On the third Thursday of every month, Brandon Waters and his team at Central County Services – Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), partner with Feed My Sheep (FMS) to provide mental health care to those in crisis.
              Mr. Waters identifies that there are limitations and barriers separating those with mental health issues from the help they need. Those who need assistance the most lack transportation, means, proper support, housing, basic necessities – pushing the desire for mental health services to the bottom of their concerns list. Because FMS works with homeless individuals, a portion of who suffer from mental illness, having MCOT onsite provides a unique opportunity. Once individuals in need have been fed, took a shower, laundered clothes, and have been helped with various social services, the door is now open for them to address the deeper issues that may be the source of their current state. An accessible one-stop-shop is the key.
              Before going to school to become a therapist, Mr. Waters was an EMT. During this time he discovered his passion for helping those in crisis, especially those with addictions. He is grateful for the opportunity to intervene and alleviate a person’s turmoil. Mr. Waters feels that we need to treat the whole person, not just the mental illness. For example, if we help someone overcome a drug addiction, but then he is released back onto the street, surrounded by the same people, as before, and with no income, he will end up back at the starting line. Additionally, he believes we should be focused on setting these individuals up with jobs, housing and teaching them life skills. FMS approaches the individuals they serve with the same holistic approach.
Ultimately, MCOT is designed to “provide resources to those without resources.” This mobile unit comes to the person in crisis and stays with them until they are stabilized. They chose to treat mental illness on the spot by going to an individuals home and even bringing them to needed appointments. Making sure people are stabilized with their basic needs met prevents unnecessary visits to the emergency room.
              The road to providing the best mental healthcare is winding. There are still additional needs – funding, some type of shelters (for men especially), and healthcare providers that are willing to give their time to such an important cause.
              However, with a partnership like the one between MCOT and FMS we are taking the turns more smoothly. Mental illness is often overlooked or swept under the rug because there are so many hurdles. Together we can knock down the barriers and give hope to a hurting population.   
 
*Those looking for immediate help can call the MCOT 24-hour crisis hotline toll free: 1-800-888-4036.
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               If you have been to the Feed My Sheep offices, you may have heard mention of a “Triage Day”.  When I first started volunteering, I must admit, I was completely confused as to what this might refer to.  What exactly is a triage day?  What is it supposed to do?  Who’s involved?  Hopefully, this article will explain this often-misunderstood event. 
                 Connecting individuals to services is a critical component of the Feed My Sheep mission. However, transportation challenges, lack of childcare, and financial barriers can make it hard for people to access these vital programs. That’s where Triage Day comes in! Every other month on the third Tuesday, service agencies come together at 116 W. Ave G in Temple to allow clients to get many needs met all at one time.
Feed My Sheep clients are a diverse group with their own unique needs. Triage Day recognizes these needs by including a wide range of service providers.  Clients can manage everything from banking to housing to mental health support all in one place at one time.
              Individuals looking for help with housing meet with Jamielynn Schweigert, an application intake specialist with Central Texas Housing Consortium. CTHC provides public housing that is income based but never more than 30% of a client’s total income.  Rent is adjusted based on income and circumstances and the program considers loss and change of employment when determining monthly rent. In addition to public housing, CTHC has Income Qualifying properties across the area. To qualify for one of these properties, the individual must have an income of three times the determined monthly rent.
              Clients seeking medical care have several options at Triage Day!  Caroline Mccall, a Patient Navigator Bell County Indigent Healthcare, is on hand to direct people to their Medical Coverage plan.  This plan is for people from age 18 until they qualify for Elder Care who are unable to obtain coverage through any other program such as SSI or Medicaid/Medicare.  This program allows people to visit hospitals and doctors of their choice and allows up to three prescriptions a month with no copays. Everything is at no cost! They also help with dental and vision care.  Clients with chronic conditions, such as asthma, mental illnesses, and heart conditions, who enrolled in the Medical Coverage can enter the Navigaton program for help working towards their health goals.  This program includes a 30 day follow up after the initial medical visit to see how the individual is doing with their goals.   For those who qualify for Medicare, Dametrus Lane from Scott and White Healthcare is available to explain upcoming changes to the S&W Medicare Advantage program and to help with annual enrollment.  She can also answer any questions about Medicare and how Medicare works with the S&W Advantage plan.
              Bill Barker from Bringing Everyone in The Zone mans a table offering free hygiene packs. His organization offers peer to peer counselling and peer to peer groups for veterans and their families. There are weekly meetings across Bell County and they offer financial assistance when funds are available.  The group was started with three veterans in 2009 and works with Bell County Veterans Treatment Corps.
              After a long day of meetings, First Convenience Bank is a welcome sight with their inviting snack table.  For any individual, a bank account represents stability and ease of access to funds.  It is an important step for people working toward getting back on their feet.   FCB is available to answer any banking questions that a client may have. Clients can set up their new bank accounts onsite by filling out the required paperwork. Then, when the client has their ID and documentation ready, they can go to the banking locations in the HEB on Adams or the 31st St.  Wal-Mart. There they get their photos taken, receive their debit cards, and make and initial deposit.
              Finally, Erika Mendoza from Lonestar Legal Aid -Belton is available to discuss free legal services. They help with everything but criminal or fee generated cases. Typical services include family law cases, veteran benefits, and public benefits.  Mendoza finds fulfillment in “making a difference in someone’s life” and says that helping with hospice cases and protective orders have been some of the most important.
              In addition to these groups, Families in Crisis, Canikor- Drug and Alcohol, Center of Hope – Salvation Army, Central TX Youth Services, Christian Women’s Job Corps, First Atlantic Healthcare, Liberty Insurance, and Lane Insurance Brokerage are also often in attendance.  Triage Day provides a way for families and individuals in crisis to meet with multiple organizations all under one roof. This is a huge blessing for the people Feed My Sheep serves and maximizes the impact on their day to day lives. If your organization can offer hope and help to the clients of Feed My Sheep and would like to partner with us for an upcoming Triage Day, please contact Jim at jhornsby74@yahoo.com.

