Pictured on the left: Mentor Greg
Diamond and his son Nicholas.
Harley
and Jessica Gingles, both 24-years-old, are
raising three young children, Julien (5) Desiree
(3) and Kalub, their newborn. Harley was in a car
accident that crippled his family financially.
Soon the family ran out of resources and became
homeless.
Harley now works about 50-60 hours a week for a
local moving company and Jessica has much on her
plate taking care of their children. When the
mentor team (comprised of Greg Diamond and his
wife Denise, and Debbie & Mark Hohlen) met the
Gingles, Julien wasn’t enrolled in kindergarten.
The team quickly sprang into action, helping
Jessica contact her local school, suggesting
Julien be dropped off and picked up by the school
bus just two blocks from the Gingles home. That
way Jessica could walk to meet him, as the Gingles
have no car. The school cheerfully accommodated
their transportation request. Greg considers it “a
big success to get Julien in school.” Greg
remarks, “It also takes some pressure off the
family because we’ve helped them obtain assistance
through the school lunch program – now he’s got
breakfast and lunch provided for.”
“This family has a significant number of needs,
and we’ve been able to take a lot of time to
address them,” says Greg. Normally a mentor team
and family meet seven times in four to six months.
Greg estimates that the Ascension mentor team has
voluntarily met with the Gingles about thirty
times in the past four months. “We’ve immersed
ourselves in this family,” says Greg, undaunted
and hopeful.
The Gingles’ mentor team is on the front lines
with the myriad driving needs - such as traveling
to doctor visits and to aid program sites - as
well as helping with the necessary babysitting.
While transportation is a major issue for the
Gingles, budgeting and managing their finances is
even more crucial. At first the Gingles were
resistant to budgeting, but Debbie and Mark helped
them past their denial. Their mentors are now
helping them through the tough work required for
getting their life in order. Greg credits the FSHI
model: It’s more important to build and develop a
relationship with the family first, then mentors
can deal more effectively with the difficult
subjects.
Greg says that the Gingles had an attitude of
deprivation and felt the need to reward
themselves. When they ordered their landline, they
also signed up for extra services that amounted to
$25 a month. “We helped them see that translates
to diapers and formula,” says Greg wisely. “It’s a
hard reality for any of us to face, but the
reality is that all of us have to make choices
about our money!”
Church of the Ascension gave the Gingles an
additional $250 for Christmas this year. Mentor
Denise took Jessica to Target, bought a gift card,
and walked the aisles with her, asking questions
and modeling appropriate choices, providing tools
to help her make her own wise choices. Denise also
does this with Jessica as she grocery shops. “If
you manage your life more effectively, you can
reduce your suffering. It’s all about choices and
taking responsibility for yourself,” says Greg.
What’s next for the Gingles and their mentors?
The Gingles’ mentors will keep providing ongoing
encouragement and advice in life skills and money
management, as well as help in taking care of
basic needs. For example, Greg has enlisted his
dentist to take care of Harley’s dental issues.
How long will they continue working with the
Gingles? “It’s open- ended. We still feel a degree
of responsibility for them and will help in
whatever ways they need. Jessica recently called
Denise one morning when all three of her kids had
high fevers – they really appreciate our help.”
Sometimes it’s just good to know there’s
someone you can call for help and to know there’s
light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you Church
of the Ascension mentors for being wise, guiding
lights to the Gingles Family!
