The word "need" is huge for anyone’s lexicon, but the Sterling Community Coalition wants to narrow it to Sterling.
The coalition formed in October 2001 to link resources from the public and private sectors with those who need them, while giving those interested in helping others an outlet. The networking group shares information, connecting local agencies that may be unaware of one another and making sure the needy are aware of resources that are available.
The coalition’s needs assessment and resources committee plans to use a survey to identify Sterling’s needs as a basis for setting goals for the coalition. The type of survey and when it will be distributed has not been identified, nor has the coalition found out if other surveys have been done in the area.
“We obviously have the resources here in Sterling looking at our 40 plus attendees at each meeting,” said Kimberley Eshpeter, treasurer. “The professionals, the parents and the citizens are definitely interested in the same common goal … to get resources out to individuals and families that need it.”
The needs assessment and resources committee is one of several newly formed committees of the coalition, which also includes the fund-raising and the membership committees. The fund-raising committee plans to organize fund-raising projects to provide financial assistance for programs and organizations the coalition identifies as needing additional resources. The membership committee’s aim includes advertising the coalition’s existence, seeking business sponsorships and encouraging additional members to join.
“It makes a community stronger when everyone’s working on the same purpose. That’s what this coalition is about,” said Linda Silverman, president of the coalition.
ABOUT 40 MEMBERS turn out for the monthly meetings, held the second Friday of the month to bring together representatives from county government, schools, churches, social services, homeowners associations, medical agencies, law enforcement and private entities and individuals. The March 8 meeting focused on committee reports and introduced the four new officers of the coalition, elected at the February meeting in addition to another eight members of the board of directors. The articles of incorporation and bylaws also were finished in February.
“We have a lot of good community representation from the community, the schools and the different agencies,” said George Monge, coalition member and prevention specialist for Loudoun County Mental Health. “That’s the key for different agencies to network and help each other out.”
Monge helped co-found the coalition with Deputy Chris Jones, community police officer for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, and Sgt. Rick Frye, supervisor of the Community Policing Section.
“I’m confident it’s going to happen with these small steps. This thing is actually alive and is happening. It’s definitely a team effort,” Jones said.
“It bridges communities and bridges cultures,” Frye said. “There’s no majority in this group. Everybody brings something powerful to the table. You get all the points of view.”
The next Sterling Community Coalition meeting is scheduled at noon on April 12 at the Sterling Community Center.