​Some sit as far away as possible, slowly inching their chairs closer. Others listen distantly while folding their laundry. While even more sit in the living space of The Well and listen to Donna Elliott lead them through the Bible one book at a time. This every Tuesday women’s-only bible study has been influencing many homeless ladies and their children for the last several years.
 
It all began with obedience to the voice of God. “It’s completely a God-thing,” Donna remarks. Her husband and members of their small group enjoy doing construction- type service projects. At the time, one of the upstairs rooms at The Well was to be converted into a classroom. The whole small group went to check out the project and learn about Feed My Sheep. Even Donna, who is not into construction, went along for the ride.
 
President, Jim Hornsby, gave them a tour of Feed My Sheep and the room they were to renovate, giving an explanation of the various services they provide, including teaching bible studies. Donna felt God leading her to tell Jim that she enjoys teaching the Bible. But she argued with God, “He just said he had people who do that already,” she thought. However, over and over again she heard this call – “stronger than I have ever heard in my life” – you should tell them you like to teach Bible classes.
 
Surrendering, Donna found Jim sitting at his desk. She said, “I know you said you have someone who teaches bible studies already, but if you ever need a substitute. I just want to drop my name in the hat.” He began to tell her about this bible class that incorporated scripture into a twelve-step program. She told him she had never done anything like that before and didn’t feel she had the experience to take that on. So, she left Feed My Sheep that day thinking that God just wanted to see if she would be obedient. “God did not actually need her to teach a class,” Donna figured She thought she would never hear from Jim again.
 
To her surprise, two weeks later she received a call. “We need someone to teach a bible study,” Jim said. A different study than the one previously proposed. The very next day, Donna found herself preparing for what would be her weekly bible class and now she has been teaching steadily and consistently for the past two years.
 
Donna feels she was born to teach. When she was little she would line up her dolls and teach them. Then she gathered up the neighborhood kids, lined them up and taught them. She believes, “It’s how God made me. It’s my strongest spiritual gift.”  Donna has been gifted the opportunity to use her God-given talents through this ministry work.
 
The weekly study has proved itself invaluable for the homeless ladies, as well. Some say things like, “I’ve never seen it that way before” or “I’ve never heard that before.” Along with learning about God, The Well provides a safe and comfortable home-like environment just for women. Donna says, “They have the ability to go in and take a shower and do laundry whenever the doors are open.” There is a children’s play area, also a living room and dining area, where the bible studies take place.
 
