Many of us project a positive, successful image to others despite our struggles. However, keeping up appearances can prevent us from serving others well. Those with fewer resources—those who can’t hide their brokenness with money or behind closed doors—can become “less than” in our minds. At the Life Center, we fight against this tendency by being awkwardly vulnerable with each other. We admit we’re all a little needy, which allows us to serve others with humility.

At the Life Center, we want every interaction to be “sprinkled with salt” so that all who enter our doors leave thirsty for Jesus. This means we pursue relationship with each person, meet them where they are, and intentionally point to Jesus in word and action. We want people to “taste” the difference that Jesus makes in the lives of those who follow Him.

We recognize that each economic class has its own cultural rules, values, and worldview. At times, these differing values can cause culture clashes between groups. Someone experiencing poverty, for example, is in “survival mode” and views time, money, and relationships much differently than someone in the middle or wealthy class. We strive to understand and bridge these cultures, believing that each group has something valuable to learn from the other.

We often think of “needy people” as those lacking food, clothing, or shelter. At the Life Center, we’re learning there are many types of poverty: relational, spiritual, emotional, and more. We all experience need in our lives, meaning that we’re all on equal footing—whether we’re helping someone else or being helped ourselves.

Phrases like “Get a job!” or “Why can’t you get yourself together?” can be crippling to those seeking help. At the Life Center, we understand that success looks different for each person—not everyone is meant to climb the corporate ladder or have a house with a white picket fence! No matter where a client is in their journey, our goal is to ensure they can sustain themselves without relying on us for survival. This means we are constantly trying to work ourselves out of a job!

Many of us—especially followers of Jesus—want to help without bounds. Unfortunately, these good intentions can cripple the very person we are trying to support. At the Life Center, we believe showing love and setting limits are not contradictory! Rather, we implement boundaries because we love people. Expressing expectations helps us avoid miscommunication and encourages our clients to actively participate in their own growth.

Differences can be divisive. However, we are learning not only to accept differences but also to delight in them! Our clients bring a unique perspective and culture to the Life Center, often amazing us with their generosity, creativity, and authenticity. There is much to learn from our friends, and we want to celebrate what they bring to the table.

Sometimes, we compartmentalize our lives like a pie: one slice for family, one for finances, one for spirituality, and so on. When trying to help someone else, it can be tempting to focus on only one slice of their “pie.” However, we can support others more effectively if we get a whole picture of their experience: the spiritual, emotional, mental, relational, physical, and material. Recognizing that each piece of the pie affects the others helps us avoid surface-level solutions that fail to address underlying factors.

You, me, the man holding a cardboard sign, and the woman dragging a screaming toddler through the grocery store have something in common—we were all created by God. No one was made accidentally or without purpose. In fact, we are God’s works of art! Choosing to view one another this way helps us recognize the inherent value of each person, regardless of their appearance, successes, or failures.

Many of our clients are very resilient. While we admire their tenacity to survive, we also know God designed us for more than just getting by. We encourage our clients to move beyond survival mode and become the person God made them to be: someone who can use and develop their gifts, build healthy connections with others, and know their Creator.

Our homeless friends are often viewed by society as second-class citizens, and consequently, they often receive secondhand items. We believe our clients deserve more than someone else’s leftovers, which is why many of our programs provide new toiletries, socks, underwear, and other supplies. We never want our clients to feel second-best, so we affirm their inherent worth by offering unused, quality items when possible.

We understand we cannot heal every wound or meet every need—nor should we try to. Our goal is not to become the be-all and end-all for anyone. Rather, we want to empower our clients to take ownership of their own growth. This involves collaborating with other organizations, implementing boundaries, and trusting God to do the transformative work that only He can do in others’ lives.