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their clients. Once that happens they can partici- pate in the missions many supportive services such as adult basic education and computer liter- acy. Clients can also take part in a long list of programs and assistance to help them financially and professionally. But Jonathan says the biggest help the mission offers is to break its clients out of isolation and slowly integrate them into a larger network of people20-plus individuals from the mission and the community. He adds Mother Teresa said Loneliness is the greatest poverty in the world. I would rather be hungry than lonely. TIME G uests can be in a hurry to return to the world so City Mission of Findley Ohio urges them to slow down. Executive Director Phil Arnold says they help clients pre- pare in two ways mentally through counseling and course work on such things as budgeting and life skills and financially. He explains We have them save at least 50 percent of their earnings for their housing fund so that they have a firmer foundation and are less likely to return in need to the mission. Stuart Harper executive directorCEO of Buf- falo City Mission in New York believes removing a time limit is a critical issue in launching clients back into the world. Their clients have a myriad of issues some requiring immediate solutions and others needing long-term answers. So the facility runs two distinct programs. The first is an emer- gency shelter where clients can stay as long as needed. The second is called the Dream Team. Over the span of 60 days the shelter works with clients in the Dream Team to develop a long-term plan that includes employment education self- development and real-life Christian programming. Following this approach Stuart says enables the shelter to take time out of the equation. Yes we want people to move along in their goals. However if it takes someone two years and another person three years who cares as long as they are each moving along and meeting their benchmarks. ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT A number of leaders say that encourage- ment gives clients a boost back into the world. Leslie Carver case manager at City Gospel Mission in Cincinnati Ohio believes in the power of words to do this. She sees the potential in clients and tells them so. She explains For many they have never been told they had potential had any worth or made someone proud. I make sure to tell each resident over the course of our interactions even if he returns months laterthrough words speaking truth and through being consistentthat he is a valuable loved child of God who has the power within himself to make positive life changes necessary for him to move forward. Helping clients believe in themselves is also what Yavapai Territorial Gospel Rescue Mission in Prescott Arizona works to do. In fact Executive Director Dave Barreras says missions staff mem- bers believe in their clients probably more than the clients believe in themselves. Knowledge and tools are great assets but to have someone in your corner cheering you on is worth more. We are bringers of help hope and healing who are called to guide advise and encourage our clients to give it another try with us by their side. We can cry with them we can walk them through transition to a world they may not have been in before or in a very long time. This mentality is typical of all rescue missions. Whatever their approach they are the arms of Jesus accepting clients into their facilities and then lovingly guiding them back into the world. 46 WWW.AGRM.ORG MARCHAPRIL 2016 Knowledge and tools are great assets but to have someone in your corner cheering you on is worth more. Sherri associate editor of Bible Advocate magazine has been an editor and writer for more than 26 years and has contributed to many Chris- tian magazines and book compilations. She lives in Denver Colorado where she enjoys playing drums swimming and walking.