Teens Opposing Poverty

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 The Ministries of Teens Opposing Poverty

Teens Opposing Poverty’s ministries empower youth to combat poverty through service, compassion, and advocacy.

Explore the diverse ministries of Teens Opposing Poverty (TOP), spanning nearly 40 years of empowering teens to serve those in need. From outreach to the homeless in Washington, DC, to home repairs for low-income families in Virginia, and the compassionate legacy of Kelsey Kares, discover how TOP is transforming lives and communities through service, friendship, and hope.

The Street

For over 35 years, Teens Opposing Poverty (TOP) has empowered teens to make a difference in the lives of homeless people. Beginning in Washington, DC, and expanding throughout Virginia, TOP has trained youth from hundreds of church, school, and civic groups to meet the needs of homeless people.

Our staff members evaluate ministry sites for safety and train groups on how to prepare food and other items for the homeless. But the focus of The Street is to teach volunteers how to offer friendship, encouragement, and hope to the people they serve.

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Impact the Valley

TOP works with area churches and other organizations to sponsor a local, ecumenical, mission event bringing teenagers and adults of all ages together for a week of service. Since 2005, over 1,500 volunteers have repaired more than 170 homes belonging to low-income families.

Senior Ministry

In early 2013, TOP began ministry with low-income seniors living in subsidized housing. Our volunteers provide groceries, toiletries, paper products, and other needed supplies and spend time with residents singing, playing games, and just hanging out. Since 2013, TOP has established senior ministry in four communities.

Kelsey Kares

Kelsey Orndorff was taken from us on August 29, 2008, in a tragic automobile accident. She was only 17 years old. From the time she was a young girl, Kelsey personified the best of what young people can be. She was a passionate follower of Christ and had a passion for people, especially poor people. Kelsey showed remarkable courage and leadership ability that stemmed from her strong faith.

When she was still a pre-teen, she became active in TOP. She went into situations where other people wouldn’t go in order to reach out to the poor and homeless. In the last year of her life, she took the lead and founded TOP’s outreach into Fredericksburg, Virginia, through the Christian high school she attended.

To honor Kelsey’s memory and establish a living legacy that reflects the love she carried for people who are trapped in the stranglehold of poverty, TOP has renamed its Direct Aid Fund to Kelsey Kares. Kelsey Kares is a designated, restricted fund. Donations made to Kelsey Kares can only be used to provide direct assistance to the poor and homeless.

Overview of Kelsey Kares 

In their work with the poor and homeless, TOP teens discover special needs that go beyond the food, clothes, toiletries, or home repairs we routinely provide. These needs often aren’t provided by other agencies or institutions. The requests are usually simple, relatively inexpensive needs that can have life-changing impacts. Some of the items we have provided in the past are listed below.

Transportation

Emergency vehicle repair

Tools

Medicine

Emergency assistance with utilities

Work boots or other specialized work clothing

Rental assistance to prevent eviction or secure housing

And other specific needs too numerous to mention

Providing one of these simple needs may be the missing link in getting a homeless person off the street or keeping a person or family from becoming homeless.

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