Open Table Ministry
The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas is sponsoring eight Open Table projects with partial scholarships for those churches interested.
An Open Table project is where eight to ten parishioners volunteer for monthly, long-term mentoring of a person who needs life-coaching to meet major goals such as employment, healthcare, housing, education, etc. The volunteers use their own education, contacts and life skills to focus on the recipient of the project and help launch them from poverty to self-sustaining lifestyles. The program generally last about a year.
Open Table is a national, faith-based program. However, the recipient does not have to be a Christian before, during or after the program, said the Rev. Charlie Keen, the diocesan liaison for the program. People in our churches have the resources to walk alongside someone who is homeless or just released from prison, and help them get on track, he noted. The program has seen success in other parts of the state and nation.
The recipient of an open table can be chosen by the parish, or a partner agency, and must be screened to ensure they have the willingness to improve their life, Keen said. Parishes may also partner with other churches or groups, Keen said.
Volunteers pay $125 a year, to participate and the church pays a fee as well, depending on its size, but the diocese is helping lower those costs with scholarships, Keen said.
For more information, contact Keen at .
Click here to see testimonies from Open Table graduates.