In the heart of Prince George’s County, City of Praise Family Ministries (COPFM) is proving that the church is more than just a place of worship; it’s a lifeline. As the government shutdown continues to impact the DMV region, leaving federal workers and contractors without pay or employment, the Landover-based church stepped in to fill the gap, offering not just jobs but tangible resources, education, and community care.
On Monday, October 6th, hundreds of furloughed and laid-off workers poured through the church doors for a massive job and resource fair that combined faith with forward-thinking opportunity. From job placements and financial workshops to entrepreneurship training and tech seminars, the event was designed to empower attendees to rebuild their futures confidently.
James Hagens, a former IT professional in Congress who lost his job in the March DOGE layoffs, said the job search had been draining until now. “A living hell,” he admitted. “No jobs, getting denied left and right. Certain ones I interview for, I think I’m going to get it, and the next thing you know, someone else gets it… and it’s been challenging,” Hagens told WUSA9.
For others, the event was about more than employment; it was about community. “You can feel anxiety, you can feel overwhelmed. It’s just very important for us to stay together, especially in difficult times like this,” added furloughed U.S. Army worker Chaylah Johnson.
Bishop Joel Peebles said the effort is part of the church’s mission to be a consistent source of help and hope.
“We’re in a tough season right now, but I believe when we go through tough seasons, tough seasons produce tough people, and tough people do incredible things,” Bishop Peebles told MVEMNT.
While encouraging hope, COPFM also provided real-world tools to attendees. The American Job Center mobile unit was on-site, helping with resumes and job placements. Workshops tackled topics like “All Things Federal Government” and “The Do’s and Don’ts of A.I.,” equipping job seekers with the latest insights into government employment and tech-driven industries. Additional sessions focused on building financial literacy, covering subjects like creating cash flow, entrepreneurship, managing mortgages, and establishing legal trusts.
The job fair also drew a diverse range of employers and organizations offering career and resource opportunities, including the Prince George’s County Police Department, Fire/EMS Department, and Public Schools, as well as Pepco, WSSC Water, DoubleTree Hotel, Michaels Restaurant, FitzGerald Financial Group, PG Employ, and American Classic Agency. Local businesses like KING Concepts, Phoebe Marketing Group, and She Phoebe Global Inc. were also present, alongside health and counseling services, including Trina Franklin Health Resource Company and Dr. Alishia Zimmerman Counseling Services.
Pastor Ylawnda Peebles emphasized that the church’s focus goes beyond employment; it’s about restoring peace and dignity.
“Today touched my heart in so many ways because although we provided opportunities for individuals to gain knowledge [and jobs]… what I love the most is [that] our church provided a safe place for people to be seen and for people to be loved because in a time like this, they also just need some security,” Pastor Peebles told MVEMNT.
That intentionality resonated with attendees like Hagens, who left with renewed optimism. “Just lets me know that people are here,” he said. “People are here to help.”
From job leads to life lessons, City of Praise Family Ministries has created a blueprint for what it means to show up for your community, proving once again that faith in action can change lives, one opportunity at a time.
Cover photo: Landover Church Hosts Job & Resource Fair for Furloughed Workers/Photo credit: City of Praise Family Ministries/Instagram