{"id":2473,"date":"2024-02-17T12:03:19","date_gmt":"2024-02-17T12:03:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/?page_id=2473"},"modified":"2026-05-03T09:43:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T09:43:01","slug":"what-we-do","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/what-we-do\/","title":{"rendered":"About us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-ae10a644 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-b7785cd6 adobe-reg-italic\"><p class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Our mission is to help families and their loved ones impacted by transgenderism.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-f88bb7de alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-1356f5d0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-64f74a3b adobe-reg\"><h5 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">About<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n<nav style=\"font-size:14px\" class=\"is-responsive what-we proxima-font wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Aboout Menu\" \n\t\t data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.openMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M4 7.5h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><path d=\"M4 15h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container\"  id=\"modal-1\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--has-modal-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--is-menu-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\"\n\t\t\t\ttabindex=\"-1\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-close\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-dialog\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"state.ariaModal\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.ariaLabel\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--role=\"state.roleAttribute\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Close menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-close\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.closeMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"m13.06 12 6.47-6.47-1.06-1.06L12 10.94 5.53 4.47 4.47 5.53 10.94 12l-6.47 6.47 1.06 1.06L12 13.06l6.47 6.47 1.06-1.06L13.06 12Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-content\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.focusFirstElement\"\n\t\t\t id=\"modal-1-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul style=\"font-size:14px\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__container is-responsive what-we proxima-font wp-block-navigation\"><li style=\"font-size: 14px\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/about\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">ABOUT<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-size: 14px\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/our-leaders\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">our leaders<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-size: 14px\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/what-we-do\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">What We Do<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-size: 14px\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/what-we-believe\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">What We Believe<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-977be55e\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-c8349e01 adobe-reg-italic\"><h5 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Help 4 Families Founder And Executive Director:<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-efb5b46a wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/denise-shick-1024x240.webp ,https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/denise-shick.webp 780w, https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/denise-shick.webp 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px\" src=\"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/denise-shick-1024x240.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"uag-image-218\" width=\"1024\" height=\"240\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" role=\"img\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-3f8b0798\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-89b8668a\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-04e36a05 adobe-reg\"><h6 class=\"uagb-heading-text\"><strong>Denise Shick<\/strong> is a dedicated advocate, a compassionate leader, and the visionary founder of Help 4 Families. She is the director of both Help4Families and Living Stones Ministries, nonprofit organizations committed to providing support, resources, and hope to families facing life&#8217;s most challenging circumstances surrounding their self-identified LGBTQ loved one. With a heartfelt passion for service rooted in her personal experiences and a deep desire to make a positive impact, Denise has spent over two decades working tirelessly to uplift vulnerable families and foster community resilience.<\/h6><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-b47f5535\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-0dd22a1c wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Denise-Shick-what-we-do.jpg ,https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Denise-Shick-what-we-do.jpg 780w, https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Denise-Shick-what-we-do.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 150px\" src=\"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Denise-Shick-what-we-do.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"uag-image-2537\" width=\"246\" height=\"307\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" role=\"img\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-5ca2c865 adobe-reg\"><h6 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Denise\u2019s journey into social service began early. Witnessing the struggles of families in her life ignited her calling to serve and advocate for those in need of Christian support. She pursued higher education in social work and community development, earning her BA from Suny University, and MA and Doctorate from Summit Bible College, which equipped her with the necessary knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference.<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-e2677831 adobe-reg\"><h6 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Denise\u2019s approach is characterized by her empathetic listening and cultural competence, as well as her relentless advocacy for change in churches so God\u2019s people will be equipped and understand the brokenness affecting many sitting silently in the pews. She believes that every family deserves dignity, respect, and the opportunity to thrive.<br><br>Beyond her organizational duties, Denise is a sought-after speaker and trainer, regularly presenting at conferences and workshops on topics such as family resilience, trauma-informed care, community outreach, and transgenderism and its impact on families. Denise has been interviewed on many faith-based radio and television programs. She has published articles in The Federalist, LifeSite News, and American Thinker.<br>\u00a0<br>She is the author of eight children\u2019s books and several nonfiction books, including My Daddy\u2019s Secret, Moving Forward in Hope (a 90-day devotional), <em>Moving Forward in Community workbook, It Is Well with My Soul workbook, Understanding Gender Confusion A Faith-Based Perspective, and Transgender Confusion A Biblical Q&amp;A for Families.<\/em> She has a MA in Counseling and a Doctorate in Leadership. In addition, she is a certified Christian Counselor and a certified life coach.<br>\u00a0<br>When she\u2019s not working, Denise enjoys spending quality time with her family, taking long walks, and continuing her personal development journey. Her life\u2019s work is driven by a profound belief in the power of hope, compassion, and collective effort to transform lives and communities through Jesus Christ.<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-92badbab proxima-font\"><h6 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">HELP 4 FAMILIES MINISTRY<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-b367c4f7 adobe-reg\"><h6 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">(814) 598-4952<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-29ba3fad adobe-bold-italic\"><h6 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">&#8220;Trust the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5&#8221;<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator uagb-block-1dcf44cb\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator__inner\" style=\"--my-background-image:\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-d3b81c9d proxima-font\"><h6 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">IF YOU WANT TO SCHEDULE DENISE FOR AN INTERVIEW OR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT, PLEASE CONTACT DON OTIS BY USING THE BUTTON BELOW.