Home / Get Involved / Community Service
We are a church that lives into Jesus’ teaching to love our neighbors as ourselves. In our outreach efforts, we support neighboring organizations financially and as partners who work side by side for mutual transformation.
To connect with a specific Outreach Ministry please email church@goodshepherdruxton.org.
ACTC
The Assistance Center of Towson Churches is located in downtown Towson and provides food, short-term housing support, clothing, medicine, and transportation to our neighbors in need in Baltimore County. Due to the current health crisis, ACTC is not currently allowing volunteers to work at the center, but there are other ways to help!
During non-COVID times, volunteers can work at the center. Throughout the year, it is rewarding to participate in food and clothing drives. To learn more, visit actconline.info
St. Luke's Youth Center
The Church of the Good Shepherd partners with other Episcopal churches to support SLYC, an afterschool safe program that meets at St Luke’s Episcopal Church in West Baltimore. We provide homework help, read to the kids, play games, help with activities, prepare healthy snacks, and let the kids know they matter and that we care about them. The students are a real joy to work with; most have been in the program for several years and have participated in Camp Imagination and the Christmas Café.
There are flexible volunteer opportunities during the school year to mentor and share in activities with SLYC students Monday through Thursday 3pm - 5pm. If you are interested in helping out with these amazing kids, or would like to come for a visit, please contact Amanda Talbot amanda@bmoreslyc.org.
Christmas Café
The Christmas Café takes place in December at Good Shepherd. Parishioners and SLYC families contribute gifts for children and adults in advance. On the day, SLYC families join for lunch; children and adults then “shop” for Christmas gifts for their parents and children. Volunteer sign up information will be available closer to the date.
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Camp Imagination
For two weeks in the summer, Good Shepherd hosts Camp Imagination for SLYC students and youth from our community. Kids enjoy a wide variety of activities and fellowship. Volunteer sign up information will be available closer to the date.
MicroLending Program
The purpose of the Micro-Loan Program is to change peoples’ lives for the better, one loan at a time. Through relationships with trusted individuals in the community, we support and fund individuals and small businesses in order to provide jobs which benefit the Baltimore community.
Loans are evaluated and issued on the basis of our personal relationships with applicants and the Champions who sponsor them and on our confidence that they will benefit the community and create jobs. Loans have ranged from $750 to $4,500. Payment terms are worked out with each individual borrower. To date, the Good Shepherd Micro-Loan Program has invested over $50,000 in the community in the form of 15 loans.
Loaves and Fishes
Our parish has been a partner in the Loaves and Fishes Ministry preparing and distributing meals to our neighbors in need for over 30 year. This year the Church of Good Shepherd will take the lead on the first Saturdays of the month from November through April. Volunteers will get together in the Parish kitchen on Saturday afternoons from 1-3 pm to prepare hot soup, sandwiches, coffee, and hot chocolate to feed 250 people. From 3-6 pm, volunteers will take a van to Baltimore City to distribute the food and beverages. The van will finish its route at a men's shelter with stops along the way in areas where those experiencing homelessness frequent. We also have a great need for blankets and other cold weather gear, as well as new socks. You can find the donation bin in the front hall. If you would like to get involved, we would love to have your support! This is a truly rewarding experience and one that is greatly needed. Any help you can provide is appreciated. Please go to sign up genius to sign up or contact Jill Hanson at jhanson425@gmail.com or 410-292-2754.
