Over the years, DUCO has received requests for emergency assistance in excess of $556,000 annually! With vision and a collaborative spirit this ministry network strives to equip people with new perspectives and practical tools, thereby encouraging them to be an integral part of the resolution to their plights.

YOU CAN HELP DUCO SHEPHERD OTHERS BY OFFERING:

We invite you to partner with DUCO in using community resources more effectively.

To learn more about this ministry, contact the DUCO administrative office and outreach center, 757-877-6211.

Those seeking crisis assistance, please call: (757) 877-9079

Application for financial aid combined with budget mentorship is by appointment.

From Homeless to Hope

One of the special encounters that occurred when we were still facing cold weather is when a partner church member referred a person who was homeless to DUCO.  Making contact with this lady the same day of the referral, our team learned she had one bus token to make her way to DUCO.  We were able to extend the courtesy of seeing her whenever she could catch a bus to the Outreach Center that afternoon, rather than scheduling her for a specific appointment time.  A DUCO team member fielded the call prior to operating hours and then made a special, face-to-face visit at a local transitional housing shelter.  As a community colleague, the shelter’s agent was gracious enough to see this lady in need of housing immediately after she finished at DUCO.  (The appointment flexibility by both organizations may sound like a small thing, but it is not.  Securing appointments for aid in this economy is challenging!  The person in need had no means to travel to various resources, so timing can be critical in coordination of services.)

DUCO offered her encouragement, hot coffee, food from our pantry, bus tokens, and job listings/contacts.  Having completed the assessment and planted seeds of relationship, we drove her to the shelter.  (Transporting clients is not a customary service for a lot of prudent reasons and operational preclusions.  However, we pray for discernment when we sense the Spirit nudging us in certain step-in-faith measures, such as this example.)

The lady completed the shelter application and was placed on a waiting list.  DUCO reported the update to the referring partner church who continued to nurture her through a community group that met at the church.  Less than a month later, this once homeless individual dropped by DUCO for a visit to apprise us of her good news of both securing a job and being accepted into the shelter’s transitional housing program!  She looked wonderful—not disheveled as she did the day of her visit to DUCO.  Her gratitude warmed our hearts and encouraged our spirits.  Our ministry team shared this good news with the shepherding church member who pledged follow up contact and nurture of this lady.

It truly is uplifting to see lives touched and turned towards the Light of Hope, and it excites us to witness God’s people working together by His Hand to open these doors of hope.  As are always the sentiments of our hearts, we thank you ever so sincerely for your joining hands with this ministry!  Because of Hope Eternal… ~The DUCO Team