The Path Of Citrus County Inc

i was sleeping in the woods with no food or shelter the path was the only people that would help me in my time of need thank you to all

I was a client at The Path and they assisted me in a multitude of ways. It was a blessing as I was introduced to a new family of friends and Christians. The most beneficial aspect of The Path was the introduction of biblical teaching and the direct application of these as related to my recovery. With the strong leadership of mentors of different skills I was able to grow and heal from the inside out.

I'm now a productive citizen again and have healed many lost and broken relationships due to the redeeming salvation that Chris gave me. I was in a loving environment and was able to grow as a new man of God. I wish them continued success and recommend their services to anyone finding themselves without a place to call home

I was introduced to the Path through the VFW. I was in desperate need of not only a place to feel comfortable, but how to focus on having a relationship with God. The Path provided everything a man could ask for including excellent guidance towards a communication with God and feeling spiritually fit. also, having a survival skill with him.

Thank God for the Path,
Roger W. Christenbery

The Path has a been a very wonderful experience that for anyone for is reading this, if you want to experience the Lord, then come to the Path and you will experience a lifetime of fellowship with the Lord that will grow in you and change your life forever. As far as my experience, i always had God in me, but when I was accepted here, I came to know God better, I experienced Him more, I experienced speaking in tongues. The people here (staff) they are wonderful. they will put blessings in your life and help you out. If you do right like you are supposed to you will end up on the right path and not the old wicked path. Just ask the staff for help and they will help you and it will comfort you to where you think you want to leave, but they will help you to realize when you are really ready to leave. Thanks to God my heart is better, my knowledge is better,I got my CDL license, I got a great job opportunity, and please remember me in your prayers. All of ya'll have been real great. I am thankful for the times I had with you. You have been a mentor to me. I have enjoyed my time with each and everyone of ya'll. So with all love keep God with all of ya'll and if you are ever in doubt go to Him in prayer, and He will bless you always. I thank God for the time I've had here, especially the people, the staff and leaders for the time I have been here. So in closing, God bless ya'll! And I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

This is a letter that was recently brought to my attention. I am transcribing it as it as written: " Hi, my name is Erik there is something I would like to share with y'all. I was a very lost person, about seven weeks ago. I did not really know the Lord and how great He was. Until I found a wonderful places, and even better people who really helped me learn about the Lord and the wonderful things He is capable of doing, if you believe, praise, and ask Him. I was blessed by the fact that the Path had an open bed when I tried to get in there. If you do not know about the Path, it is a great place, and program to help people out no matter what it is they are going threw. We all have hard times, now and then some worse than others. And sometimes we need some extra help to work threw these times. And the people at the Path were right there to help. The staff and clients have made a major difference in my life, and how I look at the Lord and this world we all live in. Some people are luckey to have family and friend to help them through the tough times. But sometimes that is not enough to do the job. That is why I am so thankful that the Path's staff and clients were there, they understood what I was going through, and some had already done the things that I was doing, so it was a real big help to talk to people that knew about what was happening in my life. I now know the Lord as my Savoure and I know I will still have trials and tribunes but I now know the Lord will be there to help me through any thing that may come my way. As long as I still praise and believe in Him He will be there for me and I know the friends I made at the Path will be there to help me as I will them. I have the Lord and the Path to thank for this piece of mind that I have finally found, and I know that the Lord and the Path are always to help me no matter what happens. They say "threw the Lord anything can happen" and it has for me."

The path is a great recovery program.The staff are dedicated and motivated in helping clients restore there lives.The staff will make you take full owner ship of your life and hold you accountable for your actions.In all this is a great life recovery program.respectfully your Aaron P.

i think the path is a christ blessed place that for anyone that is seeking Christ and help from addictions and real love through Christ it is the place for it is a great program for those who seek truth in self and Christ God bless

This program has been a blessing to me. I was in a severe state of need when I came here. But through the Path, God was able to sustain and bless me with the kind people who work here at the Path. They were able to assist me with all my needs, with a loving and Christian atmosphere to boot. I thank God for this place and I pray that God continues to bless other through the Path. Sincerely, Leroy.

