Judith Clark
Judith Clark is founder and director of Women Who Care Ministries, a faith-inspired, community outreach and non-profit organization based in Montgomery Village, MD. The primary mission is to help hurting people overcome obstacles in life, primarily through offering safety-net services. Under Judith's leadership, the organization continues to grow into an even more vibrant outreach vehicle, geared towards community activities to help women, children, teen-agers and families who need a helping hand, in any way.
1. The organization’s mission is “To help hurting people transition into a brighter day.” How were you inspired?
I started it from the need to help people who were broken to be stabilized and full again. I’ve been that woman in the dark place and have overcome many obstacles in life. As a result, I’ve found it necessary to give back by helping others get to the point of freedom — to help them transition from the darkness into the light; to transfer out of a place of despair into a place of hope; and to learn how to take their stumbling blocks and turn them into stepping stones. We help them realize that it is a process that doesn’t take place over night but over time. We encourage them that they have to be willing to do the work and let God, the universe and others in your life help you with the rest of it.
2. In what type of situations do women come to you?
Women come seeking assistance in almost every area. We have women coming to us with brokenness from domestic abuse, from toxic, unhealthy relationships, issues with children, unemployment issues, housing issues or substance abuse issues. Many of these issues are part of my history so it makes me equipped to have compassion and the fortitude that is necessary to help others. We also get calls from women who aren’t broken but want to get to the next level of their lives and we mentor a lot of those women. There are all different facets of the community who are asking for advice. If we can’t help them directly, we refer them through our resource directory to point them in the direction they either want or need to be.
3. The organization is celebrating its 10th Anniversary next week. How did it grow to become the community outreach organization it is today?
We initially started as a women’s fellowship group in my living room. Women would come with typical women’s issues and it was confidential. Women were free to share their deepest, darkest secrets. It was for all women, of all ages, races, backgrounds and religions. We were women who were trying to help each other. There was a sense of empowerment that was taking us from a place of selfishness to selflessness. And you need to be self-less to do the kind of community outreach that we’re doing today, 10 years later.
4. In addition to counseling, tell me about your workshops and programs?
When I started this ministry, I was working full-time as a paralegal in a law firm. It taught me that confidence gets you where you want to be. That’s why today, we have so many programs for women that include life skills empowerment workshops such as teaching them how to go from homelessness to home-ownership. We teach interviewing skills, dressing for success, building self-esteem and one of our signature topics is “Kicking Fear To The Curb” because fears are barriers that can block you from success. About five years ago, I had a calling and marched out of corporate America to continue this ministry full-time.
5. Your powerful work with kids and women also includes teens. Tell me how
teen-agers are involved?
Many teens who volunteer are ordered to do community service by the court because they have committed a first offense. It may be smoking marijuana or shoplifting and these teens come from all economic levels in Montgomery County and within the area. We want to empower these teens and foster self esteem, yet, we often have to practice tough love. I often say to them, “I’d rather fuss at you on your way to Yale, than pray for you on your way to jail.”
6. You’re celebrating your 10th year with an Anniversary Gala on August 28th. Tell me about that?
It’s a benefit gala as part of our $1 million capital campaign to help end childhood hunger within our local community. It supports our signature program, “Helping Kids Eat Backpack Weekend Food Program.” Each Friday we fill backpacks with healthy,
nutritious, nonperishable food items for kids to eat over the weekend. We partner with elementary and middle-schools in Montgomery and Frederick Counties and provide this food free-of-charge to kids in need so they don’t go hungry over the weekend, and then they return to school on Monday, ready to learn and able to concentrate on their studies. The more kids we feed, the more knocks we get on our door for help. We no longer serve schools only in impoverished areas, as there is also a need for kids in middle-class schools. We don’t want any kid going to bed hungry; especially here in our own backyards. Additionally, we have a “Helping Others Eat” food pantry that provides three to five days of emergency food for families.
7. How can we buy tickets to support your Gala this Sunday, August 28?
The best way is to go to our website: www.womenwhocareministries.orgor phone us at 301-963-8588. Tickets are $50 and tables of 10 are $500. This includes a full-course dinner buffet, dancing, singing and poetry. It’s going to be a very inspiring and uplifting event, and bring the community together for a worthy cause. Many supporters and local government officials will be there. Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are available. So, please go to our website and purchase some tickets. If you are unable to attend, please make a donation. Thanks for your support!
I was inspired by reading the mission statement alone. But after meeting Judith, that was only the beginning. She is a gift. I hope you’ll get more information, and if you can, buy a ticket or make a donation. Here’s the direct link: Women Who Care Ministries
