family Services staff seek housing opportunities. Through this use of vouchers, the veterans begin to feel empowered again, take steps to again self-sustain, and are able to increase their morale and track their goals." Family Services of Western Pennsylvania on CLC's help of veterans

"On behalf of the Westmoreland County Children's Bureau and children that we assist I would like to thank you for the outstanding work that you do every day. I have had the privilege to work in partnership with Christian Layman Corps. since 2008. Since that time the Bed for Every Child Program has provided 500 beds, 55 cribs, 382 linen sets, and 244 chests of drawers to needy children involved with the Westmoreland County Children's Bureau. Without your agency's help and support these children would not of had clean safe beds to sleep in. This greatly impacts our ability to better serve needy children in Westmoreland County. I have had the opportunity to deliver many of these beds to the families over the years and words cannot express their sincere appreciation. The beds provided the children with comfort and have improved their quality of living." wrote Michelle Brant, Casework Supervisor, Westmoreland County Children's Bureau.

"Beds have been provided to families who unfortunately have been victims of fire and/or flooding, has had bed bug infestations, been homeless, has fled from domestic violence, are financially disadvantaged, etc.....