I just finished reading all the reviews for The Path and after reading some of the posts I felt inclined and moved by the Spirit to write what I know from my time at The Path. First of all the situation is not black and white, some people who work there truly wish to help people and are driven by the Lord himself but no organization is perfect. I am sorry to say that it is my opinion that the director is not genuine. He is simply full of himself and he may help people but he is definately doing it for the wrong reasons. Like his weekly bible studies he gives at his own personal church. It is nothing but a big show where he demands that the residents cow down to him and he takes this time to belittle and embarrass people he doesnt care for. As for the Kristy situation, I feel sorry for her and she means well but it is true that she was forced to marry that guy or be fired, I'm sorry Kristy but you know it is true and at the time I was there he was on drugs, not at first but after I was there a month or so and it truly broke Kristy's heart and I am sorry to hear that things got worse for her and her family. Her children are good kids and a reflection of their mothers love. Rebecca loved her, she was a good counselor a little pushy but in a good way. I do not regret my time at The Path, I felt cared about and I was able to really make a solid connection with Jesus and I could feel his love. I did not care for the double standard, in the womens house we where on lock down and on constant video survalliance. Where the guys had two houses one for newbees and one for 90 days or more and they had no cameras and I know for a fact that the men drank, snuck out. This one guy hide the fact that he had a bank account and recieved a direct deposit of 412.00 dollars a month for an annuity and his parents hid it from The Path and they are the ones that brought him there. He has a cell phone and went to the plaza down the street and played those video gambling machines and blew all his money. He was an idiot. Also the problem was they would throw you out if you talked to the opposite sex but they put us together daily. Work, church, bible study. It was impossible not to develop friendships with the members of the opposite sex and I allowed myself to be influenced by a jerk when I was working my problem perfectly. I know regret this, but anyway back to The Path itself, It is a safe, clean loving place to go if you truly want to help yourself. It is not over crowded like The Mission and they do tell you you can stay as long as you want as long as you follow the rules. I would definately recommend The Path over being homeless and using drugs and flushing your life down the drain. In case the staff has figured out who I am I would like you all to know that I long ago got rid of the idiot that caused my departure. I am no longer homless, I have reunited with my family, got my nursing license renewed and my drivers license. I had the thyroid surgery I needed. I am currently being treated by a wonderful doctor and my health has greatly improved. I took an LPN refresher course and will soon be returning to nursing. I have remained clean for over 2 years now. I still have a close bond with Jesus and I am truly happy. God Bless you all. I dont know why you all or duwayne tried to keep me from getting my nursing license, if it wasnt for that I would have been perfectly happy to stay there. It was not yalls decision to make and you should think about that the next time. After I left I wanted to come back what was I thinking hooking up with that looser, oh and I really did not sleep with him kristy. I dont care if you believe me or not because God and I know the truth. I was just lonely and hurting over my husbands death and he gave me money to get my drivers licensed renewed online at the library and he was helping me renew my nurisng license so I thought he was nice, but he wasnt he was crazy and he said he wanted to kill his parents. I am not gossiping I am saying this to warn other girls who might fall prey to they same kind of guy while trying to get help for themselves. Thank you for everything you did for me Rebecca. I love you and Bob too.

