Partnership Links Missouri Guard With Faith-Based Organizations
By: Lindsay Clein
Updated: August 6, 2012
SPRINGFEILD, Mo. -- A program is working to help meet the needs of soldiers and airmen in the Show-Me State.
Missouri National Guard's Partners in Care, a faith-based partnership between the Guard and the Missouri faith community, began more than a year ago.
The Guard's Joint Force Chaplain, Gary Gilmore, discussed the program at Praise Assembly Monday morning at the Recovery Coalition of the Ozarks meeting.
The coalition is the network of substance abuse counselors through the Department of Mental Health that supports soldiers and airmen in their communities.
Partners in Care helps link guardsmen and faith-based organizations. Needs can include things like counseling, transportation, meals, and many other helpful services.
"At every country crossroads there's a local church," says Gilmore. "That person has a pastor or caregiver where in a crisis would be someone who if I knew I had a soldier or airmen in distress, I could say, 'Pastor, could you reach out and help them?' and 'Help is on the way to help you.' So we're rebuilding this network of caring caregivers and trained clergy members and networking our networks together."
Gilmore says all faith communities are welcome to participate as Partners in Care congregations.
