Over the years, there have been so many wonderful people who have invested their time, energy and resources on behalf of the men of Helping Up Mission. Some come occasionally, while others come regularly every week. They are the people that the Apostle Paul referred to as those who “devoted themselves to the service of the saints” (1 Cor. 16:15). We are so grateful for their service and Helping Up Mission would not be what it is today without their love and support through the years.
A couple of the veteran volunteers here are Betty Gudeman in our Library Services Coordinator and Carole McQuay, our Art Therapy Coordinator. Both invest time every week here and have done so for years. We are very blessed to have them.
So, we have recently developed a new program which we call Encore Staff. This is for people who have had successful careers and retired, but do not want to just sit around and relax. They are people with some God-given skills that they are willing to offer to the men here in our Spiritual Recovery Program. The idea of “Encore” is that their service here, now, is an encore to the career from which they have retired. They are not paid, but serve as volunteer staff along side of our present Mission staff.
As we are developing this program, we have two new men who are serving in this capacity. Grant Watchorn was the first of these new Encore Staff members and he has actually helped Program Director Tom Bond and me develop the overall Encore Program. He is also providing some particular Encore support to our Educational Services.
The second Encore Staff member is Dick Annis-Forder, who is just starting as our Workforce Development Coordinator. He and Grant have helped us develop the position and Dick has begun supporting guys in the employment process.
There are so many needs here at Helping Up Mission. We would like to have additional staff time and expertise to run the operation more effectively. Our clients, themselves, would appreciate more direct attention and support. May God continue to increase our many volunteer workers and Encore Staff, who will be able to offer their love and skills in providing hope, answers and empowerment to every man in our Program.
One day at a time,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director