Page 39 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2018

ABOVE TOP: MICAH DAY CENTER DIRECTOR DEBORAH HORN shows the assortment of clothing available.
ABOVE: BRENDA CRAFT
(LEFT) AND KIMBERLY GAGE (RIGHT) are volunteers who do laundry for visitors.
our volunteers return with their family and friends.”
Bridges Out of Poverty is one of the Mission’s key educational programs, which helps the people they serve on their journey out of poverty. “This program includes a 16-week class and two years of community mentoring,” said Payne. “Many times people don’t even realize they’re living below the poverty line, so we give them the tools they need to be able to identify their current situation as well as financial classes that will help them transform their economic circumstances.”
Back Bay Mission also offers Community Health Initiatives, which help people to be good stewards of their health. This initiative supports access to medical resources as well
as offers healthy living classes and support groups.
CLIENT SUPPORT SERVICES
The Mission’s Emergency Assistance program and Food Pantry provide essential support, such as utility
relief, food, medication and rental assistance. “Our Emergency Assistance services responds to people in all three counties.” Payne said. “Our phones ring off the hook for this service as there is such a high demand for utility assistance.” in 2017, Back Bay Mission’s Emergency Assistance supported 4,910 individual services.
The on-site food pantry is different from many food pantries in that items are chosen by the clients. “Guests can shop the pantry themselves, which ultimately reduces food waste,” commented Payne. “We don’t know
2017 Annual Report
what they might already have in their pantry or if their family has any dietary restrictions, so allowing them to choose their own items lets them make the best decisions for their specific needs.”
VETERANS
Back Back Mission offers a Veterans Support Fund, which assists veterans and their families who are in need. Another initiative, HomePort, provides permanent supportive housing for veterans and is the first of its kind in South Mississippi. Read more about Back Bay Mission’s Veterans Support Fund in the dedicated special
section found on page 41.
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
July 2018 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 39