It's ancient wisdom and common sense: Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

_{Braelinn community services gives long-lasting boost to Those in Need}

At Braelinn Community Services (BCS), a nonprofit ministry of Braelinn Baptist Church, they understand that while life can be difficult sometimes, a "quick fix" isn't always the answer.

"Our programs do more than offer people a way to cope with difficult situations," says Cathy Berggren, Executive Director of BCS. "We also help them develop a strong foundation and a strategy to work through their problems."

Through a variety of programs, BCS strives to build relationships and ensure their future stability of those they serve.

Financial Crisis Assistance helps to meet the critical financial needs of clients by providing financial assistance for basic utilities, mortgage payments and rent for families in crisis.

The Food Pantry and Daily Bread feed those in need. Other programs that provide necessities are Clothing Closet, Household Goods, Auto Exchange & Repair, Furniture & Appliance Barn and Computer Depot.

BCS does more than care for the physical needs of its clients. The Computer Depot program offers training in basic computer use and counseling is available for career transition and handling finances. For spiritual support, the Prayer Partner Ministry has volunteers who pray for BCS clients, as well as the staff and
volunteers.

BCS also offers financial direction and advice to displaced executives. As Financial Counseling Director, Jim Watkins CSA, CltcA works with clients to review their finances and decide how best to preserve their assets -- houses, savings, other personal assets and retirement plans from previous employers - while still subsidizing their family budgets. Jim normally sees clients who have been able to create a portfolio and do not want to lose it because they lost their employment. "My goal is to help them rebalance their portfolio to minimize the total deterioration of their financial assets," Jim says.

Dr. Barry Hull serves on the Board of Directors and echoes the thoughts of everyone involved in the ministry. "It's so rewarding for us to see how individuals can work as a team to change people's lives," he says.

BCS has served close to 1,000 families in the community since its incorporation in 1998. Currently, the group is working to establish a free medical/counseling clinic for those unable to afford care. Cathy invites individuals, churches and businesses to help BCS help others by donating items, money or volunteering to assist with any of their programs.

The BCS Service Center is located at 382 Senoia Road in Tyrone. For more information, call 770-487-6691, ext. 222 or e-mail bcs@braelinn.org.

"It's so rewarding for us to see how individuals can work as a team to change people's lives"

Good Samaritans help homeless men in Coweta County

Where can you turn when you have no place to go?

In Coweta County, there's an answer - The Good Samaritan Transition House. Men without a home or job find more than just housing there. The ministry also provides them with food, utilities and, most importantly, help.

Mary Frances Honea, vice president of the Good Samaritan Board, says the need to help homeless, jobless men brought the community together in 1999 and the house began operating with four fully furnished apartments provided by the Newnan Housing Authority. The house has remained at full capacity since then.

"We originally planned to have each man stay for about three months, but sometimes it's more like five or six months until they get back on their feet," Honea says. "Of course, some stay for just two days. We're very serious in our mission to help the men attain a better life, so residents must stay drug and alcohol free, and visits from the opposite sex are not allowed."

The Transition House expenses run about $3,000 a month. Funding has been provided by the Atlanta Presbytery and a grant application is now pending with Episcopal Charities. The Newnan Hospital Auxiliary recently donated $5,000.

Community churches coordinate their efforts to raise money and tend to the needs of house residents. Jim O'Connell, a member of Jones Chapel United Methodist Church, and Ron Pounders manage the daily running of the facility. They're available for guidance and tend to any emergencies. Others who are closely involved include Harry Barrow, pastor of the Presbyterian Church and Joel Richardson of the Central Baptist Church.

Besides meeting the men's immediate needs, the ministry helps them find work, teaches them to budget and shop and involves them in weekly Bible studies. Dentists and physicians donate their services to care for the men's health.

"We take our parable seriously," says Honea. "We'd like to extend our helping hand to others, with overnight and family housing, but we'll need more community support and more funding before we can reach that far."

The Good Samaritans are seeking tax-deductible contributions from individuals, as well as churches. Write to them at Good Samaritan, PO Box 1805, Newnan, GA 30264.