This comment is sadly directed at hillb6, once again. It is truly a sad thing that you keep coming on here and misrepresenting yourself. You appear to have some empathy towards me personally in your comments, and I appreciate that, but do you speak out of a caring for myself and the welfare of my children, or out of hatred for someone else? When you have hate in your heart it makes you act irrationally, and I believe this is what is happening here. I shouldn't have to defend my reasons for marrying my husband, but I will. And there was never at anytime any pressure on me from outside sources to marry him. I married him out of love and out of respect for the Lord. I wanted to honor Him with my actions, to have that marraige covenant. You speak of my relationship with him as if it were nothing but abuse, and that too is untrue. Yes, my husband had an extensive background, mostly due to a serious drug and alcohol addiction. Never were there any charges or behavior to indicate that he could possibly be capable of the crimes to which he is currently awaiting trial for. If so, I would never have allowed him in my home. He was never a client at the Path, and he went to seek help from the Sanctuary when he was trying to put the pieces of his life back together. No one ever "shipped" him there, and why should he not seek help and guidance? Did you not seek it somewhere? Have you not made mistakes in your life that someone tried to help you with or give you a second chance? There was never a reason to be concerned with him around children. This is the first charge he has ever had in his life against a child, and God and Judge Howard will certainly hold him accountable if he is found to be guilty. The Path is not tainted by this, and should not be, it in no way reflects the work that is done there. The fact that you would even try to tie the two together speaks volumes about the character that you represent. If you truly werre a client at the time I was married, you attended my wedding, and you saw the happiness in my eyes, you saw the adoration in his. We are not perfect people, but we thought we had found happiness. You have made this a personal attack, and I find this very disenheartening. I will continue to pray for you, whoever you are. And I would also like to say that my opinions expressed will never change, no matter if I am still the "Office Manager" or not. We are run by God, not personal feelings, and I will always stand by that.

my time at the path was truly a blessed stay apon my leaving this place not only am i confadent in my conviction and walk with christ but have the tools need for the sprital war fair that will be prasented in me. God almight is what im truly thankful for and the loving people both clines and personal that played a roll in my relationship with God. God puts people in our live if only temparaly to work the holy spirts majic. God is good and you find what you seek here at the path seek me and you will find me. amen. put your everything in God and you will know him for he is truly here in works throu the holy spirt. i love you path and i love you God.

It was a good place to come to get shelter & a great place to grow spiritual. They helped me to experience growth mortal & values. The staff was excited. They was no time frame for me to stay & they worked with me until the very end of my stay. I would strongly recommand this program to anyone that is in need of spiritual growth & also finds themselves without a home.

The staff was very supportive to me; as well as, the fellow clients. I enjoyed all of there company. Thank you for the fellowship.

I came to The Path on June 2010 and was a broken soul with no place to go. Kristy L gave me direction and I was assigned a bed and a place to store my belongings. During my time here I was introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ and in the process I became saved and a born again Christan. Danny Q was a positive role model for me at the farm and Sherry at the Bargain Store was as well. I worked to serve the Lord in a multitude of activities as I did everything as unto him. The volunteers and church family gave me direction and a sense of purpose as well. Mr. Dick Windle gave me the opportunity to work with him at his home. He and his wife showed me love and were appreciative of what I did for them. Mr. DuWayne & Kathryn Sipper have been a blessing as well. I was blessed with a vehicle and I now have employment at the Key Training Center. Prior to working I was the asst farm manager under Mr. Dick Windle. I was blessed with work in the wood shop with Paul B and Jim. This gave ne the opportunity to earn money. Bob Spaulding the men councilor has directed me and given me guidance and reproof. Paster Leaf was of great asstance to me and he directed me in a plan to read the Bible to open my eyes to the gospel and how to apply it to my life. The Path also introduced me to Ed & Sue Messer. These two individuals have pointed me in the direction of Jesus and have blessed me in countless ways. I am now a member of their home church Riverside Christan Fellowship. Mike & Judy Awe have been a blessing to me as well. Mike was the man who initially introduced me to the gospel when I arrived at The Path. The blessings I've recieved here are countless. I am so blessed and thankful for all the unconditional love I've been shown here. A special thanks to Shaun S, he was always there to listen to me. In closing I would like to extend a big Thank-you to The Path for helping me get my life on track. Thanks to Roger for all he has done as well. I still have and will continue to grow. The foundation of Christan gospel and living will give me the weapond I need to defeat the enemy when it attcks. Thank-you and God bless.

I went to the Path as a person needing a roof over my head for a while till I received a last pay check. While there I received Spiritual, financial, and personal guidance. I would recomend this program for anyone needing assistance in a kind of life situation. The staff are very caring and are all about God and the individuals needs and spiritual needs.

