Sometimes what looks like help really isn’t help at all.

What if you were to go to a hospital with a broken arm and all the doctor did was put a band aid on it? That would seem pretty silly and most definitely an ineffective solution to your problem. You realize that your broken arm requires an examination, x-rays, a cast, and possibly an operation.

Putting a band aid on a broken arm doesn’t work. Neither does putting a band aid on homelessness.

You’re driving to work and you see a person on a street corner holding up a cardboard sign. You’re in the park and there’s someone crouched under a palm tree with their hand out. You’re at a grocery store and in the parking lot are a man and a woman who approach you and ask for some money to buy some food. What do you do?

You have a heart of compassion and want to help. But then you think…what good would a little money do to help them…will they spend it on food, or on alcohol and drugs?

Your heart and mind begin to tug at each other…searching for the right thing to do.

In almost every case, the many problems a homeless person faces go much beyond just being homeless and hungry. The cause of their being homeless may often be a result of mental illness, drug or alcohol abuse, physical impairments, emotional issues, lack of education or training, or incorrect beliefs and values. The problems are very serious.

Food, clothing, a warm bed and safe place to stay are certainly critical. However, even these things, provided by homeless shelters, aren’t enough to help that person out of their despair. They need more.

That’s why Gospel Rescue Mission provides long-term programs that offer genuine aid and tangible solutions. While residing at the Mission, men and women dig deeper into their lives to find the root causes of their problems.

Through counseling, addiction recovery and relapse prevention instruction, life skills training, academic education, computer literacy, career development, and Bible studies, a person is given the tools to overcome homelessness.

In addition to these services, the Mission also coordinates medical, dental, and legal assistance, along with case management support for those enrolled in the long-term restoration program.

The hope of a restored life becomes a reality, as each man or woman is given the opportunity to get back up on their feet… sober… employed… attending a church of their choice… living independently… and becoming a respected and contributing member of our community.

All of the services provided for FREE by Gospel Rescue Mission equate to much more than a band aid solution.

So, next time you see a homeless person on the street and your heart and mind begin the battle to decide what to do…the answer should come easier. Direct them to Gospel Rescue Mission…because they need MORE THAN A BAND AID SOLUTION.

Roy E. Tullgren III
Executive Director – Pastor

Click here to >>Find out more information about Gospel Rescue Mission's Recovery and Restoration Programs