Today I served for the third day in the MARC in Shawnee, OK. The term MARC stands for Multi-Agency Resource Center. Sponsored and hosted by the American Red Cross, the MARC is a wonderful opportunity and place for many agencies to come together. Because of the stream-lined intake process, all of the agencies who participate can get clients through the process of casework more efficiently. The MARC here in Shawnee assists clients through this experience and helps them to begin to rebuild their lives. serving in Oklahoma.

The process here starts with the American Red Cross Red Line. The Red Line is staffed by highly trained Red Cross workers who help clients to record who they are and what happened to them. After the clients are evaluated and assisted by the Red Line, they are escorted by an ambassador through a quick medical check. Following the medical check, the client is escorted into the Resource Room where all of the partner agencies are present at various tables.

Here is a list of the agencies who have a presence at the Shawnee MARC:

• The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services
• Department of Human Services
• Catholic Charities
• Red Cross Mental Health Assessment Team
• Social Security Administration
• Disabled American Veterans
• Americorps
• Christian Aid Ministries
• Goodwill
• Church of the Latter-Day Saints Disaster Services
• The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Disaster Relief
• Oklahoma Insurance
• Legal Aid Services
• Oklahoma Health Care Authority
• Chickasaw Nation Health System
• Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief

All of these agencies are offering a variety of services to help the residents begin the long process of recovery.

The MARC is a great example of agencies coming together for a common cause and making a difference in the lives of people. These people find themselves at one of the toughest moments of their lives. They have had most everything taken from them and their homes and lives bared for a national audience. These agencies come together to give them some relief and help to restore that dignity in a safe and secure environment.

“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:16 NIV).

Soli Deo Gloria!

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