Seton Center

The Seton Center

Impacting Lives

By Lynn Tayler

Hank’s* landlord had raised the rent again. What had been affordable a few years ago was becoming unsustainable. Hank was employed, but as is the case for many of us, his wages have not increased as quickly as the price of everything else has. He was already two months behind on his rent and facing eviction when he came to Seton Center for assistance.

Hank is typical of the many clients Seton Center sees regularly. More than half of Northern Frederick County residents struggle to feed, clothe, and house themselves and their families. In Thurmont and Emmitsburg, that number is close to 60%. The only social service organization operating in Northern Frederick County, Seton Center assists residents with short-term financial assistance for rent, utilities, medical bills, and the like. They also provide referrals to outside agencies, assist in completing government forms (such as requests for Social Security Disability Insurance or Food Stamps), and help with the job search process. The DePaul Dental Program provides access to deeply discounted or pro-bono adult dental services and continuing oral health education.

Seton Center operates within the Building Bridges Out of Poverty model, recognizing the need to partner with people looking to improve their circumstances, not merely hand out money or tell them what to do. Their definition of poverty includes not only those who live at or below the federal poverty guideline but who fit the definition of ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are the “working poor” in the community, struggling for self-sufficiency while only one unexpected car repair or medical bill away from disaster.

The Seton Family Store is a significant part of Seton Center’s operations. Proceeds from the Family Store help fund the outreach programs. Staff and volunteers take care to accept quality items for resale and price them competitively, most often lower than comparable items in other local thrift shops. Customers can find anything from clothing and shoes for the whole family to antiques and collectibles to housewares and furniture. Clothing and household items that are unsold after a certain time are donated to other local charities, such as The Rescue Mission or Heartley House.

Seton Center Outreach is open Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Call 301-447-6102 to inquire about assistance. The Seton Family Store is open for shopping Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., and accepts donations Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Visit SetonCenter.org for more information. *Name changed to protect privacy

Seton Center Outreach is here to assist

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