In this excerpt from his new book, The Crisis of Dependency … True Charity CEO & Co-founder James Whitford powerfully illustrates the importance of being with people we want to help out of poverty.

Effectively assessing the circumstances of those seeking help is key to their long-term stability. True Charity’s client self-assessment survey will help you prioritize the dignity of the people you serve as you help them foster lasting change.

Have you ever felt like something wasn’t quite right in your charitable efforts? You’re not alone. One team member shares her past struggles and how she’s come to realize there is a trusted community—connected across the nation and united in person each year–linking arms to holistically serve the poor.

If you belong to an American church, chances are you’ve been on a short-term mission trip — or supported one somehow. Helping Without Hurting sheds light on how those trips may cause more harm than good and offers practical tips on how to effectively support existing congregations in low-income communities.

Ministry leaders often navigate the tension between respecting an individual’s agency and upholding absolute truth, particularly when guiding those in poverty toward wise and moral choices. Effective mentorship requires balancing encouragement and accountability—listening first, celebrating progress, pointing to biblical absolutes, and respecting lived experience—all while allowing individuals to take ownership of their decisions.