Support Our Work

Faith Based Activities

THAW Faith Based Initiative Project. It is a program that partners with community churches, other organizations of faith, as well as community organizations to generate a funding source within the respective communities of faith to assists low-income families with their energy bills during times of crisis.

THAW'S Faith Based Initiative Vision

• To establish a coalition that encompasses a community of faith, community development enterprises, and human service organizations to share information, provide utility assistance, and work together to empower families and communities.
  
  
• To provide a Safetynet for seniors and limited income families.
  
  
• To offer a communications network to keep members informed of the needs and potential contributions of other congregants.
  
  
• To offer a place of refuge for customers who otherwise would do without.
  
  
• To create a resource for funding.
  
  

What the Benefits Are

• THAW will train new sites and screeners on all processes and provide support
  
  
• As a Faith Based Initiative participant, together we can help reduce welfare dependency and increase long-term viability through various programs partnered with assistance.
  
  
• In addition to assistance Faith Based institutions can provide motivation, mentoring and spiritual connections not offered in public facilities.
  
  
• Faith Based Programs help foster congregations that are value-generating and value-maintaining.
  
  
• Creating a Faith Based Program will provide participating places of worship the opportunity to help more individuals without adding more burdens to their own administrative cost.
  
  
• The THAW Internet Database allows for tracking, reporting and a direct link with utility providers for users.
  
  
• A Faith Based Partnership provides an opportunity for a fresh start for many.
  
  

How the Partnership Will Work

• Faith Based participating places of worship will host a THAW Sunday four times per year and each member of the Congregations will be asked to give at least $1.00. Or places of worship can host other types of activities to generate funds.
  
  
• Based account that can be used by any participating places of worship (which must contribute to the funding to be considered a participating organization).
  
  
• Some places of worship will become Faith Based THAW sites and will provide necessary personnel to facilitate the program. Other participating places of worship will cluster with places of worship that are actually involved in processing applicants.
  
  
• When a member of a place of worship or community request help from a place of worship that is not a site, that individual will be directed to one of the places of worship that is a Faith Based THAW site.
  
  
• The site will enter the client information into THAW's SafetyNet system for processing.
  
  
• All Faith Based vouchers will be paid from the Faith Based account.
  
  
• Each applicant receiving will be place on an affordable budget by the utility company once the bill is paid in full.
  
  
• The Faith Based partnership also offers a resource to families who normally would not be considered as low-income.