Wheeler Mission's Blog

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

Wheeler marks another milestone this month as we celebrate the ninth anniversary of our long-term addiction recovery program for men called Hebron. At this writing, we have 60 men enrolled in this year-long intensive regeneration program, organized to change a man from the inside out. Please go to our website to read testimonies of men whose lives have been turned around. Find them at www.wmm.org, click on the ‘Ministries’ tab, then ‘Hebron Center’. You’ll be encouraged by what you read!

The name Hebron was taken from the Old Testament, when cities of Refuge were established in ancient Israel. One of these cities was named Hebron, meaning “community.” As in the days of old, Wheeler Mission’s Hebron, offers a place of refuge and community where men can focus on recovery. God has been at work and we are so thankful to be celebrating nine years of ministry to the addicted and their families.

Rick

I was reminded recently of the importance of mentors. On a recent trip to Ohio, I spent some time with the man who mentored me when I was a teenager. His name is Adrian Smith. Adrian taught my Sunday School class, was my basketball coach, and on occasion he was my boss when I worked at the local grain mill. I was a regular visitor at his dinner table and when my parents were out of town, I would stay at his house like one of the family. He was a major influence in my decision to go into full time ministry. His mark on my life was incredible.

Bringing a person out of homelessness also takes a fair amount of mentoring. Our front-line staff includes case managers, chaplains, and counselors who invest time and care in the lives of the folks who enter our doors. I am so thankful for them. Just like Adrian, they are making a mark on someone’s life.

Who are you influencing today?

Rick

Labels: mentoring