Focus on Volunteerism: Southwest Emergency Services

Southwest Emergency Services (SWES) is an Arbutus-based ministry that wears many different hats for members of the community in need.

Supported by a coalition of 19 area churches, the organization provides everything from emergency financial assistance to free clothing for individuals and families living in the southwestern Baltimore county area. Director Betty Okonski describes the organization as a “small Salvation Army” because of the sheer multitude of services they provide.

In 2009, SWES provided more than $84,000 to help families avoid eviction, disbursed $7,500 to help people pay their mortgages, paid nearly $36,000 in utility bills and almost $3,800 for gasoline (so people can get back and forth from jobs), and distributed more than $246,000 worth of food.

Located behind the Arbutus United Methodist Church, at Shelbourne and Maple Avenue, the ministry has both an on-site food pantry and a free clothing store that locals can visit as often as once every week.

Community residents in need of emergency financial aid can turn to Southwest Emergency Services for assistance in funding their utility bills, prescription medications, home oil needs, and even monthly rent payments. 

The minimum qualification for community members hoping to utilize any of these services is simply having a 21227 home zip code. In order to receive financial assistance, additional conditions must be met.

Remarkably enough, SWES is able to meet such a wide array of needs primarily through generous donations and the work of volunteers, in addition to its ties with such a great number of local church congregations. 

But the operation is constantly in the market for more helpers. Donations are always welcome, whether in the form of clothing, household goods, funding, or unpaid work. Volunteers are needed on a regular basis for tasks such as answering phones, sorting donated clothing, assisting shoppers, and performing necessary housekeeping chores around the property. SWES provides new volunteers with all of the training required for these positions. 

Supported by the generosity of the community, a large majority of the work that SWES performs goes back to local families. In fact, 93% of the donations received by the organization goes directly to meeting the needs of the community. 

For inquiries about volunteering, to make a donation, or to access any of their financial assistance programs, Southwest Emergency Services can be reached by phone at 410-247-8154.