Jill Boye is the office manager at The Living Center in downtown Le Mars, which has been open five years. The center's passion is to in part "help individuals receive life changing truth about who they are so they can live a full and satisfying life." [Click to enlarge]

The nondenominational organization has served more than 600 individuals, families and couples' emotional and spiritual needs.

Teresa Shaver, executive director of The Living Center, said lay counselors there don't do the work themselves, instead they rely on Jesus and the truths of His Word.

Staff at The Living Center are starting The Scroll Christian Resources book shop in the lower level of the center, 112 Central Ave. N.E. The Scroll will offer Christian-based material to the public for a suggested donation. [Click to enlarge]

"If we can help people get to Him, they can find the answers," Shaver said. "If we can help people receive the truth, then it's a benefit to the community."

Since January, Shaver has been working to make The Living Center, 112 Central Ave. N.E., a stand-alone ministry supported by the community.

The center was founded in 2002 by Mike and Cheryl Wells.

"The ministry has grown beyond one person being able to support us," Shaver said.

Previously The Living Center operated using private donations, but because of its continued growth $50,000 must be raised by June 30, 2009, the end of the fiscal year.

Shaver said she would like to find monetary supporters who can contribute to the nonprofit center's mission on a monthly basis.

"We're looking for people who find value in what we do and believe in what we do," Shaver said.

Those who receive services through The Living Center do so on a donation basis.

Staff are also currently working to open The Scroll Christian Resources book shop within the center.

"The public can get Christian resources and books for a donation," Shaver said. "It will (also) help to get people in to learn about us and become a potential donor to the ministry."

The Living Center will also host a Family Fun Day fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Olson Cultural Event Center.

Thanks to area businesses' donations for prizes, food and organization, any money raised at the event will go back into the the center's ministry, Shaver said.

"It's a way to rub shoulders with people in the community," she said.

In addition to monetary support, Shaver has also contacted area churches to educate leaders as to the kind of services The Living Center provides.

"We want to build relationships with the pastors," Shaver said.

With that connection, individuals seen at the center can then be directed to an area church and lay counselors and pastors can work together, she said.

Throughout the last five years The Living Center has served people both locally and as far away as Worthington, Minn. and Omaha, Neb.

"People want what God has," Shaver said. "I believe God brings them."

Currently The Living Center has eight staff members, five of which work directly with clients.

Housed within The Living Center is the Center for Financial Education, which provides budget counseling and client to credit help.

That portion of The Living Center's services is also Jesus-driven, Shaver said, as it was His ministry to help people both physically and emotionally.

"We just want to bring wholeness and healing to our people," Shaver said. "We know we can't do it. We know only God can do it."