I was a client served at The Path. I also was throw out with minimal time to pack...one hour to pack and find a place because a man wrote me a letter. Who I didn't even respond to. They never "provided transportation" to there, or from there. They wouldn't even let me use the phone...to find another place to go. They say this place is for addicts, well what if you aren't one? Their "probation period" is 30 day. I couldn't even talk to my children for 45 days...What is that? I was also told by one of the counselors who work there that somewhere along the line DuWayne Sipper lost his compasion. He must have because every woman there is treated like a "harlot". Every bible study was centered around that...FORNICATION... He has been heard saying "The Homeless are like dogs, if you keep feeding them they will keep comig back" this was at a County Meeting he said this. There was one night this couple moved in down the street, every penny they had went into putting deposits into the house they were renting and they came up and requested food...well because we were to have a class that evening they were dismissed, no food given to them...how sad. The path swears they are Christian based but there is nothing Christian about them. They force you to church, Church isn't bad, everyone can use a little Jesus in their lives, however they cram it down your throat. Wasn't this country founded on Freedom of Religion?
I was only there for 45 days...thank God! I found another Shelter to go to and I have to say it was a blessing from God.
I was brought to this other Shelter and I have to tell you that at last count, from the time I was thrown out of the Path to this day, we took in over 30 residents who were either thrown out or just couldn't stand all their basic rights as humans being taken away from them. One elderly lady was put out in the middle of a horrible storm, who slept in one of the neighbors carports and then came to us...We got her on social security, she took in all the children at this shelter like they were her grandkids, and she just recently died....with dignity....we loved her like our grandmother, and miss her dearly. Christians? My eye...
They say that one resident shouldn't spoil the whole bunch? What if I were to have all the residents that resided there write a review? Then the public would really know what's going on. On outward appearences they seem legit and well serving, but behind the scenes...it's a completely different story but they don't let anyone see that. EVER...not even to the county.
I truly believe DuWayne Sipper started his shelter with well meaning intentions. But now his employees are fired when they voice their oppinons about how the residents are treated. They say they let the residents go out and look for work, but the whole time I was there not one person was allowed to look for a job...we had to work for them...not too much of a big deal but the residents who were there for months wanted the opportunity to go get a job.
In writing this not to "Bash the Path" but in hopes Mr. Sipper sees what the residents see and hopefully finds some of the compassion he has lost...something I never saw but was told was there in the beginning. It seems like he has taken homelessness and turned it into a corporate business. Which it shouldn't be, it's a social service. It's a necessity especially Citrus County...But the amount of people that he has actually helped...remains a mystery.
God bless you

I have worked with the path for 12 years here in Citrus County. DuWayne and his Staff run a great "Christ Centered" organization and always behave in a professional manner.

I just want to thank DuWayne for the excellent work he is doing in our community. Path is a mission of Hope for so many people in our community. No one can challenge this organization for its love and commitment to the homeless.

This is written to "hillb6" on his reveiw of the Path of Cirtus County.

It is obvious that you have a personnel grip with the Director. The purpose of a Shelter is to minister to those people that for whatever reason, have found themselves in hardtimes. The shelter provides resources such as food, clothing, shelter and counsel so that and individual can "bootstrap" himself back into a productive life/ A shelter is not intended as a place to come to so that you can continue to live the lifestyle that got you into the shelter. There comes a time in life when every individual is expected to take responsibility for their failure in life and stand on the two feet that God gave us. Apparenlty the shelter failed in teaching you this principle. Don't you think it is time for you to stop blaming others for your failures in life and take responsibility for you own actions??

May God be with you and help you in your trials an tribulations!!

I have been involved as a volunteer counselor and teacher with the Path for over 4 years. I have been involved in ministry over 40 years. The Path is a great organization providing services to the local community that are desperately needed. They have rules and policies that some folks chafe at, but the rules are fair and well stated and mercy is often given.
The point that is important to remember is that it is essential in recovery to learn to obey and follow rules. It is often a defense for people who are going to stay in their disfunction to claim the rules are to harsh and to blame their failure on someonelse.
I see this with some clients at the Path but I see many more who comply with the rules and learn the benefit of order and discipline in their lives.
The Path has an excellent program and a very caring heart. It is a good place to be and a blessing to the community, as well as to the hundreds of folks that it has served.

I thank God for the opportunity to use my Life to serve Him to the best of my ability. Finding this mission has been the purpose of my life.