Valor Ministries

The Valor Crisis and Training Center was established in 2013 as the result of an increase in requests for services and referrals from larger community and governmental agencies that were routinely running out of funds. The center assists low income adult residents of Washington County to achieve self-sufficiency through a two-fold case management and education approach. In December, 2015, we began incorporating new standards that offer a more elaborate analysis of what it means to be self-sufficient. This includes utilization of a Self-Sufficiency Evaluation Matrix that defines up to 25 key areas and outcome scales. The standard is calculated based on the income a working family must have in order to meet their basic needs without public assistance. Clients are monitored over a period of time to create a more accurate assessment of progress.

Washington County is the fourth highest county in Maryland with people living below the poverty level. Renters are three times as likely to be cost overburdened by 50% or more. In addition, a single parent with two children would need to make almost $45,000 per year to be self-sufficient. Our clients do not even come close to that. Without intervention, they may never have enough money to cover even their basic needs.

We are conscious of the demographics and statistics in our service area and are committed to growing and adapting our center to meet emerging needs. We believe our program not only strengthens families but also helps reduce the strain on the local economy. We are quickly becoming the go-to agency providing crisis assistance and instruction to those affected by poor choices and economic conditions. In 2015, the results we achieved by providing housing assistance alone potentially saved our community a total of 1.44 million dollars.

Our 2016 objectives include ensuring that roughly 1,800 residents will be impacted by our efforts. We project that 400 clients will attend our Earn While You Learn classes with over 90% reporting skills improvement. Another goal we have set is for no less than 91 individuals, along with their family members, to be case managed to maintain or establish housing. We estimate 20% of our clients will move up at least one level in one key area on the self-sufficiency matrix. Lastly, we anticipate 50 clients will successfully participate in mentoring to improve their self-esteem, ability to avoid problem or high-risk behaviors, and to help them reach their fullest potential.