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Through partnership with many local and regional providers,
St. Paul’s provides important medical and social services
to individuals facing HIV/AIDS, addiction, and homelessness.
Each week, the church provides on-site HIV/AIDS testing, medical
care, and health education. Case workers from Health Care
for the Homeless visit St. Paul’s twice each week and
as called to provide medical care to individuals who do not
receive adequate health care because of poverty and unstable
housing conditions. As host to a daily Alcoholics and Narcotics
Anonymous group, St. Paul’s helps members of its congregation
and community address their addiction issues.
Other important programs that are part of our referral network
include the Peninsula Regional Consortium of Care (COC), Newport
News Living Interfaith Network (LINK), People Offering Resources
Together (PORT), Peninsula Aids Foundation (PAF), the Veterans
Administration, and the Community Services Board (CSB) of
the Newport News/Hampton Social Services.
The Peninsula Regional Consortium of Care (COC)
is made up of public and private sector providers whose
programs address the needs of people struggling to overcome
the challenges of poverty. St. Paul’s is a member
of this group which meets monthly.
Newport News Living Interfaith Network (LINK) is
an interfaith coalition of congregations providing emergency
assistance for people in need.
People Offering Resources Together (PORT) is a night
shelter program administered by Newport News LINK involving
local congregations who open their doors during the cold
season to provide supper, shelter, and a light breakfast
for up to 50 people each night. St. Paul’s is a participating
site for weather emergencies (when the PORT van is unable
to transport downtown guests to outlying suburban churches)
and parishioners offer volunteer support.
Case workers from the Peninsula Aids Foundation (PAF)
meet clients at St. Paul’s during the hours of A
Safe Place and at other times as arranged by the staff.
Healthcare workers from the Hampton Veterans’ Administration
are available one day each week at St. Paul’s to meet
with eligible veterans.
HIV/AIDS education specialists from the Hampton/Newport
News Community Services Board (CSB) are present twice
monthly at the Saturday Noon Meal for testing, education,
counseling, referrals. The parish provides a place where
case workers from the Community Services Board (a
state agency that provides support for people suffering
with mental illness, addictions) can meet with clients.
Yearly, St. Paul’s offers its facilities for regional
social service agencies and programs to corporately educate
the community and clients about available resources.
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