We are "to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan,
to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all . . . "
Joseph Smith
Welcome to the Oakton Stake Relief Society Women's Humanitarian Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Our conference theme, "Reach Up, Reach Out" describes our desire to reach up to God, and then to reach out to our neighbors in need. We look forward to partnering with other organizations of faith to serve members of our community.
About LDS Humanitarian Services
Humanitarian work is an essential part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Members seek to emulate Jesus Christ, "who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed." (Acts 10:38)
Mission
LDS Humanitarian Services is a branch of the Welfare Services Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its mission is to relieve suffering, foster self-reliance for people of all nationalities and religions, and provide opportunities for service.
History
Throughout its history, the LDS Church has provided for those in need and is perhaps best known for its efforts to take care of its own. In 1842, the LDS church established a women's organization called the Relief Society. Members were charged with providing relief to the poor and suffering. During the Great Depression, the LDS Church organized a welfare program, known today as Welfare Services, to help provide for the needs of its members.
Humanitarian Initiatives
The welfare efforts of the LDS Church have expanded to help people around the world regardless of religion, race, or nationality. LDS Humanitarian Services partners with governments and nonprofit agencies around the world. Humanitarian initiatives include clean water, vision treatment, wheelchair provision, neonatal resuscitation, disaster relief, immunizations, family enrichment programs, and family food production.
Since 1985, help has been given to 28 million people in 169 countries. In 2012 alone, LDS Humanitarian Services provided aid to 3.3 million people in 122 countries. All of these initiatives, as well as support and advice on personal and community preparation for disasters, can be found on the LDS Church's Provident Living website.
Funding
Funding for LDS Humanitarian Services comes from the philanthropic support of LDS church members in the form of fast offerings and from other donors. Donations to the Humanitarian Fund are collected through local bishops and through LDS Philanthropy.
Local Projects
About LDS Humanitarian Services
Humanitarian work is an essential part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Members seek to emulate Jesus Christ, "who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed." (Acts 10:38)
Mission
LDS Humanitarian Services is a branch of the Welfare Services Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its mission is to relieve suffering, foster self-reliance for people of all nationalities and religions, and provide opportunities for service.
History
Throughout its history, the LDS Church has provided for those in need and is perhaps best known for its efforts to take care of its own. In 1842, the LDS church established a women's organization called the Relief Society. Members were charged with providing relief to the poor and suffering. During the Great Depression, the LDS Church organized a welfare program, known today as Welfare Services, to help provide for the needs of its members.
Humanitarian Initiatives
The welfare efforts of the LDS Church have expanded to help people around the world regardless of religion, race, or nationality. LDS Humanitarian Services partners with governments and nonprofit agencies around the world. Humanitarian initiatives include clean water, vision treatment, wheelchair provision, neonatal resuscitation, disaster relief, immunizations, family enrichment programs, and family food production.
Since 1985, help has been given to 28 million people in 169 countries. In 2012 alone, LDS Humanitarian Services provided aid to 3.3 million people in 122 countries. All of these initiatives, as well as support and advice on personal and community preparation for disasters, can be found on the LDS Church's Provident Living website.
Funding
Funding for LDS Humanitarian Services comes from the philanthropic support of LDS church members in the form of fast offerings and from other donors. Donations to the Humanitarian Fund are collected through local bishops and through LDS Philanthropy.
Local Projects
- In September 2013, on the Day to Serve, we combined with other houses of worship in our region (VA, MD, DC, and parts of WV) to collect 360,000 pounds of food for area food banks.
- In the Fall of 2013, the Oakton Virginia Stake: gathered 8,000 pounds of food; cleaned up 350 parks or stream beds; donated approximately 750 items of new clothing to the Wounded Warrior Project to help them interview successfully for new jobs; donated $67,000 worth of food from our Bishop's Storehouse to organizations that feed the poor; assisted Fairfax County in the emergency collection and distribution of 18,000 blankets for Syrian refugees; and contributed 1,500 blankets and labor hours to package, load, and distribute all goods.
- In 2014, the Oakton Stake Relief Society: donated 300 weekend food packs for children; donated 106 hygiene kits to area shelters; gave 48 hand-sewn teddy bears to Fair Oaks Hospital trauma care patients; wrote 115 note cards to Operation Write Home for our servicemen and women; handmade 150 ties for Operation Gratitude to help keep our troops cool while serving in the sand and sun; made 24 Joy Jars for the Caris Health Care Network in Southern Virginia to be given to hospice patients; stitched together 24 activity blankets for patients with dementia or Alzheimers at the Caris Health Care Network, the Fairfax Nursing Center, and the Sunrise Retirement Home; made 26 neck pillows for patients who need extra support in their wheelchairs or beds and donated them to Caris Health Care Center; made and donated 1 quilt to Caris Health Network.