Friends for Life and Christ Episcopal Church have been involved in collaborating and housing and sustaining for a man I first got to know several years ago. At that time Marcus was living in a room in a house a few blocks away from the church...and would stop in with a smile, check on us, and leave with some Dinty Moore Stew (which I keep on hand for the homeless who come by on a regular basis.)
A few months after Marcus first started coming over, he was notified that he was going to have to move from his apartment (which he had been in for over 15 years). He could not comprehend that the landownder could require that he move since they were going to remodel the entire house for the potential of a sale. We were able to explain his personal situation to their agents, remind them that he needed adequate notice, and try to communicate with Marcus the situation. We also tried to find an alternate location for him to move.
Marcus was evicted. He was homeless on the street, and after a few weeks was incarcerated for Criminal Trespassing. Over a two year time frame, he has been incarcerated several times while we have tried to find housing that can be adequate with regard to his mental capabilities and the funding he has avaialbe.
That is where Friends of Life has been so important to Marcus. Katherine Beecher and Candice Mitchell have helped with his needs when he has funds available. In fact...because of their regular communication directly with him, they are part of his special support community and have been key in helping navigate the complexities of the situations Marcus has been in.
Currently Marcus is housed (due to some donations from our church), and is in a place where he can get food on a daily basis (Feed My Sheep). He also is receiving attention from Central County Services with regard to his mental capabilities, and is on a waiting list for subsidized housing. Our efforts together culminated in him getting his Texas ID! This is key to opening paths for Marcus that should offer more benefits...which he stil needs.
Because of Candice and Katherine, we have been able to get Marcus into temporary housing with hopes of some stability. His needs are great because of his mental capabilities, and because of his apparent lack of parenting throughout his life. The resouces here in Bell County are slowly being applied to his situation, and I have included the BELL County Judicial System in developments (becasue of his incarceration when housing has been unavailable).
Unfortunately, there are many like Marcus. Because of Candice and Katherine and Friends for Life, there is hope for Marcus and others in his situation. I am in deep gratitude for their understanding, their kindness and their care. They are key to helping others who are in very difficult situations and moving them towards more life and participation in their local communities.
Becky Sparks
Deacon
Christ Episcopal Church
Temple, Texas
I needed a representative payee. I cannot manage my money. They are always there for me. I truly would recommend them to anyone. Candice is excellent. She is always there for me. I truly appreciate her.
Friends For Life has helped me with my rent and bills and other things that I needed and also if it wasn’t for them, I will not have a place above my head so thank you Friends For Life.
My organization at Baylor University has had the privilege of partnering with Friends for Life over the past year and a half, during which we’ve volunteered several times each semester. Every time we serve with them, it’s truly a pleasure! Friends for Life does so much for the Waco community, and we feel incredibly blessed to be part of their mission.
I’d also like to give a special shout-out to Kay Johnson at Friends for Life for all the amazing work she does and for being such a fantastic contact for me and my organization!
I have a caseload of clients that have had an extremely difficult time managing their finances since their former payee organization stopped services. FFL has helped tremendously with getting bills paid, rent paid, and saving money to pay for other expenses. Without this service, many of these people would be homeless and unable to meet their basic needs. We are so grateful for FFL and the Representative Payee service!
I transfered to Friends for Life's representative payee services midst a very chaotic time. Even in all my panic they worked with me to get my disability figured out and set. Honestly they are absolutely wonderful and can tell they have a compassion in their service. I look forward to using them as my payee for many years to come. Almost nervous starting new services but they made the transition go better then I expected.
I wanted to take the time to write about Candice Mitchell. She has been the best representative payee I have had the pleasure of working with. I have worked with her for a few of my clients and she has been absolutely wonderful. Not only does she go hands down for the people she serves in the community, but she cares. To be in a field that is rewarding, but very challenging is not for everyone. However, Candice gives it her all and exceeds with providing her services to the people in our community. Thank you for all the hard work she does, as I know I give a lot on her plate, but she never complains and always has the best attitude. Candice, thank you for everything you do.
-Dejon Mcilwain (QMHP), Helen Farabee Centers
We are here on this planet to love and serve. Friends for Life helps seniors and disabled adults in need, making it a great place to start a life of service to others. I feel privileged to be a part of the weekly food and grocery delivery program that delivers free food to seniors on limited fixed incomes, many unable to leave their homes.
The Rep Payees at Friends for Life help us with our bills. They are really nice and kind. They do a really good job and help us have money for food. They do things for us that we can't do ourselves. Our payee is helping us find another apartment that has lower rent. I don't know what would happen if I didn't have a payee there. They have been my payee for a really long time, maybe almost 10 years.
I am involved in a local community outreach group that was looking for a charity to adopt. I researched Friends for Life and was amazed at their bandwidth and the quality of their services. After volunteering at the Adult Day Care and engaging with many of the residents and their caregivers I was sold. I recommended Friends for Life as our group's charity and we've never looked back. Since then I have talked to others who have volunteered at Friends for Life for years and heard glowing reports of the care and fiscal responsibility of the charity. Kudos Friends for Life!
Friends for Life is a great local nonprofit that helps seniors and adults with disabilities in the Waco area.
DO NOT let this "Organization "
Serve you / your loved ones as A Representative Payee!
Fraudulent Charges on my prepaid debit card that was issued to me by them. Confronted, Reimbursed and they are still doing it.
I BLEW THE WHISTLE AND IM BEING PUNISHED FOR DOING SO!
You will never see but 20 dollars here and there of your monthly checks.
Trying to get a lawyer. It has been a battle when you cant have your money to get one. Cant do anything. These theives have me stuck but Im going to
remain optimistic and I have faith that God will see me
thru this aweful nightmare these evil theives are doing to me!
