ATLAS Overview

:: Core Values
:: Mission, Strategy, and Goal
:: What is ATLAS?
:: What makes ATLAS different?
:: How does ATLAS work?
:: How are Mentors selected and trained?
:: Who uses ATLAS?
:: Who refers clients to ATLAS?
:: What does it cost to obtain services at ATLAS?
:: Are there other communities where ATLAS is located?
:: Who has benefited from the services of ATLAS?
:: Sources and Uses of Funds?

Mission, Strategy, and Goal

Mission: Together, touching lives for Christ
Strategy: Helping the hurting, equipping the saints and uniting the community
Goal: Producing disciples that are attaining truth, love and self-control

What is ATLAS?

ATLAS (Attaining Truth, Love and Self-Control) is a Christ-centered ministry that provides personal development services to individuals and families who are hurting for a variety of reasons. ATLAS is not a counseling agency but works with other professional counseling and support organizations in cases where professional assistance is needed. ATLAS works with churches and resource organizations to meet the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of people. ATLAS is a non-profit 501c3 organization committed to touching lives for Christ. Viewing ourselves as an alternate front door to the local churches our purpose is not to thrive or even survive, but to serve and submit to the bride of Christ in hopes of seeing community wide transformation and revival.

What makes ATLAS different?

The holistic nature of our services, the drive to collaborate and network with others and the desire to work ourselves out of a job makes ATLAS very unique. We are not in love with ATLAS, we are in love with Jesus Christ and His church. Another great difference can be attributed to the care and love of trained volunteer mentors from the participating churches.

How does ATLAS work?

Helping the Hurting
ATLAS helps by providing a loving and caring environment to walk beside individuals and families in times of need. Once the client(s) have come to ATLAS the following steps will take place:
- An initial needs assessment will be done by our Direct Services Advocate who will take the time to get to know the individual(s) to determine what type of care is needed.
- During the initial assessment we will try to determine the following:
  - What are the primary issues that have brought this person to ATLAS?
  - Does the individual truly desire to change or are they looking for someone to enable them in their current lifestyle and decisions.
  - Does the individual need professional help? If so, the individual will be introduced to a specialist in that particular area of need.
- While professional care is being provided, our staff will continue to meet with them to encourage and care for them.
- If it is determined that the individual does not require professional care an ATLAS Staff member will meet with them on a regularly scheduled basis to help the individual work through the issues that brought them to ATLAS.
- Once the individual is through the crisis period and it is determined that the individual is ready and teachable, a trained Mentor from within the community will be assigned to them who will continue to work with them in the choices they make and continue to encourage them in their walk with God. This is the goal of ATLAS to get the saints to walk alongside these hurting people and get them connected in the local church where we are not needed anymore.
- The ATLAS Mentor Coordinator will also meet periodically with the mentor and the individual to assure that progress is being made, provide additional resources and assure that appropriate boundaries are being maintained.
Equipping the Saints
ATLAS offers the following to help equip and empower ordinary Christians to minister in extraordinary ways to those around them:
- ATLAS trains emotionally and spiritually mature individuals from all Christian churches to become mentors to those that are hurting. The mentors are the ones who will provide the long term care, encouragement and accountability to help individuals achieve a healthy and abundant life.
- Financial training and assistance with budgeting, debt management, savings and planning for future, tithing and stewardship.
- Periodic Bible studies and discipleship classes on various topics based on the needs in the community.
- Sponsor and promote seminars that educate and raise community awareness of needs and resources.
Unifying the Community
ATLAS works with Christian churches from all denominations. In addition ATLAS works with many of the outstanding resource organizations throughout the community. ATLAS provides introduction to these resource organizations and does not desire to duplicate services already available.
- ATLAS seeks to unite the community by hosting times of corporate prayer and fasting for transformation and revival.
- ATLAS also hosts periodic networking events for pastors, businessmen, city officials, teachers and other professionals.

How are Mentors selected and trained?