<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-buttons uagb-buttons__outer-wrap uagb-btn__default-btn uagb-btn-tablet__default-btn uagb-btn-mobile__default-btn uagb-block-c1f35cbf\"><div class=\"uagb-buttons__wrap uagb-buttons-layout-wrap \">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-buttons-child uagb-buttons__outer-wrap uagb-block-8ec084b6 wp-block-button\"><div class=\"uagb-button__wrapper\"><a class=\"uagb-buttons-repeater wp-block-button__link\" aria-label=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/contact-us\/\" rel=\"follow noopener\" target=\"_self\" role=\"button\"><div class=\"uagb-button__link\">Book denise<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator uagb-block-b38685c6\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator__inner\" style=\"--my-background-image:\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-ec85f60b proxima-font\"><h6 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">OUR POSITION:<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list uagb-block-ee72a7c9  adobe-reg icon-text\"><div class=\"uagb-icon-list__wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-ae520635\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M512 256C512 397.4 397.4 512 256 512C114.6 512 0 397.4 0 256C0 114.6 114.6 0 256 0C397.4 0 512 114.6 512 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\"><strong><em>Help for Transgenders Must Balance Truth and Compassion<\/em><\/strong>: Help 4 Families acknowledges that the struggles gender-confused people endure are more than psychosomatic; they are real and they need to be addressed seriously, with godly compassion. But God\u2019s compassion cannot\u2014must not\u2014be divorced from His perfection and His sovereign, righteous rule. Just as Jesus concurrently displayed God\u2019s compassion and righteousness (John 8:2-11), so must His followers (Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:15; Jude 1:22\u201323).<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-a8f44453\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M512 256C512 397.4 397.4 512 256 512C114.6 512 0 397.4 0 256C0 114.6 114.6 0 256 0C397.4 0 512 114.6 512 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\"><strong><em>God Set Gender Boundaries<\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0Help 4 Families also acknowledges that God purposely built moral and relational boundaries into His creation. Crossing those boundary lines often appears to be pleasurable and even beneficial, but doing so comes with a heavy price (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23; 1 John 3:4).\u00a0Among the boundaries God set in place are those that deal with gender identity (Genesis 1:27; Deuteronomy 22:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9). He created both genders purposely and purposefully\u2014purposely in that He was guided by a deliberate aim and purposefully in that each gender has special distinctions. He designated both genders as \u201cgood,\u201d exactly as He made them (Genesis 1:27-31). Crossing that gender boundary (attempting to switch genders), tempting as it may be for some people, implies that God made a mistake. Help4Families affirms God\u2019s perfection; He does not make mistakes (Deuteronomy 32:3-4; Matthew 5:48; 1 John 1:5).<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-icon-list-child uagb-block-1301aedf\"><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__source-wrap\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M512 256C512 397.4 397.4 512 256 512C114.6 512 0 397.4 0 256C0 114.6 114.6 0 256 0C397.4 0 512 114.6 512 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"uagb-icon-list__label\"><strong><em>The Goal Is Restoration<\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0Those who believe they were born into the wrong gender are not any more evil or any more deserving of God\u2019s judgment than any other person (Romans 3:23). But they are deceived, and their deception, if acted upon rather than renounced, will have harmful consequences (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). The Bible commands those who have a true relationship with Jesus Christ to warn those whose beliefs and actions place them in peril (Leviticus 19:17-18; Proverbs 27:5; 2 Timothy 4:2). But we must do so humbly, seeking to restore rather than to punish, and we must acknowledge our own vulnerabilities as we seek to guide and restore (Galatians 6:1-2).\u00a0Help4Families believes\u2014and has seen\u2014that God truly can restore a gender-confused person (Psalm 103:2-3; Isaiah 53:5; John 10:10; 1 Peter 2:24). We believe, then, that it is our God-mandated duty to reach out in love and truth to those who struggle with gender confusion, despite the prevailing mood of our culture, which condones gender autonomy and condemns efforts to restore the gender-confused. We will obey God in this matter, regardless of the cost (Acts 5:29; Galatians 5:13-14).<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator uagb-block-1cd14dba\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator__inner\" style=\"--my-background-image:\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-463f4441 proxima-font\"><h6 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES<\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-775c89d7 adobe-reg\"><h6 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, \u201cTeacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?\u201d They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, \u201cLet any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.\u201d Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, \u201cWoman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?\u201d \u201cNo one, sir,\u201d she said. \u201cThen neither do I condemn you,\u201d Jesus declared. \u201cGo now and leave your life of sin.\u201d <strong>John 8:2-11<\/strong><\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-94aa917e adobe-reg\"><h6 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other\u2019s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. <strong>Galatians 6:1-2<\/strong><\/h6><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-2b1a3fe6 adobe-reg\"><h6 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. <strong>Ephesians 4:15<\/strong><\/h6><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"gsp_post_data\" \r\n\t            data-post_type=\"page\" \r\n\t            data-cat=\"\" \r\n\t            data-modified=\"120\"\r\n\t            data-created=\"1708171399\"\r\n\t            data-title=\"About us\" \r\n\t            data-home=\"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our mission is to help families and their loved ones impacted by transgenderism. About Help 4 Families Founder And Executive Director: Denise Shick is a dedicated advocate, a compassionate leader, and the visionary founder of Help 4 Families. She is the director of both Help4Families and Living Stones Ministries, nonprofit organizations committed to providing support, &#8230; <a title=\"About us\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/what-we-do\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about About us\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2473","page","type-page","status-publish"],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/author\/livingstone_g3td4qe3\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Our mission is to help families and their loved ones impacted by transgenderism. About Help 4 Families Founder And Executive Director: Denise Shick is a dedicated advocate, a compassionate leader, and the visionary founder of Help 4 Families. She is the director of both Help4Families and Living Stones Ministries, nonprofit organizations committed to providing support,&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2473","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2473"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2473\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4307,"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2473\/revisions\/4307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/livingstonesministries.org\/help4families\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}