An eight-week mandatory life skills course for clients of Wesley Community's Center Christian Relief Agency will begin next week.

According to Ginger Grissom Stevens, executive director of Wesley, the course, which begins Sept. 11, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., is designed for those who regularly receive assistance from the Christian Relief Agency.

"Those clients who have been here three times or more will be required to attend the eight-week course," Stevens said. "The course is free and materials will be provided."

Dr. Martin Oliver will conduct the course, which, he said, is designed to provide people with the tools for independency.

"A number of years ago I did some work with St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Shelter in San Diego (Calif.) and they had a quite extensive motivational program designed to get people out and back into the workforce," he said. "The problem they discovered was that with motivational courses there was a pretty rapid burnout rate; people would get out, would have problems, end up losing their jobs and then, of course, become even more discouraged than ever before because they'd finally achieved a little something only to have the rug pulled from under them."

Oliver did research with the San Diego shelter for two years and studied a large homeless population from multi-ethnic and multi-financial backgrounds. He discovered that the key ingredient for that clientele was a very poor self image.

"The way they saw themselves drastically influenced what they did and how they responded to people, particularly on the work force," he said.

Oliver also noted that the clientele did not understand how potential works.

"They often wonder, 'How do I discover what I'm good at? How do I discover what I'm gifted at? How do I find an employment or kind of work that is fun and something that I actually want to do for my whole life?'" he said.

This is the bases of the life skills course offered at Wesley. Three topics will be covered: "Self Image: A Key to Success or Failure;" "How to Discover Your Hidden Potential," which is aimed at developing a purpose-driven life and understanding ones gifts and talents; and "Finances," a multi-tiered program that will cover the beginning to the more complex aspects of finances.

"The mantra here at Wesley is 'Not just a handout, but a hand up,' helping people to achieve dignity, purpose and meaning in their life, and help to see how to reach these goals and not be buried in an avalanche of despair and hopelessness," Oliver said.

At the end of the eight-week course, Stevens said she will meet with each client to help them establish a life plan.

"We're going to do some pretty heavy duty case work with them," she said. "We'll ask them things like, 'What do you have in mind for yourself? What are some avenues that you might want to follow? What are some choices that you are going to have in the future? What are some opportunities that you foresee after having taken this course?' We'll determine how best we can help them – if they need it at all."

An orientation will be held Sept. 8, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., and will provide an overview of the eight-week course. The orientation also will be offered to first-time clients of the Christian Relief Agency. Both the orientation and course are also free to the public.

Stevens said clients under the shelter's Fishes and Loaves program will not be required to attend the eight-week course.

"They are invited to attend, but it is not mandatory," she said.

For more information, call Wesley Community Center at (601) 485-4736.

Christian Relief Agency



Wesley Community Center's Christian Relief Agency is an emergency assistance program that provides more than 21,000 food baskets and vouchers, Christmas food and toys to more than 5,200 people. Additionally, more than 6,000 receive help with rent, household goods, infant needs, furniture and utilities.