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What does the Path do?

By TIMES STAFF
Published March 17, 2007

BEVERLY HILLS - The Path stores and its other fundraising projects keep the rescue mission running so that it can continue, as it has since 2001, helping people who were homeless achieve self-sufficiency by teaching them life and work skills, morals and ethics.

The ministry has two homes in Beverly Hills: one for men, one for women and children.

"Some people think of a rescue mission where they do emergency housing with the bunk beds and meals," executive director DuWayne Sipper said. "That's not what we're doing. We're in the second phase, more of the program phase, or recovery stage."

Besides housing them, the ministry helps 75 to 100 people a year with things like budget counseling, parenting skills and even how to drive a car.

"They are homeless, but it's more than that," Sipper said. "We're also getting people 30 years old and mommy's getting tired of taking care of them. They begin to do their chores and enter a work program where they can eventually work full time. We provide them transportation."

They also receive spiritual teaching through church attendance and Bible study.

"We want people to accept Jesus because that's where they're going to get victory," Sipper said. "If that spiritual thing doesn't take place, we find people struggling all the time."

He's proud of the ministry.

"Our administrators are doing all that for 10 to 12 people at once," Sipper said. "It's hard work."

- Gail Hollenbeck

[Last modified March 17, 2007, 07:19:48]