Page 120 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2018

GIVING BACK a safe place
The beginning of Community Care Network (CCN) and Sue’s Home began when Diane Easley and a group of concerned citizens recognized an unmet need in the area. They came together to fill that need of a safe place for women and children who’re experiencing homelessness.
“Transitional housing was greatly needed on the Gulf Coast,” says Community Resource Director Shellie Carter. “Community Care Network is
a faith-based nonprofit organization that seeks to empower our clients and minister to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, enabling them to move from homelessness to a stable and independent life.
“Our vision continues to be to equip our clients through life skills training, safe supportive housing, and ongoing support, and to minister healing
and restoration through Christian counseling and teaching.”
The staff also offers individualized counseling and case management, parenting classes, access to community activities, workforce training classes, life skills guidance, individualized instruction and tutoring to assist clients in obtaining their GED or High School Diploma.
“All of this is done in an atmosphere of love and respect to empower
them to move from abuse, addiction,
homelessness, and/or incarceration to better enrich our community by overcoming their adversities,” Carter said.
CCN’s newest program, BREAKTHROUGH Homeless Youth Program, is for young adults aging out of Child Protective Services and/or foster care. This group is now the fastest growing homeless population on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and at risk for addiction, human trafficking, and PTSD from the trauma of foster care, abuse and homelessness. Community Care Network now provides support services including safe housing, furniture for apartments, supplies, counseling and life skills classes for these vulnerable youth so they can live independently.
COURTNEY JENKINS is grateful to the BREAKTHROUGH Youth Program through Community Care Network
BACOT/MCCARTY FOUNDATION
A Portion Of This Sponsorship Goes To Support Our Local Charities Along The Coast
WWW.BACOTMCCARTY.ORG
120 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • December 2018 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net