Executive Values – A Christian Approach to Organizational Leadership

(published in San Antonio Express-News Dec. 23, 2000)

Faith-based programs help needy

(The following OpEd was written by Dr. Kurt Senske in response to President Bush's faith-based initiative.)

Earlier this week, President-elect George W. Bush hosted a meeting with a diverse group of religious leaders, including Father Virgilio Elizondo, to solicit input on how best to help faith-based programs change people's lives.

From his first days as governor of Texas, Bush has maintained a commitment to expanding partnerships between government and faith-based organizations to address social problems. He did this because he believes deeply that faith-based programs have the potential to transform people's lives in ways that government and for-profit programs cannot.

Real transformation occurs when a client is cared for by a social worker, a counselor or a mentor who feels compelled to help others. Lasting change is possible when the motivation is making a difference in the lives of needy, not in expanding the profit margin.

For those who doubt, I encourage you to ask any of the nearly 200 single mothers and their daughters who have been involved in our Coaching for Success and Youth Experiencing Success programs, now in their second year in San Antonio. This program partners women of faith with single mothers who are trying to make the difficult transition from welfare to the work force.

We train our mentors to offer nonjudgmental support. They lend a sympathetic ear and work with their partners to find solutions to those barriers (a lack of self-confidence, child care, transportation and interpersonal relations, for example) that may keep them dependent on public assistance. Our mentors are carefully instructed to not force their faith on their partners, but to serve as examples of Christian compassion.

Does it work?

Surveys of our clients show that 80 percent have increased in self-confidence after being in our program, and more than 60 percent are still employed or have improved their employment status.

This means someone like Dana Hopes, a single mother who once was dependent on public assistance and who has now been employed for more than a year, is deeply committed to self-sufficiency.

She wants a better life for herself and her son and has confidence in her ability to achieve it. a "graduate" of Coaching for Success, she has benefited tremendously from the encouragement and support of her mentor, Hollye Smith Schwartz.

The difference in Dana's attitude -- and her life-- is the result of someone caring and making a commitment to help her.

That lasting change is what President-elect Bush is striving for when he talks about how faith-based programs can transform people's lives.

Not only do the individuals involved benefit, we, as a society, realize the rewards.

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