In the late fall of 1999, the ministers of the Perry County (PA) Cluster of the United Methodist Church began collaborating to fill a need within the county for a joint method to aid people in need. The concept was to have a church-supported organization that could coordinate requests for assistance that came directly to each of the churches. Join Hands Ministry was created to be that organization.
Prior to the creation of Join Hands Ministry, Inc. Perry County residents with a myriad of needs sought help directly from the religious community. The faith community was confronted with:
- Lack of awareness of needs in the community;
- The availability of existing public service agencies;
- Duplication of services among the churches (repeated help given to the same family for the same concern); and
- The inability to verify the legitimacy of the need being requested.
Join Hands Ministry, Inc. would be the central point of contact service with the purpose of making these needs known among the area churches, filling in the “gaps” for persons in need, and creating a standardization of qualifying true poverty needs while establishing lines of accountability for responsible management of funds and goods donated.
Since its inception, Join Hands Ministry, Inc. had been governed by a board of pastors from the Cluster. However, with frequent transitions of ministers in and out of the Cluster, maintaining consistency became a challenge. Based on recommendations from the Join Hands Advisory Board, it became clear that a new governance structure was essential to ensure the long-term success of this vital service. In 2023, Join Hands Ministry, Inc. transitioned into an independent nonprofit organization with a Board of Directors that more accurately reflects the Perry County community. The first Board of Directors of the newly organized agency included several members from the original advisory board.
Today, Join Hands Ministry, Inc. is supported by and partnered jointly with 80+ Perry County church entities, 30+ businesses, 20+ civic groups, 10+ foundations, thousands of volunteer hours, and 200+ individuals/ families.
Current services include:
- addressing financial needs, spending plans and budgeting education,
- access to essential small household items,
- providing toiletry items,
- support for children and teens through the Youth Assistance Program,
- vehicle referrals for women through a partnership with Wheels for Women,
- providing necessary back-to-school items as well as sneakers, coats, and clothing
- supporting families and seniors during the Christmas season.
As the heart of Perry County, Join Hands Ministry remains dedicated to uplifting our neighbors through unwavering support, education, and essential resources.
Through collaborative partnerships and innovative programs, we have strengthened our community—ensuring that those facing hardships are met with compassion, guidance, and the opportunities needed to build a more resilient future.