With virtually no infrastructure in the surrounding community to help with refugee resettlement, Good Shepherd spearheaded an ecumenical coalition to aid four young Haitians who arrived with no English and no relevant job skills. With a severe housing shortage in the area, they had to be housed for months in the rectory. Athens County was in the grips of high unemployment, but Good Shepherd helped the newcomers surmount the challenge. Within a year, all had gained the knowledge and confidence to support themselves in Columbus. Overt racism evokes a steady, informed, and visible rebuff from the people of Good Shepherd.
Parishioners keep informed of problems through their work with peace and justice groups in the area.
In the last three years, the Ku Klux Klan has staged or tried to hold rallies in Gallipolis, Pomeroy, and Athens. Good Shepherd uses the deanery network to alert people in the pews and call on them to act according to their Christian principles. Human, direct, and constant, this parish's life exemplifies faithful witness against racism and for brotherhood.