Shaw Community Ministry Inc.
The Potomac Association of the United Church of Christ founded Shaw Community Ministry Inc. in the Shaw community, a low-income area of Northwest Washington, D.C., in 1991. Shaw Community Ministry Inc. develops and implements educational and social programs that enhance the growth and lives of children, youth, and adults in Northwest Washington, the Lincoln-Westmoreland Apartments, and the Shaw community area. The organization supports English as a Second Language, tutoring and mentoring programs, nutritional classes, and  yoga/relaxation classes. It also sends children to camp each summer and provides college scholarships for promising high school students from the Shaw area.

Little River UCC provides representatives to the Shaw Community Ministry Board and financial support to the organization’s programs. Little River members also volunteer, working with the children and youth or the staff of Shaw. Shaw Community Ministry is one of the organizations that receives children’s Christmas gifts that are donated during Little River’s annual White Gift service. Little River members also contribute financially to the Shaw effort to “Send a Child to Camp.”

United College Ministries of Northern Virginia
United College Ministries of Northern Virginia (UCMNV) reaches out and provides spiritual support to students on the campuses of George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College, regardless of the students’ affiliation with Christianity. Through ordained and peer ministers, UCMNV fosters awareness in students that the greater community cares about them. Activities include the “Listening Post,” a place to talk with a person who listens, responds, and provides non-judgmental companionship; campus involvement through organizing events on topics of interest such as world hunger; mission work trips; a weekly meal with informal conversation, and the publicizing of events, activities and resources available throughout the national capital area. Little River UCC provides financial support and office space to UCMNV, and several Little River members volunteer in various capacities.

Food For Others
Food for Others helps meet the nutritional needs of people in Northern Virginia who are unable to provide adequate food for themselves and their families. As the largest distributor of free food directly to people in need in Northern Virginia, it furnishes the assistance vitally needed by our unemployed and low-income neighbors, and it provides a safety net for people who suddenly face unforeseen emergencies such as a family illness or the loss of a job or a spouse. Little River UCC provides financial support to Food for Others, and Little River members provide assistance by collecting surplus food from local grocery stores, working in the warehouse, and serving on the Board of Directors.

Fairfax FISH (For Immediate, Sympathetic Help)
FISH is an ecumenical outreach program that works through referrals from the Fairfax County Department of Human Services to assist people in need in Fairfax County. FISH provides food, clothing, and financial assistance for rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, gasoline, and medical bills. FISH volunteers also deliver food to homes. Little River UCC supports FISH financially, participates with 14 other member churches on the FISH Council, maintains a FISH food pantry, and provides volunteers who respond to FISH requests for assistance one day every four weeks. In addition, on each communion Sunday, many people bring non-perishable food donations to restock the food pantry.

Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry
Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry (NOVAM) educates the community about HIV/AIDS to combat the fear and prejudice that surround the disease and offers direct services to meet the needs of those who are living with HIV/AIDS. NOVAM seeks to affirm God’s love for all those who have been touched by the epidemic, regardless of gender, race, disability, creed, sexual orientation, or national origin. Begun in 1987, NOVAM now provides children’s support services, transportation, emotional support, emergency support, education, and House Helper programs. Little River provides financial support and meeting space to NOVAM.

Thrive DC
Thrive DC works to prevent and end homelessness by recognizing the dignity and potential of women and men in need and providing services that meet basic needs, educate and empower people, and create community. Little River UCC financial support and volunteers help provide services, including preparing and serving two meals a day, free showers and laundry, employment training, mentoring, and more. Thrive DC was previously known as the Dinner Program for Homeless Women and is located in Northwest Washington, D.C.

Homestretch
Homestretch is the largest provider of transitional housing to homeless families in Fairfax County. Its mission is to empower homeless families to return to stable housing and self-sufficiency by giving them the skills, knowledge, and hope they need to become productive participants in their communities. In addition to housing, Homestretch provides many other services to help families succeed, including life skills, computer literacy, GED, and financial management classes as well as intensive case management and mentoring services. Homestretch places special emphasis on children, offering numerous enrichment services to ensure that they have the best possible chance of a normal, healthy childhood. Little River UCC provides financial support to Homestretch.

Christmas Gifts for Underserved Children
The White Gift service is a long-standing and cherished tradition at Little River UCC that reenacts the story of the Wise Men bringing gifts to the infant Jesus. As the service culminates, the congregation carries gifts – simply wrapped in white – to the manger scene. Through this service, hundreds of gifts are provided each year to needy children served by the Shaw Community Ministry in D.C., the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) in Annandale, and the Main Street Child Development Center in Fairfax.

Walks for Causes
Each year, Little River UCC organizes groups to participate in walks to raise awareness on issues or to raise money for worthy causes. Recent walks with Little River participation include Walk for Homeless, the Gay Pride parade, and Angelman Syndrome.

Special Funds
The Hubert S. Beckwith Scholarship Fund was established to honor Little River's founding pastor and to assist seminary students from the Potomac Association of the UCC who have demonstrated academic excellence and sustained commitment to community service. Currently a $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually. The Deacons’ and Pastors’ Benevolence Fund is available to the pastors for response to emergency needs within our congregation and the local community.