Currently, they are studying the book of Acts. Donna’s teaching style is to simply start at the beginning of a book and go to the end – one verse, one chapter at a time. Some of the women have never heard scripture before or held a Bible in their hands. Therefore, there are no timelines or agendas; she takes the time she needs to teach them how to navigate the Bible. Donna simply allows herself to be led by the Holy Spirit. “When we get done with a book, I just ask the Lord where are we supposed to go next and He tells me.”
 
As with all “God-things,” when you give you also receive. “The women always thank me and they treat me like a rock star,” Donna smiles. “They act like I have done the most wonderful thing for them, and what they don’t realize is that they have done the most wonderful thing for me. I always get way more than what I give.”
 
***
 
The Well, Women’s Day Center at Feed My Sheep, is located at 110 W. Ave G.

Feed My Sheep and Churches Touching Lives for Christ (CTLC) have partnered together once again for the Weekend Nutrition Ministry! This ministry provides food for local students; kids who face bare cupboards and empty stomachs over the weekend.
Jim Hornsby expressed that school staff noticed the need first. Children were “hanging out” in the cafeterias on Mondays to eat the leftovers, because they had not eaten all weekend.
Qualified students are provided refillable backpacks filled with seven kid-friendly meals and snacks. Breakfast includes foods such as oatmeal and cereal. Lunches and dinners consist of items like raviolis, mac and cheese, or ramen noodles. These types of foods allow children the ability to prepare the meals on their own. Additionally, snacks are comprised of fruit cups and granola bars.
Besides CTLC, Feed My Sheep is working with many wonderful people and organizations in the area. Other partnerships include ACE (TISD’s after school program) and 4C Communities in Schools. The program relies specifically on the school counselors, who help find the students who need assistance the most, and feeds 600 total students – 400 of them coming from the Temple area. Other school districts participating are Bartlett, Holland, Troy, Little River-Academy, and Rogers.
The Weekend Nutrition Ministry starts back again on August 22, 2018!

The Well Women’s Day Center at Feed My Sheep partners with The Christian Women’s Job Corps of Bell County to help women create and reach their spiritual, personal and occupational goals. The CWJC’s mission is to “enable women to bring positive change to their families and communities.”  
Site Coordinator Penny Reveile believes the road to success begins with mapping out ones goals. Specifically, the development of S.M.A.R.T goals – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Penny says, a goal like I want to go back to college, does not necessarily set a person up on a plan to get there, but making it a SMART goal provides direction and attainable milestones.
The volunteers walk the women, step-by-step, through the preparation process and timely action items needed to achieve their dreams. Critically thinking about the effort required and the life-altering changes needed to change their present course is an integral part of being successful. The women accomplish this by working through the Jobs for Life curriculum, which discusses how to attain a biblical view of employment and a healthy work ethic.
Local business’ have shown their support by giving guest talks and presentations and even holding mock interview sessions with constructive feedback.
Additionally, CWJC facilitates connecting the ladies with organizations or resources necessary to travel their newly created roadmap. The mentors – called “Journey Partners”- also assist their students in building a solid foundation for whole life success by helping them with relationship, budgeting, time management, parenting, and organizational skills. 
Journey Partners develop deep friendships with the women they assist; they are not just someone the women go to when they have a problem. Penny reflects, “This is something that sets the CWJC apart from some of the other programs that are similar.” Some relationships “have gone on for ten years or more.” They meet once a week, have dinner and Bible study together, and then work on personal goals.  Another part of their time together is in the study of the book Boundaries, which teaches them how to set healthy perimeters on the (sometimes toxic) relationships in their lives.
This program focuses on the generational change and legacy that these women can now leave for their families. When asked how the program had affected their family, a daughter of one of the graduates responded, “Mom’s different now. Our family’s different now. We go to church. We love each other. It’s just so much better!”
The leaders of the CWJC want to let these women know that they are worth the time they invest in themselves.   
If you are interested in learning more about the Christian Women’s Job Corps, you can contact Penny Reveile at 254-718-9698.
CWJC’s office hours at The Well: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am -1:00pm.
Class schedule: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 5:30pm -8:30pm.