Welcome to... Christian Help of Mingo County

We envision a caring community, in which some, impelled by the love of God and/or human care and concern for their brothers and sisters, share their goods with those less materially blessed—sort of like the early Christian community.

We see Christian Help as the instrument through which this help is given, whose task it is to evaluate situations, assess need, respond with the needed help, and encourage and assist the recipients in striving for self-reliance and independence.

The West Virginia Department of Public Transportation provides a public notice under Title VI, that each agency will not discriminate against anyone. If a passenger or user of our transit system feels they have been discriminated against by Christian Help Inc., of Mingo County the following information and forms are available to file a formal complaint.

Christian Help is a nondenominational public charity helping to meet poverty and emergency needs. It was incorporated in the State of West Virginia in 1996 and is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) agency.

Christian Help got its start in 1994 when the former director of Christian Help in Morgantown decided to form a new CHI in some poor, more rural place, where there was more need and fewer resources. We rented the first floor of building in East Kermit. ABLE Families, our partner agency, rented the second floor.

In 1996 the Corps of Engineers decided to buy that building and tear it down as part of its Flood Control Program. In 1998 Christian Help, together with its neighboring agency, ABLE Families, began construction of a new building in the heart of Kermit. It was occupied by the two agencies in April of 1999.

In 2004 the two agencies constructed a second building, which provided space for an after-school classroom for ABLE Families and a furniture “warehouse” for Christian Help. That building was occupied in March, 2005. The two agencies complement each other, with Christian Help providing material and financial help for those in need and ABLE Families providing a continuum of educational programs to help people break out of poverty.

In the fall of 2009, as Christian Help celebrated its fifteenth anniversary in Mingo County, Sr. Brendan Conlon retired as director, at the age of 82. On the occasion, she was awarded the prestigious 35th Star Medal from West Virginia governor Joe Manchin. Sr. Therese Carew, a Franciscan sister from Indiana now directs Christian Help. She lives with fellow community member Sr. Patricia Ann Murray (who is Program Director at ABLE Families) in Warfield, Kentucky.

Christian Help is supported entirely by donations, mostly from churches and individuals. It is not affiliated with any one church and serves anyone in need, regardless of race or religion--or lack of religion.

Chief among Christian Help's needs are money donations--to help with utility terminations, rents, medicines, food, home and car repairs, gasoline, diapers, and whatever else may be needed.

Other needs include clothing, especially children's, and men's work clothes, towels and washcloths, sheets, pillows, blankets, spreads, dishes, silverware, curtains, all kinds of furniture, non-perishable foods, and toiletries.

And we welcome your prayers for those we serve and for us who serve them--that we may find Christ in them and they in us.