Our History
It started several years ago with some of our board members attending the Louisa County Interagency Council (LCIC) meetings. Their mission is to foster partnerships, share information and resources, and collaborate to promote and develop community centered services. Membership meets monthly to share information and to work to solve community gaps.
LCIC recognized the value of faith-based organizations in 2013, and the Faith in ACTION subcommittee was formed. The mission of Faith in ACTION is to identify ways to improve communications between Louisa County agencies and residents through churches and to provide ways for churches to share information and maximize resources. This committee organizes 2 Gatherings each year to bring faith-based groups together with service providers and non-profits to share information.
At a 2014 Gathering, a need was identified to provide emergency assistance for certain basic living expenses (primarily rent/mortgage payments) for folks in crisis. The Faith in ACTION Committee researched many Christian emergency fund models in other communities. After discussions with local partners, Goshen Baptist Association, Louisa Resource Council, Louisa Dept. of Human Services (DHS) and MACAA, the committee determined the need to form a NEW non-profit organization to handle this emergency fund.
LCEF was officially recognized as a non-stock corporation in Virginia as of May 12, 2015. In June 2015, the IRS recognized LCEF as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corp.
Through the Hard Times, We’re Here to Help
Since we began accepting requests for assistance in November 2015, we have helped over 600 local families in crisis. Through local community support with donations and grants, we have provided over $200,000 in financial support. Many of our neighbors are still struggling to recover from pandemic and other economic issues. LCEF wants to help those who are in a crisis find ways to improve their lives.
New Homeless Project - Louisa Housing & Homeless Coalition (LHHC)
Louisa Housing & Homeless Coalition (LHHC) formed in 2023 and has completed an assessment of homeless sheltering needs in the county. LHHC has proposed an idea for churches, other community partners and volunteers to unite together to provide an emergency shelter throughout this winter. They are basing the model on PACEM, which is an emergency shelter operation in Charlottesville (https://pacemshelter.org/).
Our vision for Louisa Homeless Coalition (LHC) is to provide emergency shelter for individuals and families from December-February. The shelter would be open from 6:30pm-6:30am. Everyone would receive a nutritious meal, bedding, and, if needed, transportation to and from the shelter. We are seeking:
- Volunteers to help with planning and fundraising
- Shelter space (churches or others with available overnight space)
- Donations
Our fundraising goal is $25,000 to hire a part-time coordinator and help with transportation needs. If you would like to support this effort, you can donate on this website’s Home Page www.louisacommunityemergencyfund.org/ OR send a check to: Louisa Community Emergency Fund, PO Box 295, Louisa, VA 23093 with a memo: Homeless.
If you would like someone to contact you with more information about LHC plans, please send a message to info.lpacem@gmail.com.
