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| The Problem Financial advisors tell us that 70% of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck, many with large monthly incomes. If life's circumstances suddenly affect them, many draw upon lines of credit to bail them out. Those living at or below the poverty line do not have the luxury of credit or the resources to make ends meet in a crunch. Innocent children suffer and they simply do without. In addition, children in the margins do not have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities in the community that provide fun, education, and the all important building of self-esteem. 
Most people associate "marginalized people" with being homeless on the streets of a major city, but the "margins" include thousands of individuals and families who are scattered throughout our communities, barely noticed, if at all. Add the multiple socio-economic pressures that exist in our country today, and many more families find themselves facing new and seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
 All these circumstances help to lower self esteem and eventually a person gives up hope that life can improve. Addictive, destructive behaviors attempt to ease the pain, further complicating the problems. Consequently, at-risk persons, and especially men are not usually found in churches and many have little or no concept of faith or spirituality. In the midst of these circumstances LSM illuminates lives with a ray of hope! The Solution: The LSM Concept Our concept is simple. First, reach out in love to those in need in the community, assessing and addressing their most urgent, critical needs.
Second, develop a Success Plan that addresses the obstacles to breaking cycles of poverty and dependency in their lives, eliminating each obstacle over a two year period. In addition we explore opportunites for children to participate in fun, educational, extracurricular activities that help burn off energy and build self-esteem! Third, partner with businesses and organizations that want to give back to the community by providing discounted services to our clients. Fourth, with a faith perspective, bring the client and local service provider together with an accountability agreement, providing financial resources on the client's behalf as necessary.
The concept works because God is in charge, clients are accountable to a Success Plan,
and the community is involved, not a governmental welfare system. Our Services 
Services offered through referral for our clients are multiple and varied depending upon their current needs, anticipated needs, and their ability to pay for such services. 
Crisis services can include: food, clothing, shelter, medical care, transportation, utilities assistance, etc.
As crisis needs are met, the longer term, Success Plan can include services like: professional counseling, alcohol and drug dependency treatment, legal or financial issue assistance, career and job placement services, after school child care, tutoring, continuing education including parenting and life skills training, spiritual renewal/healing and pastoral counseling, Christian education, medical and dental services and auto repair
extracurricular activities for children that are fun, educational, and recreational including camps, sporting events, lessons in swimming, art or music, and much more!
The client's ability to pay for any or all of these services is assessed and financial assistance is provided as necessary for the client by LSM. Again, clients must maintain accountability to remain in the LSM program.
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