(Callynth Photography)
Can we help neighbors get to the other side of a crisis without living in their car or under overpasses? Or on vacant acreage? Can we help people stay in the homes they already have? Is it possible to preempt homelessness?
These are some of the questions I had for PATH Executive Director Andrea Wilson. PATH stands for People Attempting to Help.
PATH’s individual, personal care of their clients via their case workers and serious volunteers is impressive.
In case you missed it, Andrea shared her story last week in a blog called, Civic-Minded Kids: PATH for the Next Generation with Andrea Wilson.
Oilpatch Benevolence Fund
Personal care, accountability, and compassion are just a few of the reasons we made PATH our primary OBF (Oilpatch Benevolence Fund) beneficiary so far.
Plus, we like their fearlessness when it comes to finding solutions to the community-wide challenge of homelessness.
Our big idea was simple, we wanted some sort of safety net for all those East Texans in the energy sector. A group of us banded together to create the Oil Patch Benevolence Fund. It’s easy to make a contribution to the OBF fund. Or make a donation directly to PATH.
Boots On the Ground, Practical Help
At PATH, compassion begins by making sure clients are treated respectfully.
“We know, Andrea says, “those twenty steps from our parking lot to the front door are the hardest ones that most people are gonna take.”
Staff and volunteers try to see life from the perspective of someone who is momentarily in crisis, but determined to get help.
“So that’s our number one goal, ‘How do we make it easy?’”
Serious Volunteers
Additionally, Andrea emphasizes the heart of those who volunteer at PATH.
They want to offer true help to families in crisis. Not patronizing or condescending or co-dependent.
“From the very beginning, Mrs. Windsor wanted people to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect,” Andrea says, “We continue that 36 years later. People may come into PATH and never sit down with a staff member because we have such seasoned volunteers who can walk them through whatever their need is. What brought them to PATH in the first place.”
At PATH, the key is relationship building, according to Andrea.
“Anytime you walk in the door you will sit down with a case worker (staff or seasoned volunteer) in private where those relationships can begin to be built. So if you don’t know where to go and you’re in a crisis, you have a safe place.”
Culture in Crisis
“’Everybody is in crisis; some people just don’t know it yet,’ a wise, anonymous friend once told me.” ~Cathy Krafve
If you’re concerned about our uplifting our hurting culture with positive messages, don’t miss our two upcoming events for book-lovers, Book Bananza and Writing Friends PopUp Seminar. More at the bottom of today’s blog.
Paycheck to Paycheck
When people live paycheck to paycheck, one “small” crisis may begin the slide to homelessness, according to Andrea.
“A great example is a car has broken down and they can’t afford $250 to get it repaired. Well, that’s $250 they’re not going to have to pay towards a utility bill or towards their rent.”
She reports that so many people in East Texas are “food insecure” that PATH could give away groceries all day long.
“But once they get in our door and they’re sitting down with a case worker, then we can look at the whole picture.”
Groceries Are Just the Beginning
They begin to walk alongside clients with help on may different fronts, Andrea reports. For example, case workers may help clients by:
- shopping around for better utility rates
- plugging into educational local opportunities
- searching for savings on medical prescriptions
- taking the time to listen carefully and truly help, just to name a few.
“So, you came in for groceries, because you can’t make it on what you’re earning. So what can we do to help you?”
Ideally, folks get some relief, soon learn to manage their finances, and start saving before crisis hits again. Because compassion keeps us all from being one unexpected event away from crisis.
Thankful? Stay Tuned for More
Next week, on Thanksgiving Day, we’ll share more details about how you can uplift our culture by sharing positive messages. Authors and readers team up to get positive messages out in our hurting culture.
Plus, the first week in December, we’ll finish our series on homelessness with PATH’s Transitional Housing Program. It’s pretty amazing stuff. I guarantee you will be inspired. Don’t miss it.
I’m thankful. How ‘bout you?
Yep, we’ve got a lot to be grateful for. For great neighbors. Like so many friends across America and beyond who care about others. And for groups attempting to help, like PATH.
And most of all, I’m grateful for friends like you who want to spread positive messages about how faith in Christ looks in action.
🙂
cathy
We LOVE to hear from YOU!
How has crisis snuck up on your family in the past? In what ways did God move on your behalf? What were some of the best ways your neighbors helped you?
For Book-Lovers:
Just in time for Christmas, local authors gather to bless East Texas.
Book Bananza because we’re bananas about books! Get books signed.
Sponsors for the Writing Friends PopUp Seminar include:
Sign up HERE to attend our in-person seminar,
❤️ Christmas can be FUN and done! ❤️
May we pray together?
Dear good Father, we all need help. Small things derail us and next thing You know, we’re in crisis. Strengthen families as You heal our culture, dear Lord. We turn to You, our only hope. Help us we pray. Please bring those who need help to PATH. Thank you for the volunteers who make this help available in our community, so no one needs to sleep on the streets. Also, please bless our local authors. Bring together readers and writers to spread Your positive message. Fill us with thanksgiving as we go about praising You for Your goodness. Bless us now because that is Your heart’s desire. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Mission Statement: PATH
PATH seeks to restore HOPE with a PERSONALIZED approach to EMPOWER our East Texas neighbors to THRIVE in our community. Find out more or make a donation at PATHhelps.org.
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Cathy Krafve, host of Fireside Talk Radio and author of The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversations and Marriage Conversation: From Coexisting to Cherished. We welcome your stories, ideas, and questions at CathyKrafve.com. Truth with a Texas Twang!
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