"I have never had to ask for help before in my life, other than family. It has to be the lowest feeling a person can feel. I was very embarrassed to ask for help and felt worthless."

Another client in a letter echoed those feelings when she said, "…a series of just bad luck events set our once happy, ordinary family into a downward spiral with no stopping of the spiral in sight. I was so beyond depressed and when I looked into my children's eyes the overwhelming feeling of being a complete failure and that after everything and all those years of hard work and never giving up trying ….now we were falling and failing our family."

Both of these clients in their letters told of the amazing love demonstrated by the wonderful volunteers at United Ministries.

"Thanks to United Ministries, I now believe that some people in this world really care and understand…and it is okay to ask for help and some people will not look down and you…but will catch you to keep you from falling."

Another client letter said that the volunteers who did the initial telephone intake at United Ministries "made me feel as if I were the best Mom in the world, working for my children and trying to save our home. They reassured me that I was doing the best I could and to keep trying."

            She also said the women that greeted her on her visit the next day to United Ministries "were smiling and acted as if I were someone they had known for years…she made me feel like nothing was to be embarrassed about."  Then she went on to say that her counselor "never judged" her and "treated me with respect as if I were her own child. She prayed with me and embraced me."

            She ends her touching letter with these words: "I have never been shown love, like I was shown from United Ministries. I honestly believe it is the first time I have seen what a true Christian is. I left that morning feeling no shame and more love than I have felt in a long time."