Mentors are selected through recommendations received from pastors and leaders within the church who know of individuals and can attest to their character, emotional and spiritual maturity. All prospective mentors will undergo a complete and thorough background check for the safety of all persons being mentored. Once the mentors have been contacted and accepted, the mentors receive approximately 6 hours of training. The mentors also continue to receive on-going training and support from ATLAS' Mentor Coordinator. The Mentor Coordinator is also responsible for matching the mentors and mentorees based upon multiple criteria including spiritual background, hobbies and interests as well as previous life experiences. The Mentor Coordinator also meets with the mentor and mentoree to set boundaries for the mentoring relationship such as the number of hours per week or month they agree to meet as well as times of the day and days of the week for contact. These boundaries may be changed as the relationship progresses upon their mutual agreement.

Who uses ATLAS?

People from all socioeconomic, personal and professional backgrounds come into ATLAS. ATLAS is designed to come along side of hurting people and help them deal with the issues they are facing and provide them with long term care and direction through trained mentors. ATLAS clients include; doctors, teachers, bankers, single parents, students, elderly and others from all walks of life.

Who refers clients to ATLAS?

Clients may come to ATLAS from the following: referral by a church, referral by a friend or family member, referral by another organization such as a financial, medical or mental health professional, previous client, or they may come to us directly.

What does it cost to obtain services at ATLAS?

Nothing. ATLAS does not charge clients for the services they provide.

Are there other communities where ATLAS is located?

Yes, ATLAS was founded in 2000 in Sioux Center, Iowa and has since grown to include sites in the following communities in Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Click here for our current locations.

ATLAS is currently in communication with the following potential communities: Delevan, WI. Pella, IA. Eagle Grove, IA. Sibley, IA. Sheldon, IA. Spirit Lake, IA. Fargo, ND. Grand Island, NE. Zeeland, MI. Overland Park, KS.

Who has benefited from the services of ATLAS?

Individuals, Churches and Communities. Click here for some of our testimonials.

Sources and Uses of Funds?

ATLAS is totally supported through the generous donations of individuals, churches, businesses and other organizations. Many of its financial supporters are previous recipients of ATLAS services. A % of the funds received will be set aside each year to provide financial assistance to ATLAS' clients to help pay for supporting services. The remainder will cover the training of volunteer mentors as well as salaries and administrative costs of providing these services.



