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ALBANY, GA -- Finding a job in today’s economy can be a monumental challenge for anyone.

But what if you didn’t have simple things like a toothbrush, clean clothes, or even a place to take a shower?

One local organization trains its volunteers to help by showing – not doing.

"There’s a lot of times it doesn’t work but when it works, it’s really uplifting for everybody," said Richard Stevens.

Stevens is a volunteer for a Place 4 Hope, which held a training session for its newest group of volunteers on Friday.

A Place 4 Hope is a homeless outreach extension of the Salvation Army.

Its goal is to give the needy the tools they need to find a job and return to a normal life.

"It’s a center that provides showers, laundry facilities, a resource center, computer lab, and phone access," said Doug McClure of the Salvation Army.

Volunteers learn how to help clients by showing, not doing.

"They put their clothes in the wash, they put them in the dryer, they fold their own clothes," said Sheila Urick, Volunteer Coordinator. "We’re not there to do laundry service. We’re just there to give them the opportunities to use the services."

One of the items provided by a Place 4 Hope is a hygiene kit with supplies like shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant. It’s symbolic of the organization’s mission to be a hand up, not just a hand out.

"Our clients have been found to be very, very appreciative and very willing to work," said Urick.

Stevens has seen the success of the center’s hands-on approach firsthand.

"A gentleman came to us and he was homeless. He wanted some help," said Stevens. "Two weeks after we helped him, he came to us and he had found himself a job."