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                        CARING FOR LIFE
                     INTRODUCTORY LEAFLET
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    1. What is Caring For Life?
    2. Who does Caring For Life help?
    3. How does Caring For Life help?
    4. Why does Caring For Life help?
    5. Can you help?
    6. Contact!



    1. What is Caring For Life?
    ===========================
    Caring For Life is a registered Christian charity
    established in 1987 to help the growing number of
    homeless and inadequately cared for young people.

    Caring For Life was formed by Christians who were
    concerned to provide practical and down to earth help
    for vulnerable young people.



    2. Who does Caring For Life help?
    =================================
    Caring For Life helps those who have become homeless,
    including:
        those who suffer from behavioural disorders or
        psychological problems resulting from serious
        physical, sexual or emotional abuse;

        those with psychiatric disorders;

        young people who have left care and have no where
        to go or no one to turn to;

        those with a history of offending;

        those with moderate to severe learning difficulties;

    Without help these young people may turn to crime,
    drug and alcohol abuse or prostitution. The despair
    which homelessness or loneliness brings leads some to
    attempt suicide.

    These young people do not just need a "roof over their
    head". They need friendship, support, encouragement,
    advice and training to assist them in their progression
    towards independence, dignity and self respect.



    3. How does Caring For Life help?
    =================================
    Caring For Life seeks to care for the overall needs of
    homeless young people in the following ways....

    *The Residential Project at Tindall House in Leeds,
    provides a home for young men for as long as they wish
    to stay. The emphasis is on providing a very stable and
    secure environment in which meaningful relationships
    can be formed, whilst also encouraging the young people
    to develop their own potential and to gradually gain
    the life skills they need. The lack of any cut off point
    or time limit on length of stay has helped many young
    people to find the emotional security they need and to
    ultimately enable them to move on into their own
    independent living accommodation.

    *The Resettlement Project, with 4 full-time workers, the
    resettlement project seeks to find homes for a continuous
    stream of vulnerable young men and women. Many have
    suffered emotionally and physically and need constant help
    and support as they learn to cope with the responsibilities
    of life. Initial help and counselling is followed by the
    search for a home, then the task of equipping it and helping
    the person to integrate into society. Establishing the home
    and moving in is, however, only the start.

    Discussion with other agencies confirmed our opinion that
    simply to provide accommodation for the young single
    homeless is only the first step in meeting their needs.
    All agencies stress the need for the provision of life
    skills training, individual counselling and long term
    support. This is particularly vital for young people who
    have learning  difficulties, have been in care, had no
    family support or who suffer from emotional or psychiatric
    disturbance.

    *CFL's Work Experience Projects are based at Crag House
    Farm, a rural setting which is far removed from the
    surroundings to which most young people are accustomed.
    For those who are damaged or disturbed it offers a sense
    of space and freedom as well as the opportunity to learn
    to enjoy and to care for the environment.

    Agriculture: whilst learning to care for a range of
          livestock, damaged young people can learn to relate
          to animals and then, more adequately to their peers.

    Workshop: Creating something from scratch, or seeing a job
          successfully completed, can evoke a tremendous sense
          of achievement and self confidence.

    Horticulture: Young people acquire many skills; propagation
          of plants, vegetables and shrubs, landscaping, tree
          planting, walling and conservation. Enjoyment of the
          fruits of their labours are a great incentive!

    Car Maintenance: Working alongside others in a regular job
          often gives a sense of worth and self respect to those
          who take part. Our car maintenance bay is a challenge
          to the young people.

    *The Day Care Centre at the farm offers kitchen
    facilities, social and recreational opportunities,
    advice, counselling, support and ongoing friendship
    to young people.

    *Life skills Training courses offer advice and support on
    running a home and providing for daily needs, employment,
    family planning, health, hygiene and the interpersonal
    skills missing from those whose early lives have been
    marked by suffering.



    4. Why does Caring For Life help?
    =================================
    Caring For Life believes that each human being is made
    in God's image and is the object of His love and should
    therefore be treated with dignity, honour and respect.
    No person is of any greater intrinsic value or worth
    than another and none ought to be despised, looked down
    upon or discriminated against.

    The motto of Caring For Life has become very simply,
    "Sharing the love of Jesus". That which motivates us to
    love others is the undeserved love of God which He
    demonstrated for the world in sending His Son, Christ
    Jesus. Our commitment to others is a responsive love
    to God's undeserved love for us.

    This underlying basis, combined with compassionate and
    consistent care has enabled many very damaged and
    disturbed young people to attain a sense of self-respect
    and dignity and to begin to relate to other people in a
    way which was previously impossible.



    5. Can you help?
    ================
    Much more needs to be done but a start has been made
    and considerable success enjoyed. Young people who
    previously had no hope for the future are beginning to
    develop a real sense of security, self confidence and
    self respect. Some have obtained full time employment,
    some have ceased offending and many have gone on to
    live in their own accommodation.

    However, funds are urgently needed in order to continue
    and expand. Will you help us ?

    Please help us to provide the young people we care for
    with all that is necessary to replace their despair
    with hope, fears with security, uncertainty with
    direction and loneliness with friendship.

    If you would like any further information about the
    work of Caring For Life or if you would like to make
    a donation, please contact us at:



    6. Contact!
    ===========
    CARING FOR LIFE
    Crag House Farm
    Cookridge
    LEEDS
    LS16 7NH
    UK
    Tel no: 0113 2612131

    Charity Registration No. 519138
