Free school supplies for children in low-income households is ubiquitous in school districts. Self-Reliance Clubs deliver school supplies as well as the hope, dignity, and affirmation that children need. TCI’s Savannah Aleckson explains more in her article.

“When we ran a toy giveaway program at Christmas, fathers were never the ones coming to pick up gifts for their families,” Heather Fullerton remembers. Dads felt ashamed that strangers were providing presents for their kids. “But now that we’ve started Community Christmas, dad comes to shop.” True Charity’s Avery West explains here.

For Maggie Lyons of Charity Reimagined, Christmas represents an opportunity not just to give gifts, but to remind people of their giftings. In fact, she’s helped shape a program centered around the idea that everyone has capacity to contribute and honoring capacity is a beautiful thing.

“What can we do so you don’t need us anymore?” Missy Hanks asks this to anyone who applies to the Expecting Little Miracles scholarship program. By encouraging those individuals to turn around and serve, one little miracle for an individual could impact generations.

Challenging, relational programs are an effective path to life transformation. The only downside to such models is that they usually require a high ratio of staff and volunteers to clients. Ascent Recovery proves that there is another way.

In 2006, Jay and Julie St. Clair helped transform a ramshackle apartment complex known on the street as “The Last Resort” into an urban transitional housing program they christened “God’s Resort.” From the original few units, God’s Resort has expanded to now offer nearly 40 housing units…

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