Making a Difference: Lorton Community Action Center

It's a sign of success when the very people helped by an organization return to volunteer with that organization. In the case of the Lorton Community Action Center such an occurrence has happened on repeated occasions.

Since 1975, Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) has served Lorton residents.  According to Executive Director Steve Rorke, it all began because people saw a need and acted.  "A group of women living on Mason Neck and headed by Christine Herbstreith organized LCAC because they felt that Lorton was isolated from the rest of the county." 

Rorke said the women started a referral center in a small building in the parking lot of Gunston Elementary School. "They quickly realized that the needs of the community required broader provision," said Rorke. That same year LCAC opened its thrift store and also began providing clothing, food and emergency assistance.

Rorke has served as LCAC's executive director for eight years, and says that the organization's purpose is more than helping those in need.  "Our mission is enhancing the quality of life in our community through individual and family services, community programs, and partnerships with other organizations," he said.  In addition, LCAC is committed to guiding its clients along the path to self-sufficiency.

LCAC's has been at its current location on 9518 Richmond Highway since 1984. Said Rorke, "The county obtained what was then the Murphy Family Farm, and they provided LCAC with the house."

The house was subsequently named in honor of Christine since the LCAC is thought by many to be her brainchild.

In its 35th year, LCAC serves more than 3,000 clients annually. The four full-time and five part-time staff rely on the assistance of some 450 volunteers to provide services through several programs. These include the food pantry, clothing, financial assistance, information referral, seasonal assistance (tax preparation, school supplies, and holiday baskets), and volunteer coordination.

Rorke says that in the past two years, requests for emergency food assistance have risen 60 percent. LCAC collects more than 10 tons of food monthly, and operates its food pantry out of the basement, hallway and one room of the LCAC offices at the Herbstreith House. But thanks to a gift made by the Lynch Family--long-term supporters of LCAC--a new modular building adjacent to the house will soon accommodate all food operations. The new 2,000 square foot one-story structure is slated for completion later this year. It will have:

• Improved food storage, particularly for refrigerated items.
• A streamlined food distribution process for clients.
• Improved work place conditions and safety for staff, volunteers and clients.
• Secured storage of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food, according to the agency's requirements for a separate, dedicated, climate controlled and secure storage area.

Since the beginning, LCAC's Act II Thrift Shop has served the dual purposes of generating income from sales to the public, and providing clothing and household items to clients.  Clients are given vouchers to shop at Act II.  The shop, located at 9506 Richmond Highway in the Williamsburg Square Shopping Center, is open weekdays from 10 a.m.  - 5 p.m. Donation guidelines are available here.

LCAC provides emergency financial assistance in the form of loans and grants to assist with essential needs including utilities, rent, mortgage, and medical care.  In addition, they help locate matching funds from other agencies to assist with one-time financial crises. As stated on its Web site, "LCAC's goal is to keep families from becoming homeless."

Another of LCAC's stated goals is, "to assist every person who turns to us, whether it is with a question or a crisis."  If the organization is unable to provide direct assistance, they will offer information about where else to turn for help.  For example, those who come to LCAC from other areas will be offered referrals to other options for help.  Rorke says, "Due to a lack of resources we've had to limit our direct assistance to only Lorton residents."

Seasonal assistance comes at tax season, the beginning of the school year, and during the Thanksgiving and December holidays. Because the need this year is so great, LCAC is requesting food gift card donations in lieu of food donations for their Decemeber Holidays drive. Thanksgiving Food Baskets are due on Sunday,  November 21. For complete details, please refer to LCAC's Holiday Outreach Web Page.

LCAC will officially celebrate its 35th anniversary at its 2010 Fall Gala --
"Remembering the Past, Ensuring the Future" -- on Saturday, November 6, at
Harbour View along the Occoquan River in Woodbridge.

Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life for underprivileged families and children in the Lorton.