Duncan Memorial has a long tradition of active service in missions in our own community and around the world. Teams from the congregation have served in missions in Ukraine, the Philippines, and Mexico. Locally, Duncan Memorial members volunteer with West Hanover Wood Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Ashland Christian Emergency Services (A.C.E.S.), and Circles Ashland, to name just a few. We invite you to put your faith into action with us!
Ashland Community Emergency Services (A.C.E.S.)
A.C.E.S. is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that was founded in 1950 and is supported by community groups, scouts, churches, schools, and individuals. Their mission is to serve and address the unmet needs of the less fortunate in our community. They provide household items, food, clothing, and limited financial aid. In addition, A.C.E.S. provides some transient aid and has limited medical equipment available.
A.C.E.S. is located at 507B Caroline Street in Ashland. Congregation members are involved through their work during hours of operation, donating usable items and monetary donations. This non-profit receives no federal, state, or local funding, and exists solely as the result of donations received, either material or monetary. Please consider becoming involved in this ministry. You may call them Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 8:30 am-11:30 am at (804) 798-2784.
For more information, visit the Ashland Christian Emergency Services website.
Circles Ashland
Developed and launched by Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church in 2016, Circles Ashland, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Virginia nonprofit corporation with the mission to inspire, inform, and equip individuals, families, and community members to resolve poverty and thrive.
The focus area is Ashland, Virginia – a seven square mile town of 7,503 located on the I-95 corridor 15 miles north of Richmond where the issue of deep poverty resides among nearly 15% of Ashland’s population; about 1,100 children and families.
Circles Ashland is the first Virginia chapter of Circles USA, a national organization that is committed to resolving poverty in the United States and Canada. It provides resources and support for independent organizations wanting to establish its highly regarded and proven model in their communities.
Currently, Circles is active in 12 major cities and 59 counties across America, with expansion plans to reach 10% of major cities and 10% of all counties in the U.S.
Circles employs a unique, two-pronged approach. For two years or more, it provides life skills training, individual coaching, peer support, leadership development, links to employment, children’s programming, and more to selected low-wage earners who are highly motivated to climb out of poverty. Concurrently, Circles works with community members and organizations to recognize and address systemic barriers to self-sufficiency, such as livable-wage jobs, accessible, affordable, and reliable transportation, affordable housing, and the resolution of Cliff Effects.
For more information, contact Circles Ashland at info@circlesashland-va.org or by phone at (804) 496-1212.