UCAN Adds Outreach Director, Minister To Staff
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A group of 10 homeless men sit in a tight circle at the United Christian Advocacy Network's City Mission,Wednesday morning, with some having tears cascading down their faces.
Their tears are not from any form of physical pain. Instead, they are tears of heartfelt sorrow and repentance, of broken men. The assembly of Jamestown's downtrodden is becoming a common occurrence and a familiar sight at the mission, located at 7 W. First St.
However, according to UCAN's leadership team, such meetings are part of a greater plan that has led the mission to add two more staff members who are dedicated to seeing the homeless who pass through the shelter's doors reach their true God-given potential by starting the healing process from inside out.
"We brought on two new staff members who've had an immediate and powerful impact on our guests," said Aaron Wadin, the executive director of UCAN. "Sarah Wilkins is our new director of community outreach and Pastor Calvis Emanuel is the director of ministry and spiritual life."
The men who were described sitting in the circle above are part of the city mission's morning prayer and devotional time. Something UCAN is utilizing as part of its total holistic approach to helping homeless men get on their feet and heal.
"We understand there's a need for counseling, case management services and other support mechanisms," said Wadin. "However, if we can help get these men's hearts right – with Jesus – then we believe, the desire to go to appointments, along with getting on their feet will also happen, as a natural by-product. Hence, the additions of Pastor Calvis and Sarah Wilkins to our staff. Both have tremendous testimonies and truly care about our guests. Plus, Pastor Calvis has been with the mission as staff and a volunteer for 12 months now."
UCAN City Mission is an emergency rescue mission that provides a safe place to live; life skills training; health care and hygiene; local church connection and discipleship; accountability and a road to recovery. It is a Gospel Rescue Mission organization that is led by a 12-member board of directors and is also part of the Citygate Network (formerly the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions).
While these changes may seem to converge on a different pathway than seen before at UCAN, it's simply a matter of getting back to the basics and the changing of one's heart will hopefully lead to the changing of one's mind.
"I needed a time-out, and God gave me one in the state penitentiary," Emanuel said. "Our hope and my hope are to give these men the timeout they need to re-set, to find hope and purpose before God gives them a timeout in a place they really don't want to be. It's safe here, they have a bed, two hot meals a day, shower facilities and staff who care about them."
Emanuel isn't alone in his desire to see these men get on their feet and live renewed, dedicated lives as productive members of society. As the circled men from this morning's devotional group conclude their entreaty- they begin to get up to start their individualized schedule for the day, which can include cleaning up their living quarters, attending group therapy sessions, financial counseling, job searches and mental health appointments.
"There's a huge need here with the growing homeless population," said UCAN's Director of Community Outreach, Sarah Wilkins. "I'm going to hopefully bridge the gaps between churches, individuals, agencies and our guests, to provide the services they need to get back on their feet. Most of our guests are at the point of crisis and the lowest points of their lives. They need help, everyone at some point in their lives needs a little help."