	ATLAS Overview ATLAS Communities Audio/Video Testimonials		ATLAS Overview :: Core Values :: Mission, Strategy, and Goal :: What is ATLAS? :: What makes ATLAS different? :: How does ATLAS work? :: How are Mentors selected and trained? :: Who uses ATLAS? :: Who refers clients to ATLAS? :: What does it cost to obtain services at ATLAS? :: Are there other communities where ATLAS is located? :: Who has benefited from the services of ATLAS? :: Sources and Uses of Funds? Mission, Strategy, and Goal Mission: Together, touching lives for Christ Strategy: Helping the hurting, equipping the saints and uniting the community Goal: Producing disciples that are attaining truth, love and self-control What is ATLAS? ATLAS (Attaining Truth, Love and Self-Control) is a Christ-centered ministry that provides personal development services to individuals and families who are hurting for a variety of reasons. ATLAS is not a counseling agency but works with other professional counseling and support organizations in cases where professional assistance is needed. ATLAS works with churches and resource organizations to meet the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of people. ATLAS is a non-profit 501c3 organization committed to touching lives for Christ. Viewing ourselves as an alternate front door to the local churches our purpose is not to thrive or even survive, but to serve and submit to the bride of Christ in hopes of seeing community wide transformation and revival. What makes ATLAS different? The holistic nature of our services, the drive to collaborate and network with others and the desire to work ourselves out of a job makes ATLAS very unique. We are not in love with ATLAS, we are in love with Jesus Christ and His church. Another great difference can be attributed to the care and love of trained volunteer mentors from the participating churches. How does ATLAS work? Helping the Hurting ATLAS helps by providing a loving and caring environment to walk beside individuals and families in times of need. Once the client(s) have come to ATLAS the following steps will take place: An initial needs assessment will be done by our Direct Services Advocate who will take the time to get to know the individual(s) to determine what type of care is needed. During the initial assessment we will try to determine the following: What are the primary issues that have brought this person to ATLAS? Does the individual truly desire to change or are they looking for someone to enable them in their current lifestyle and decisions. Does the individual need professional help? If so, the individual will be introduced to a specialist in that particular area of need. While professional care is being provided, our staff will continue to meet with them to encourage and care for them. If it is determined that the individual does not require professional care an ATLAS Staff member will meet with them on a regularly scheduled basis to help the individual work through the issues that brought them to ATLAS. Once the individual is through the crisis period and it is determined that the individual is ready and teachable, a trained Mentor from within the community will be assigned to them who will continue to work with them in the choices they make and continue to encourage them in their walk with God. This is the goal of ATLAS to get the saints to walk alongside these hurting people and get them connected in the local church where we are not needed anymore. The ATLAS Mentor Coordinator will also meet periodically with the mentor and the individual to assure that progress is being made, provide additional resources and assure that appropriate boundaries are being maintained. Equipping the Saints ATLAS offers the following to help equip and empower ordinary Christians to minister in extraordinary ways to those around them: ATLAS trains emotionally and spiritually mature individuals from all Christian churches to become mentors to those that are hurting. The mentors are the ones who will provide the long term care, encouragement and accountability to help individuals achieve a healthy and abundant life. Financial training and assistance with budgeting, debt management, savings and planning for future, tithing and stewardship. Periodic Bible studies and discipleship classes on various topics based on the needs in the community. Sponsor and promote seminars that educate and raise community awareness of needs and resources. Unifying the Community ATLAS works with Christian churches from all denominations. In addition ATLAS works with many of the outstanding resource organizations throughout the community. ATLAS provides introduction to these resource organizations and does not desire to duplicate services already available. ATLAS seeks to unite the community by hosting times of corporate prayer and fasting for transformation and revival. ATLAS also hosts periodic networking events for pastors, businessmen, city officials, teachers and other professionals. How are Mentors selected and trained? Mentors are selected through recommendations received from pastors and leaders within the church who know of individuals and can attest to their character, emotional and spiritual maturity. All prospective mentors will undergo a complete and thorough background check for the safety of all persons being mentored. Once the mentors have been contacted and accepted, the mentors receive approximately 6 hours of training. The mentors also continue to receive on-going training and support from ATLAS' Mentor Coordinator. The Mentor Coordinator is also responsible for matching the mentors and mentorees based upon multiple criteria including spiritual background, hobbies and interests as well as previous life experiences. The Mentor Coordinator also meets with the mentor and mentoree to set boundaries for the mentoring relationship such as the number of hours per week or month they agree to meet as well as times of the day and days of the week for contact. These boundaries may be changed as the relationship progresses upon their mutual agreement. Who uses ATLAS? People from all socioeconomic, personal and professional backgrounds come into ATLAS. ATLAS is designed to come along side of hurting people and help them deal with the issues they are facing and provide them with long term care and direction through trained mentors. ATLAS clients include; doctors, teachers, bankers, single parents, students, elderly and others from all walks of life. Who refers clients to ATLAS? Clients may come to ATLAS from the following: referral by a church, referral by a friend or family member, referral by another organization such as a financial, medical or mental health professional, previous client, or they may come to us directly. What does it cost to obtain services at ATLAS? Nothing. ATLAS does not charge clients for the services they provide. Are there other communities where ATLAS is located? Yes, ATLAS was founded in 2000 in Sioux Center, Iowa and has since grown to include sites in the following communities in Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Click here for our current locations. ATLAS is currently in communication with the following potential communities: Delevan, WI. Pella, IA. Eagle Grove, IA. Sibley, IA. Sheldon, IA. Spirit Lake, IA. Fargo, ND. Grand Island, NE. Zeeland, MI. Overland Park, KS. Who has benefited from the services of ATLAS? Individuals, Churches and Communities. Click here for some of our testimonials. Sources and Uses of Funds? ATLAS is totally supported through the generous donations of individuals, churches, businesses and other organizations. Many of its financial supporters are previous recipients of ATLAS services. A % of the funds received will be set aside each year to provide financial assistance to ATLAS' clients to help pay for supporting services. The remainder will cover the training of volunteer mentors as well as salaries and administrative costs of providing these services.