Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Heard a good story lately?
The Wheeler Mission Center for Women and Children (formerly called the Care Center) held an open-house recently. In January of this year, our programs for homeless women and children moved from a 100-year old school house to a renovated 10-story building, and we are rejoicing in the lives that are being touched there.
What makes this event even more special is the history of this building. It’s quite a story.
Back in the 1920’s, the Ku Klux Klan built this facility to serve as their social club, complete with a gymnasium where the Klan’s children could play together. The building served as the location where hate and bigotry was accepted and encouraged.
Down through the years, the building changed hands several times, and by the 1990’s, it was a rundown hotel and flop house – a haven for drug dealers and prostitutes. The name had changed to the Dearborn Hotel.
In 1991, Wheeler Mission purchased the building, gutted and refurbished it to house programs which promoted love and unity, based on the Gospel. For several years, it housed non-residential programs until our residential programs for homeless women and children moved there. What men meant for evil is now being used for good.
And that is a great story.
Rick
What makes this event even more special is the history of this building. It’s quite a story.
Back in the 1920’s, the Ku Klux Klan built this facility to serve as their social club, complete with a gymnasium where the Klan’s children could play together. The building served as the location where hate and bigotry was accepted and encouraged.
Down through the years, the building changed hands several times, and by the 1990’s, it was a rundown hotel and flop house – a haven for drug dealers and prostitutes. The name had changed to the Dearborn Hotel.
In 1991, Wheeler Mission purchased the building, gutted and refurbished it to house programs which promoted love and unity, based on the Gospel. For several years, it housed non-residential programs until our residential programs for homeless women and children moved there. What men meant for evil is now being used for good.
And that is a great story.
Rick
