Women Who Care Ministries Founder Honored in Gaithersburg

Judith Clark started a women’s fellowship group out of her home in Montgomery County where more than 35 women attended almost 20 years ago.

Today, Clark is the founder of Women Who Care Ministries- a nonprofit that helps people transition to a “brighter day.” On Aug. 17, the Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council honored Clark for her work with more than over 20,000 women, men, and children.

“I am just so grateful. This is what this award does: they fill you with joy and deepens my sense of purpose,” Clark said.

Mayor of Gaithersburg Jud Ashman said the community is “lucky” to have her.

“I’ve had the opportunity to spend some time with Judith over the past year and I can personally attest to her commitment to helping the vulnerable, to supporting people in recovery from addiction, and tirelessly trying to make life better for people in our community who need help,” said Mayor of Gaithersburg Jud Ashman.

Clark moved to Maryland 25 years ago from Philadelphia. She fought drug addiction and was able to break away from a violent relationship.

She said her “former pain is going to bring gain to others” and has no plans on slowing down.

Clark said Women Who Care Ministries has three main programs:

• Helping Kids Eat Backpack Weekend Meal Program where during the school year each Friday volunteers from the nonprofit fight child hunger by providing over 2,000 food sacks filled with non-perishable to low-income children to take home to ensure they don’t go hungry over the weekend.
• The Montgomery Village Food Center program that provides an emergency 3 to 5 day supply of food to more than 200 clients monthly, primarily in Gaithersburg, Montgomery Village, and Germantown.
• Our Restore the Joy Domestic Violence Empowerment Coalition where victims of domestic violence receive the care needed to break the cycle of violence in their lives.

To find out more about Clark’s work and how to help, click here.

About Aline Barros

Aline Barros is a multimedia reporter and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at Abarros@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @AlineBarros2.

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