THIS PLACE NEEDS TO BE SHUT DOWN!!!
One of the best non profits in the state of Texas. They care about all of their clients and work daily to improve quality of life for everyone under their care.
Friends for life is a highly respected nonprofit organization with a wide variety of programs ranging from an adult daycare center to money management with adults appointed by judges around the state of Texas. Locally a new and innovative reading program has been established in the adult daycare program where clients are learning to read! Many shut in clients receive birthday and Christmas bags plus over 400 thanksgiving meals were delivered to them this past number November. This is accomplished with the help of volunteers ranging in age from eight to over eighty! The story of Friends for Life is is never ending and it’s impact is growing greatly in Texas.
Friends for Life serves the elderly and adults with disabilities. For many, it is the singularly most important resource that they have for help and for community. Isolation is prevalent among the elderly and adults with disabilities. If they are fortunate enough to have someone that takes care of them, their caregivers often live in isolation without support, as well. Friends for Life is a genuine and sincere friend to all those they serve.
Friends For Life is an amazing nonprofit, and I am so happy I chose to volunteer here. Everyone is extremely passionate about service, and clients are very lucky to have them!
Friends for Life serves a critical need in our community serving the elderly and disabled and accomplishes that in an outstanding manner. I am a volunteer and provide food deliveries from local food pantries to the elderly and disabled who otherwise would not have access to this resource. I also complete assessments of new clients referred for services thru Friends For Life. It is a pleasure to volunteer for this organization. The staff is always cordial, helpful and appreciative of the help you provide.
I AM BLESSED WITH A GOOD LIFE.WONDERFUL FAMILY AND GOOD HEALTH.I KNOW THIS IS NOT TRUE FOR SOME PEOPLE.I CAN AT LEAST GIVE OF MY TIME TO THEM ANYWAY I CAN..ITS A BLESSING TO GIVE AND RECEIVE.MY RECEIVING IS THEIR LOVE AND APPRECIATION.LIFE IS NOT FAIR FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AND I ENJOY HELPING IN ANY WAY I CAN.
I work as a volunteer at FFL, and I love it. The staff is always super nice and welcoming. I mostly do food deliveries for those who can’t reach the grocery store, and even the ones I deliver to are exceptionally nice and friendly. Kay, the volunteer coordinator, works very hard at her job to keep things running smoothly and to provide the best care possible where she can. You can tell all of the workers care about those under their care. I’m very glad I found these amazing people!
They are an essential part of the community. They service the elderly and people with disabilities by providing pantry delivery, meals at thanksgiving and gifts for Christmas, transportation to medical appointments when they have enough volunteers and none of this cost the clients anything. In the summer they even try to get a lot of yard work done depending again on volunteers and availability. Even was able to fix some minor repairs in homes like changing lightbulb and putting in a microwave oven for client. They need more great volunteers to help with doing these things so they can help more people. Great organization in all and the people that work there are so nice and helpful.
I started back in September as a intern. I work in the computer room with the clients and help them learn to read words on program. I enjoy coming here and looking at the faces of the clients when they achieve stars. I have also learned to do administrative duties as well.
Friends for Life is a wonderful organization that has been established in our city for many years. Many years ago, I had the privilege of working with Friends For Life for 4 1/2 years. The integrity and compassion that is shared with all the clients is heartfelt. I look forward to serving on the Board of Directors to continue the great work!
Friends for life is a phenomenal organization that has such a big heart and cares for so many people! Inez has so much Compassion on the elderly and the mentally challenged. Many of these elderly would never ever get any attention from anyone if friends for life did not intervene. We love them so much
Reaching out and making a difference was my grandmother's motto. Living it daily was contagious and I learned to work from my heart. When I learned about Friends for Life, I was strongly drawn to the help they provide for the elderly and disabled. I still am!
“Lonely is not being alone; it’s that feeling that no one cares.”
The Corona Virus, Lockdown, Social Distancing…all have forced an isolation that has caused us to confront the thing we fear the most. Loneliness! Many feel it. I have felt it.
As I call the names on my “Friends for Life” list and several others in my church who are isolated at home, I wonder what comfort I can give. What words of encouragement can I offer? Empty phrases like, “It’s going to be OK”, “Things will get better”, or “We are in this together” fall flat. They know it; I know it, but there is a sense that those are the appropriate things to say.
I feel helpless and unequipped to comfort. Someone else wiser and more eloquent should do this. Without the correct words to say, I just listen. I ask questions and slowly I become interested in the things that interest them. Their voice begins to smile, but I am the one who is heartened. Subtly, they encourage future contact.
I will call again, not with sage words or profound wisdom, but to inquire about what is new with them, to hear their thoughts, to find out how they are coping. Together through light hearted banter and expressions of care, we connect. I talk, but mostly I just listen.
Hello, my name is Oscar McClenon Jr. I am a Masters of Social Work student at Tarleton State University and an intern that volunteers with the Friends for Life organization in Waco, TX. I have had the pleasure of assisting the agency through its efforts to serve the communities by delivering groceries, making reassaurance calls, helping with the Friends for Life News Letter, and completing client intake forms. Through my experiences with Friends for Life in Waco, TX., I have made life long connections with the population served and the organization itself. Friends for life goes above and beyond to service their population to help meet their emotional, physical, and financial needs.
Thank you ,
Oscar McClenon, Jr.
Friends for Life in Waco, Texas is a blessing for the whole state of a Texas. They are the leading guardianship for the elderly and disabled. My daughter is disabled and she has attended their wonderful Adult Daycare for 15 years. They provide money management program helping the elderly and disabled with their finances. I have been volunteering with their outreach program calling elderly ladies once a week to check on them and see if they have any needs. I love calling every week. It is a charity like no other and I love being a part of it.