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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q: How are you able to feed a
family of 4 for $763 per month ($2.05 per meal)?
A: Through donations of food and funds
from the community. The Mission receives no government funding.
Q: What happens to the
donations we make to the Mission (cash and goods/food donations)?
A:
 Cash donations go to
support the Mission's various programs and outreaches,
to administration costs and to
fundraising.
The Mission receives no
government funding. We rely on churches, organizations, businesses
and those in the community who share our burden for the homeless and
hurting to supply the necessary funds which allow us to keep the
doors open. (Refer to the financial accountability pie chart.)
Non-perishable food
donations are given to those in need the community through our Food
Pantry. Food from this Food Pantry is also requisitioned to feed
those staying at the shelters and for Geno's Cafeteria "soup
kitchen".
Q: Is there anything you
specifically need at the Mission?
A: The Mission is always in need of canned
food, paper products, coffee, powdered milk, cereal, toiletry items
such as deodorant, razors, shaving cream, toothpaste and
toothbrushes, laundry detergent, bath soap, shampoo, and pajamas.
Q: I am interested in
volunteering at the Mission. What is a good, family-friendly, safe
way that we can volunteer as a family with younger children?
A: Serving at Geno's Cafeteria is a good family-oriented project.
The younger children usually decorate bags to be filled with cookies
which they help to prepare with the aid of the adults and hand them
out to the guests staying at the Mission and to those coming in to
have a meal.
Q: Is the shelter open
year-round?
A: Yes, the shelter is open year-round.
Q: What 3 things can we do to
help the homeless?
A: Direct them to the Mission, pray for
them, treat them with dignity.
Q: Do you have a program to
help women and children?
A: Yes, we have the Agape House women's
shelter which can house up to 11 women and 20 children at a time.
There are 6 bedroom suites for single women and 5 bedroom suites for
mothers and children.
Q: How does the Mission help
larger issues such as drug/alcohol dependency, abuse, and
unemployment?
A: The Mission offers several
biblical-based programs which deal with these issues. Unemployment
is addressed by making our guests aware of job and educational
opportunities available to them in our area. Help with resume
writing and various other basic skills are also taught.
Q: How long does someone
receive help from the Mission?
A: There is a basic 7-day stay for men.
Then they may go into a 90-day program which allows more time to
look for a job. Once they find a job they start the 60-day working
man's program which gives them time to save for housing. A 12-month
biblical-based program is also available to them in which they stay
at the Mission for classes and counseling and spend part of their
day working around the Mission.
There is a basic 2-month stay for
women. There are short-term programs for those who have come from
domestic violence situations, those with drug and alcohol abuse
problems and a longer 12-18 month biblical-based program. They also
have a 60-day working women's program.
Q: What effects has the
Mission seen due to the state of the economy?
A: We have seen more people coming in
needing food, and our population at the shelter has remained high
compared to previous years.
Q: How long do guests stay at
the Mission? What is a typical day like?
A typical day for the men would be: Up at
6am, breakfast, chores, appointments with staff, counseling, looking
for work, scheduling appointments with various agencies for health
care, job interviews, etc. They can come back to the Mission for
lunch between 11am-12pm. Afternoon would be similar to morning. Then
they are back between 5-5:30pm for dinner. Chapel between 7:30-8:30
pm, showers, lights out by 10pm.
The women would have a similar day with
chapel in the morning, children off to school. After dinner in the
evening they would spend quality time with their children, homework,
bath time, lights out at 10pm.
Q: Is volunteering an ongoing
commitment or can I just help once or twice?
A: We are happy to have volunteers
whenever they can help. We appreciate them very much!
Q: Can I donate coupons to the
Mission? Or help in another creative way?
A: Yes, donating coupons to the Mission is
wonderful and anything creative can be tried.
Q: In order to receive help,
do you have to be a Christian?
A: You do not have to be a Christian to receive help. Attendance at
chapel services is required for those staying at the shelters but
participation is not.
Q: Is accepting Christ a
requirement to receiving help from the Mission?
A: Accepting Christ is not a requirement
to receive help at the Mission.
Q: What services do you offer
to help children?
A: Tutoring is available for children as
well as before and after school care.
Q: Can I make a donation
specifically to the area of my choice?
A: Yes, you may make a restricted donation
to the area of your choice.
Q: Besides a financial
donation, how can I help?
A: Pray for the Mission. Donate food. Volunteer in
specific areas.
Q: What is the most effective
way to help the Mission?
A: Tell others what we are doing and
invite them to tour the facilities.
Q: Is the Mission affiliated
with any church(es)?
A: The Mission is non-denominational and
has a support base of 20 area churches of different denominations.
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