Help Center receives Outstanding Mission award

The Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming recently awarded the George B. Storer "Outstanding Mission" award to the Help Center created by Holy Trinity Episcopal Church here in Thermopolis.

According to Rev. Ron Philips, the driving force behind the Help Center, the Diocese has a foundation that looked over all the projects they have been helping fund for the past year. They determined our Help Center was the best mission of 2016.Philips said when they started this project they wondered, "how do we alleviate poverty?"

"Education is the best economic development," he said.

Helping people get their G.E.D. is a big part of the Help Center's program and Philips, along with a few volunteers, are teaching folks how to get that important piece of paper, from tutoring to classes and one-on-one help.

The day before receiving their award, Philips said they received some excellent news.

They have received another grant that will be available for post-G.E.D. students. It will provide $1,000 scholarships for G.E.D. students to attend college, trade schools or technical training.

The Help Center can even help students fill out the financial forms necessary for FAFSA in order to get additional financial support.

"This gives them the motivation to go beyond the G.E.D.," Philips said. "This is a lifetime change that opens all kinds of opportunities."

But the center isn't all about the G.E.D. Anyone may walk in, have a cup of coffee and discuss the problems they're having and before you know it, Philips and his volunteers will help figure out a solution. In addition to their regular clients, they are picking up approximately 16 new clients each month.

"There are 20 service agencies in Hot Springs County," Philips said. "We can help you figure out which agency is going to be the best fit for your needs. With so many to choose from, sometimes people just don't know where to turn."

While the Wyoming Job Service is available at the library once a month, the Help Center can provide online access to the job service three days a week.

"We're a place where people can just come in and chat," he said. "We're all about information sharing and socialization all in an atmosphere that feels like your livingroom."

The Help Center is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon until 3 p.m.