My first encounter with Charis Group was the day after I had been dropped off at a homeless shelter by a program that had promised to help me get back on my feet. The issues in the program arose because I did not have identification, birth certificate or social security card. They told me that I had to secure employment before they would help me obtain these things, but I could not find a job without them.

I am very grateful that I did have two friends in the world, and one of them picked me up from that homeless shelter the very day that I arrived there and delivered me to the second friend. On the way they bought me a prepaid cellphone so that I would have a means to be in contact with people.

As the second friend was taking me to Branson to rent me a motel room for the week, I reached out to a minister I knew for advice and help. She gave me the phone number for a lady at Charis Group that can only be described as a true wonder and joy!!

She scheduled an appointment with me, and came to me because I did not have transportation. Just her meeting me where I was at was a huge help! Branson is not the easiest place to travel on foot!!
Before the call disconnected, she had mad a short list of my needs, and gave me information of where to contact for some of that help.

Upon meeting, her first mission was to take me to get food. On the car ride she shared some of her own testimony and tons of information on how to get from where I was at to where I wanted to be.

Just in the first week of knowing her she helped me gather everything I had needed to obtain my Missouri ID, she had taken me to the food pantry, to a job interview, and to another organization that helped me with my rent so I would not be kicked out of my extended say motel at the end of the first week.

She also gave me rides to volunteer and give back when I was between job interviews. I had to wait for the actual ID to come in the mail before she was able to drive me to get my social security card, and other such delays. Even while we were waiting on these things, Charis group stood by me, loved me, and helped show me what I was able to do even while facing a mountain of obstacles.

In a very short period of time Charis Group had helped me restore all of my important documents, even helping me with transportation to my DOT physical to reinstate my Class A Commercial drivers license. I don’t have any idea how long it would have taken me to straighten all of this out without the help of Charis Group….Months at best. The rides helped streamline the whole process, but it was the encouragement, guidance and straight love that made the most difference!!

Thanks to the encouragement and example of how to do my part, but trust everything to the Lord, and of course all the help getting around, it was not long before I was working at a job I loved dearly, and exactly 2 months to the day after being dropped off at the homeless shelter I had a housewarming party to celebrate moving into an actual apartment!!

I owe this in large part to Charis Group being able to respond quickly and having tons of knowledge and experience. The longer someone is down and out, the harder it is to get back up.

The moment Charis Group knew what my needs were, they had the ball rolling to show me what I needed to on my part before speaking to them again. Trusting in their guidance had me on the fast track to back on my feet!!

– Rebecca Peat