CAMBRIDGE — An invitation to come to lunch and brainstorm brought some 40 people to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church last Thursday. The Dorchester Faith Alliance Housing Committee seeks to establish a resource center to help provide information and help to individuals and families in need in one central place. The alliance of groups, including church leaders and social agencies plus activists, have a vision of a one stop-shop center described as “a space, perhaps a large room, in which tables are manned by participating resource suppliers and volunteers.” Similar attempts to open a help center have been frustrated by zoning concerns but this effort is different. The alliance looks to locate in a familiar public facility. The Rev. Jerome Tilghman of St. Luke’s said, “The center would be a means of empowering people to help themselves. We have to listen to the players instead of imposing solutions.” Several speakers mentioned that substandard housing is a major issue for many families in Dorchester County. Research data indicates that landlord/tenant disputes are a big concern. Participating in the meeting with suggestions of their own were Commissioner LaShon Foster and Police Chief Dan Dvorak. More information is available at dorchesterfaithalliance@gmail.com.