Philips honored on their retirement from Help Center

Father Ron Philips is retiring as Priest in Charge from Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and Director of the Help Center after serving the center for the past eight years.

At their retirement party, Ron and Audrey were presented with a new sign renaming The Help Center to The Philips Help Center, in recognition and honor of Ron and his wife Audrey's work in the community. Karen Shafer and Michelle McCawley are taking the reins to continue the same work and services as the Philips. They also have plans to expand the services currently offered.

Father Ron and his wife Audrey started the Help Center in 2016, recognizing a need to be met for those who were having difficulty getting matched up with grant funds and other help. The Help Center has assisted in providing guidance with forms, access to computers with internet, scanners and fax machines, and providing a wide variety of other needs.

The Help Center then grew into helping young people get their GED and they also collaborated with Barb Rice and the Youth Alternative organization and Central Wyoming College. This program grew so much that they were running out of room. The Hope Agency, at the time, opened up their building and gave it to them.

The Help Center has even helped those in need for those who didn't have hot water or food. They have provided meal vouchers and emergency food boxes as well.

Ron said, "Everything has gotten more expensive, as everyone knows. Just about the time someone thinks they're getting on their feet; the price goes up and that budget they thought might work doesn't." Audrey shared about her efforts to help people with financial counseling but expressed the difficulty of making ends meet and not seeing much left over for food after paying other bills.

As part of Shafer and McCawley's transition into leadership, they described it as "learning to swim" but they are now "finding their stride and are actually swimming." They said that they have "big shoes to fill" from Ron and Audrey's roles.

Shafer added, "It's hard to explain because the Help Center does so many different things. You never know who's walking through the door. You don't know what situation is going to come in. Sometimes we can help and sometimes we can't, but we always try."

Shafer and McCawley said, "There's never a dull moment... At the end of the day, it feels really good to be there and have that open door."

Regarding their backgrounds and how they came to participate in the Philips Help Center; it is one of the many outreach programs of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of which Shafer and McCawley are both members.  

McCawley is retired from the State of Wyoming, where she worked for 24 years at the Wyoming Boys School. She worked with those who had pasts of violent crimes and drug addiction. "Helping those kids was huge for me. And, matter of fact, my son told me when I talked to him the other night, he goes, mom, I haven't heard you this excited to talk to me about doing something since you left the Boys School. And, I feel that this is another outreach of being able to help people and support people and let them know that it's okay to struggle. You know, you've got somebody here for you, somebody that's going to help you get through it and help you figure out how to get through it."

Shafer was already working with Philips. But for Shafer's personal reasons, she said, "I was a single mom, having my own struggles with addiction and living below the poverty level. I've had to lean on agencies for assistance, whether that be food stamps, health care or daycare assistance. There were times when I needed help. I remember what it was like to receive that help and the difference it made in getting back on my own two feet. Now I have an opportunity to be a part of giving back. I can't explain how it feels to be able to help people and give them the confidence and knowledge that they need to be able to help themselves. That, too, is a big part of it. Both of us feel very strongly about being willing to do your part."

Keeping that in mind, McCawley and Shafer, along with other volunteers, have a vision of offering a type of life skills classes through the program. These classes would have guidance on real life challenges such as budgeting to live within your means, simple home and car maintenance, cooking, baking and shopping, among other things. They hope to continue with the emergency assistance but also be a part of finding long-term solutions for those in need.

One of the biggest pieces of advice that Audrey gave was to always "Err on the side of Grace."

They are fully reliant on volunteers and are funded solely through grants, fundraising and donations. With that and the help of other agencies, they offer food, diapers, formula, rental, utility and prescription glasses assistance. They are also the Salvation Army representatives in Hot Springs County. They and many volunteers ring the bells every year to raise funds that help those who reside within our county. There is a need beyond that. Please come see them, anyway. They may not be able to help you directly but will try to find an organization that can.

Shafer added, "Father Ron and Audrey have created an amazing program of giving and helping within the Help Center. Michelle and I intend to carry on with their legacy. And by the grace of God, the program will grow to be able to reach more of those in need."

For more information, call 864-3322. All are welcome through their doors.