A Brief History of Ecumenical Ministries, Inc.
Of Baldwin County, Alabama
Ecumenical Ministries, Inc. of Baldwin County celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, which represents many years of providing assistance to those in need in Baldwin County.
The Ecumenical Council for Migrant Concerns was the parent organization formed by church people who were concerned about the safety of migrant workers' children in the potato fields. The day-care program they started soon became a federally-funded Head Start Program entitled La Casa de Amigos. Between 65 and 95 children enrolled each year and approximately 250 families received some assistance during their spring stay in the county.
The Council soon saw many other needs of the poor in Baldwin County and sought ways to reach out. This caring and desire to reach out with programs that best meet these needs continues today, more than 40 years later. As the demographics of the area changed, the Migrant Day Care program was seeing fewer children and EMI was developing other programs. La Casa de Amigos separated from EMI in 2005 and become an organization with their own mission regarding migrant workers. At the same time EMI's mission expanded to include many different programs to help low-income in the county.
At the beginning years a natural program that evolved was EMI's gleaning program. Food was going to waste in the fields and people were hungry. Farmers were asked to share this food and low income families were contacted to harvest the food and share it with neighbors. This program provided between 300,000 and 600,000 lbs. of food to low income families and individuals every year.
In the early 80's urgent needs for emergency assistance with food, medicine, utilities and housing were evident in the county. EMI and local churches on the Eastern Shore and South Baldwin Area came together to address meeting the basic emergency needs of families for food, housing (rent and utilities), medical and other necessities. At that time there was very limited communication between the churches so that one never knew if those coming to them were also being helped by others. There was no coordination and help was "hit and miss". Many pastors were frustrated in their efforts to provide assistance which they believed to be a part of the mission of their church.
EMI offered a bridge, to bring services under one roof. Churches would help provide the funding for emergency aid centers, recruit volunteers to staff the centers, and stock the food pantries. EMI agreed to coordinate all the services, train volunteers and interview the clients in an established space donated by local churches.
This worked extremely well. Most pastors commend this service as a very special community effort, limiting to a great degree duplication or abuse of services, but meeting in a caring and professional way the needs of these families in emergency situations. Also, the ministry gave referrals to appropriate community resources and encouragement. Working with these clients has been invaluable in promoting greater self sufficiency... a major objective in all of EMI's programs. The self-esteem of the client is always a foremost consideration in all of EMI's interviews.
In time EMI outgrew the donated space of the churches and established two separate emergency aid centers, one in Fairhope and one in Foley.
Also in the late 80's a community spirited effort to reach out to those in need during the Christmas season was coordinated by EMI, and became another program . The Christmas Sharing Program allows EMI to provide special-requested gifts to children and the elderly every year. It is a program that is driven by the community and those that wish to share the true meaning of Christmas. Each Christmas season our program provides Christmas to hundreds of children and elderly individuals.
In 1981 Meals on Wheels was started by an independent group of caring people, many of whom are still involved in the program today. With a minimum of assistance from EMI, this program continues to dispatch volunteers to deliver hot lunches to more than 50 individuals five days a week.
Our home repair program was introduced in the late 1980's for low income, disabled and retired individuals that need help fixing their homes. These individuals do not have the resources or ability to make much needed repairs, and many times EMI is the only place they can turn to.
EMI's latest and one of the most successful programs in addressing the real root causes of poverty is a church-based Community Development Program. This program helps low-income communities come together, build relationships and work together to improve their communities using the church and its values as the foundation. Leadership training and guidance is offered which inspires the individual as assisting the community in their quest to see real positive changes. Much has been accomplished in many communities across Baldwin County to date.
EMI has had a long history of service to the residents of Baldwin County. We have emerged as one of the most respected and oldest social service agencies in the area. The connections we have to our churches, individuals, businesses, organizations, and local governments is invaluable to this agency and its continued success in reaching the families in poverty in our community. All of our programs are only made possible through the funding and volunteer support of the caring people of Baldwin County, for which we are forever grateful.
Ecumenical Ministreies, Inc., P.O. Box 1103, Fairhop, AL 36533/251-928-3430
