From Suicide to Serving Others
I walked out of the woods with suicide on my mind. “I am going to jump in front of a truck if someone doesn’t pick me up. I don’t want to live anymore.”
Lutheran Synod Chooses Us
Thank you Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, for choosing us as their service project at their annual assembly last month. These 200 churches donated: $926.66 in loose change more than $3,000 in gift cards $600 in checks a whole truckload of in-kind donations, from school supplies to non-perishable food to tents…
Homeless Mom Finds Hope in Thrift Store
Life as a single mom was hard enough. When circumstances forced Qwanishia Jackson to move into her car with her young son, she started searching for a new beginning. Unexpectedly, she discovered hope and change inside a thrift store.
We Can’t Do It Alone:
Community Partnerships Every Saturday, in 3 cities across Central Florida, we unite with businesses and local churches to serve our neighbors in need. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., we offer a hot meal, prayers, and resources to men and women in Winter Garden, Clermont and Kissimmee/Four Corners. Our purpose at the “Helping Hands Outreach” is not to create a dependence on help,…
The homeless man who changed the Smiths’ lives
On a cool Sunday morning in January 2007, my wife, Linda, and I met a homeless man in Clermont, Florida who would transform our life forever.
You helped Qwanishia and Her Son Move Out of Their Car
Qwanishia lived in the Winter Garden area for 12 years with her now 8-year-old son, Izaiah. When her job cut her hours, she couldn’t afford to stay in the place where they were living
Fighting Fear With Fact
This summer, my daughter started her first job as a social worker in an inner city. I was proud of her selflessness but worried for her safety— someone was stabbed doing that job months earlier—and I was concerned about money: Social-work careers initially may not pay well. Madison told me, “The money doesn’t matter. The…
The Battle of the Skinks v. Affordable Housing for Central Florida
I’m a competitive person, whether I’m cheering for my daughter’s softball team or playing a game of Scrabble®—so I’ve got good news. Sand skinks: 1; Affordable Housing for Central Florida: 2.
July 1: Helping Hands Outreach report
by Steve Smith Thanks to Real Life church volunteers and especially the guys at the Fireworks display in the Winn Dixie parking lot who helped us put up and tear down the tents, tables and chairs. Prayers were lifted up to bring peace and comfort to our 56 guests. We had a mom volunteer who…
This Month You Helped Jeff Get On His Feet
I had shied away from religion for the longest time. Finding a new connection with Jesus here, I now go through the day not worrying about myself as much as caring for others.