Last year I was having a really hard time financially. I went to Shelter Ministries to seek help and they far exceeded my expectations. Not only did they give my two children a very Merry Christmas but they also pulled together and helped me pay some of my mortgage for my home. They are always giving back to the community and truly care for the residents of Dekalb County.
Shelter Ministries has made a huge impact in the surrounding community. Food and clothing banks and the Christmas Bureau have helped hundreds of families put food on their table, provide proper clothing for those in need, and help families give their children Christmas. I love that they have classes for people in need to take to better themselves and their families as well as getting them to actively help in their community and keep paying the good deeds forward. Such a wonderful group of people! :-)
I think that Shelter Ministery does an excellent job on helping people and they help my husband n I out.We also volunteer their which is fun you get to work with wonderful people.Thanx for helping us and others.
I have donated to Shelter Ministries due to the overwelling great remarks that I have heard about the organization by others who have needed their services. This is an organization that puts those in need above all, without judgment.
Sheltered Ministries has helped me in my spiritual journey and to believe in the good in people. It is a place to go for help without anyone judging them. Since I have been volunteering there I have had so many people tell me how much they appreciate this Ministry. I am so fortunate to be a part of this great ministry.
I don't know what we would have done without Shelter Ministries. When my husband's hours were cut they helped us out with food and our utility bill. They gave us the newspaper so we could look for different work. Plus they told him about places that were hiring. Now he is back to full time work and even has insurance. I know it was their prayers that did it. Like they says God is good.
I have been at Shelterministries and this is what I've experienced , their is alot of love at the ministry and teachings on how to better your surroundings , families and your own life in general and when I'm at Shelterministries I feel a Spiritual blessing when I leave. I've noticed the people that work in management try to uplift and pray with you one on one if you are willing to accept a prayer. We could use a few more place's like Shelterministries we all need help and uplifting in our lives one time or another.
It blesses me to see what can be done when one small group of people put hands and feet to the call of the Lord to help his brother and sister in need -- the poor, the widow, and the orphan. One person alone can do a few things, but a group of people together can do mighty things. Shelter Ministries is a small group that together does mighty things to help those within their sphere of influence and teaching us all that it is not enough to take on a posture of worship and humility when all the while those around us are in a position of hunger and suffering. We must put hands and feet to the call of the Lord in Isaiah 58 and do what we can to reach those in need that the Lord calls our own flesh, our neighbor. (Is 58:6) "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? (7) Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?"
The naked, the homeless, the hungry, the working poor, people of a different class, the refugee, the single parent child, the one trying to survive on minimum wage, the illegal immigrants, these are what the Lord calls part of our own family. We cannot hide from our own flesh. We must do something to help them if it is within our power to do so. This is the mission of Shelter Ministries: they are that light of help in the harbor of despair, need, and loss to their own flesh.
They teach us that there in the midst of such devotion, where piety has legs, where worship gives birth to a ceaseless care of the other, where worshipers serve as midwives of the very kingdom of God, in the midst of such devotion, right there in our worship, the promise is that God will go ahead of us and God will go behind. When we call upon the Lord, the Lord will answer. When we cry for help, the Lord will say, “Here I am.” So when we remove the yoke of selfishness that hangs around us, shatter that idol that convinces us that worship is about what we get out of it, or how we "feel", or what we like and don’t like, when we stop pointing the finger at what we think is wrong with the community or with the world or with “them”, so easily speaking of evil in others different than ourselves, and instead, offer food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, attend to the hurting and speak for those long silenced and reach out to the dying and lift up the trampled and advocate for those who have little chance, and when we need help with that, when we do that, when our life together is about that, then when we call out, then, the Lord will say, "Here I am! Here I am!" That is why the Shelter Ministries is both a blessing and is blessed. They have answered the call of the Lord and are Jesus's hands and feet to their community. I know that when a person walks into their lighthouse, they will find a safe haven where their needs will be met in a physical and spiritual manner with the Love of the Lord.
Shelter Ministries.don't only meet the needs physically, but they continue to be willing to be their for any spiritual support. Many prayers have passed through the walls of the ministry, everyone is always ready to pray for and with whomever is open and wanting the power of united prayer. God continues to show HIS support with many blessings of food and clothing, AND people who care!
I am constantly amazed at how much Shelter Ministries blesses our community with just a handful of volunteers. I have found it very rewarding to be a part of the team, and feel fortunate to be able to contribute to it's mission. Shelter Ministries is centered on God and prayer, and it is apparent in how we are able to help those who come here for assistance. We strive to bring faith into our giving and send our clients off with that sense. Thank you Shelter Ministries for the opportunity to serve.
This small but mighty army of volunteers serves a huge area of the needy is so many ways...the FOOD BANK...the clothing bank...the Christmas Bureau...and the financial aid...ALL IN ONE TINY but, effective place of service to many is one of the most productive non-profit dynamics I have ever had the pleasure of working with. It is a joy to come alongside of successful organization that has been successful for many years as they continue to serve the community in such a way!
I have communicated with a few people that have either used or volunteer here. I've toured the facility and seen first hand of some of the work they do. They are a grey asset to the community.
Thank You for doing all that you do!
Sincerely
Bill Hartman
As the Director of Shelter Ministries I can say but a couple things - "God is Good" and you simply "Can't Out-Give God!"
With the generous support of the community and the hard work of many wonderful volunteers, the Ministries of the Shelter are making a tremendous difference in the community.
We don't just have a Food Pantry - we have a Nutritionist to help families eat healthy on a budget.
We don't just have a Clothing Bank - we assign personal shopping times with volunteers to help you find what you need.
And when there's a Financial Emergency, we don't just help with the bill - we invest in the future by paying for clients to attend budget classes so they can be prepared the next time.
We're about helping people help themselves for a strong Christian Community.
Blessings -
Renee Florin, Director 2012 - Present
Shelter Ministries is a multi-faceted organization encompassing 5 different ministries under the umbrella of the organization. The first and foremost of our ministries is the Gerig House Long-term Recovery Program. This program deals with addictive behaviors, mental illness and the associated homelessness that goes with this demographic. Our program lasts from 12-18 months of intense in-house counseling and life skills. Our ministry is not a short-term crisis facility for the homeless. Our second ministry is a Community Assistance Program where our ministry assists local county residents with meeting their immediate financial needs. Through a number of grants and donations, we are able to assist with our clients financial needs up to a maximum amount of $250.00. These include rent, utilities, prescriptiion medications, emergency housing and other determined needs. Out third ministry is our food pantry for our county residents. Residents can come to the pantry every other week to have their food needs supplemented. last year we served over 8500 residents of Dekalb County. Our fourth ministry is the shelter Ministries Christmas Bureau where we adopt families in our county who are suffering financial difficulties and would otherwise not be able to provide Christmas gifts for their children or supply a Christmas Day meal. in 2009 we adopted 157 families in our community due to the gerous donatiions of local business and families. Our fifth ministry is our furniture ministry, which priovides donated furnitutre at no cost to the client if they can show need. For many, who are going through devorce or relocating, this ministry is able to supply them with basic furniture to begin setting up housekeeping. We are also the collecting and distributiion arm of the Salvatiion Army in our county. through the volunteer efforts of the Christmas bell ringing campaign, 90% of all money collected remains in our county for assistance to our county residents.
Review from Guidestar