Food. Shelter. Support.
These are a few ways that Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) serves Prince William County residents.
For several decades, the non-profit has provided the basic needs of numerous community members.
The impact it has made was celebrated at a recent gala held at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas.
Based out of Dumfries, the organization seeks to promote hope, provide relief and encourage self-sufficiency.
CEO Steve Liga was first drawn to ACTS’ mission and past.
“I was amazed to hear that this is a community-based organization founded 50 years ago because the community came together to help a family,” Liga said.
Founding Members and Original Volunteers Susan Blanton, Jo Anne Westhoff, Pat Hoover and Gladys Friedrich spoke about the non-profit.
Several religious organizations established ACTS. The first meeting took place in January 1969.
“They all wanted to be of assistance to people that either lived here and had fallen on hard times, or were just driving through and needed a place to stay,” Hoover said.
The county’s first food bank and a shelter were established.
A community member purchased a house and planned to use the property for a car wash. The structure was left standing and it became ACTS’ Beverly Warren Emergency Shelter.
“The thing was, ‘How are we going to pay the rent?’” Friedrich explained. “And Lucy Davis said, ‘Gladys will open a thrift store in the living room.’ And I said, ‘I will?’ And I did.”
