Smoothing Life's Roller Coaster
Author: Anne Vial and Ed Hess
August 05, 2020
Ed Hess
hangs out at the church a lot – not as much these days, of course, but still his
work goes on. If you happen to see him, he is likely to be collecting and/or
distributing coats, backpacks, food, and water to neighbors throughout Camden
County. Ed wears two hats around here, one as diligent and busy deacon and
pillar of the church, and the other as the paid caseworker for the Haddonfield
Council of Churches (HCC). Ed is the one who meets and talks with community
members who come to any of the churches in town asking for help. His resources
come from the member churches of the HCC and other community organizations. His
office is tucked behind the balcony in First Presbyterian.
Ed serves
an impressive number of people – you can see the numbers below. And he is able
to help with a variety of needs. Types of assistance provided include bus
passes, Acme cards, consultations, referrals, food pantry, rental assistance,
and utility shut-off. Ed works with individuals and families who are
unemployed, homeless, hungry, seeking benefits to which they are entitled, in
need of legal counsel or just searching for someone to whom they can share
their burdens. Not only has Ed provided financial assistance for rent,
utilities, transportation, and food, but he has also assisted many in finding
resources to which they are entitled through Camden County Social Services, the
V.A., their insurance carriers, and pension providers. Ed is humble about what
he does, but his work has enormous impact. As you might imagine, the folks who
come to him are experiencing even greater need in the midst of COVID-19.
The
numbers tell the practical side of the story. The fuller picture is much richer. When you talk to Ed, you know that Ed’s clients become
like family to him. He rides the roller coaster of income and food insecurity
with them and finds ways to make the ride smoother. He anticipates who will come see him and with what need. He knows which families
will need toys to give their kids at Christmas. It’s true that Ed is paid for the social
work part of his job. It is also true that he goes well beyond the hours and
effort required in his part-time job. As First Presbyterian takes up the
challenge of becoming a Matthew 25 church, here is one disciple already leading
the way.
Summary of Caseworkers Services in 2019 – the numbers part of the story:
Number of Clients
Receiving Services
80 Haddonfield Church Members
42 New clients
116 Phone calls received
Types
of Assistance Provided
37 Bus passes
209 Acme card
59 Petty cash (under $20)
109 Consultations
26 Referrals
33 Food pantry
72 Rental assistance
35 Homelessness
69 Utility Shut-off
Miscellaneous - assistance with furniture,
motel, hospital, Walmart gift cards, license fees, blankets and sheets, court
fees, storage fees, prescription drugs, U.S. Government shut down, coats and
clothes, child support payments, funeral expenses, car repair, work clothes,
phone minutes.
Christmas
& Thanksgiving
36 Calls for Christmas and Thanksgiving
7 Sponsored
families
19 Provided toys for additional families
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