By Donna Clark RN, Director
I love this time of year with all of the Christmas decorations and Christmas musicals that put most of us in the mood for loving, forgiveness, and peace. Today as I was traveling to the office I encountered a former client at her job. She came to us several years ago in need of a birth certificate, ID, and guidance through the health care system. She had 3 children and was just lost in the bureaucracy of community services. I barely remember her and over the last few months have visited her place of employment almost every week; never remembering that she was a client. Today she was so happy and shared with me all the blessings she has. Crediting our agency with the first help needed, she now has a full time job, a good husband, a home and her Christmas is falling into place. They were able to spend money this past weekend and get all 5 of their children gifts for Christmas. The children are also enrolled in an after school program and that agency is providing Christmas gifts. Then she added that a church in the community has notified them that they will receive what is needed for a Christmas dinner.
Walking away from that encounter I felt that God was smiling down on us. I began to remember folks we have helped in the past and those who reconnected to let us know how much we have helped them. The homeless man with cancer who, although he is still fighting the disease, came back to thank us for helping him get health insurance and health care in the beginning of his trials. There was the lady who lived in camps for years but became too old to continue to survive in the woods. We helped her get an ID (one of our biggest challenges ever) and she was able to begin to collect benefits and obtain mental health care which ultimately led to housing and wellness. Then there is the man living in the woods with his dog who comes to see us every day we are open just to feel a part of a “family”. As I take the time to think about those we have served there are many success stories but, to the average observer they were small successes. I believe that as long as we continue to do as God guides us and use the tools He gives us we are more successful than we could ever dream of.
This is the best time to enjoy Luke 2:1-20. We at Help and Outreach Point of Entry, Inc. wish each of you a Joyous and Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.
H.O.P.E. 