PM - Article: Help in the Name of Christ

Help in the Name of Christ
By Cathy Jo Wallick

Part two in a three part series on our slogan "Housing, Help and Healing in the Name of Christ."

Imagine you are a mother of four children, ages 2, 3, 4 and 6. Your husband has been incarcerated. Your children have been taken from you and placed in foster care. You have no place to call home. You lose hope, you become tired--even too tired to think. Depression sets in and you become overwhelmed with despair. You begin to wonder if you'll ever be able to trust again.

Shauna joined our Paxton Street Home (PSH) family [about a year before this article was written]. With constant tears in her eyes, and a sadness on her face, she shuffled through our hallways, her head facing downward.

We are here at Paxton Ministries to provide housing, help and healing in the name of Christ. In providing a home for Shauna, we were able to help lessen her load of immediate worries. She had a warm bed in a safe environment. She didn't need to think of where her next meal would come from, concern herself with cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, scheduling appointments or even finances, for the most part. It was a time that Shauna needed to learn to take care of herself. Paxton Ministries was here to help her in that process.

First we assisted Shauna in receiving the proper medical care needed, and taught her the importance of taking care of her health. We helped Shauna find the financial assistance needed, and in that process began teaching budgeting skills. We then helped connect her with therapy programs available for her special needs. Daily, as we built a relationship with Shauna, she began to see the care we had for her. Slowly she began to trust, and slowly she began to lift her eyes and look forward.

We advocated to the doctors on Shauna's behalf. We advocated to the county, and the foster programs. We advocated to lawyers and the court system. We arranged for her to visit her children, then took her to see them, even her one son who lives 100 miles away.

Where once lived despair and saddened eyes, now was being transformed into a sparkle. Shauna began to anticipate a new and better life, one of hope and a future.

Shauna then attended Dixon University and took a sixteen week class on "Life in the Community." In addition, she participated in a weekly parenting skills class. Shauna continued her counseling, and in the midst of all this, she would volunteer in the kitchen at Paxton Street Home.

After a year or so living at Paxton Street Home, Shauna moved to our more independent care home, Blue Gables. We were all very proud of Shauna taking this step. The following letter Shauna wrote to the staff members at Paxton Ministries shortly after she moved to Blue Gables:

I just realized something, that I have to do certain things on my own and for myself. The children need to think about our togetherness as a family. God is helping me to go in the right direction. I am glad that I believe in him. I asked for His guidance, He is teaching me right from wrong. If it weren't for PSH, I would not be where I am now. I am with loving and caring people here at Blue Gables and at Paxton Street Home. I have two families that really care for me. I love everybody! Shauna

Shauna's goal over the next six months is to obtain appropriate housing in order that she may have her children return with her. She anticipates a reunion with her five year old daughter later this year. Please be in prayer for Shauna as she continues to make decisions regarding her future.

Ed. Note: This article was written in the mid 1990's at the time Shauna, not her real name, was with us at Paxton Ministries. Shauna's growth has continued. She is living on her own once again and several of her children have returned to her care. Shauna has remained active and involved in a local church that she joined while at Paxton Ministries.

Three part series on our slogan "Housing, Help and Healing in the Name of Christ:
Article #1: Housing in the Name of Christ
Article #2: Help in the Name of Christ
Article #3: Healing in the Name of Christ

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