About us

 

The Extended Hand Ministry (TEHM) was founded in 1984 by Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Davis while she was staff Chaplain of Memorial Hospital of Burlington County and the pastor of  Mt. Moriah A.M.E. church of Mount Holly, New Jersey.

 

After communicating with the social services manager of Burlington County, Rev. Davis and a team of volunteers decided to assist the poor and needy of Burlington County with temporary shelter, food and clothing.

 

Rev. Davis resigned from the A.M.E. Conference and continued to offer community services through The Extended Hand Ministries at 275 Holeman Street, Mount Holly New Jersey, the home of Christian Community Chapel (currently known as Christian Community Center of Mount  Mount Holly, New Jersey Inc).

 

During the early 1990's The Extended Hand Ministries operated a men's shelter on Rose Street, Mount Holly, providing meals, clothing and employment coaching etc for, four men.

 

A second shelter was founded on Belmont Street, Burlington City New Jersey for mothers and six children where again meals, clothing and spiritual services were provided. Unfortunately these houses are no longer available to the ministry.

 

During this time, The Extended Hand Ministries was serving breakfast to those in need, seven days a week at the Christian Community Center, presently the current location of the homeless shelter.

 

1990 the ministry started to serve lunch four days a week, serving about five hundred meals each month which continues to this day.In addition the ministry distributes holiday baskets, holds community picnics on Memorial Day and Fourth of July as well as holiday meals Easter, Thanks Giving and Christmas.

 

The ministries food pantry, stocked solely by generous donations from the public, provides well balanced food baskets for those in need, without question.

 

Classrooms at the Holeman Street location were converted into sleeping accommodations for eleven single males and three single females, who are provided daily with breakfast and evening dinner seven days a week. Residents are required to seek employment and take steps to better their lives.

 

Currently the demand for shelter has become a twenty four hour, three hundred and sixty five day en-devour with ever increasing demands for more beds and housing, thus the ministry is exploring ways expand and assist single mothers, families and young adults.

 

During the winter months due to extreme weather conditions, the state calls an emergency, the sanctuary and dining room are converted into sleeping areas. There is however an acute shortage of beds in Burlington County.