Community House opens across from Ray White Park

[October 21, 2015]   LINCOLN - A place for neighbors to gather, kids to have fun, Hope Grows Neighborhood Center has opened its doors right across from Ray White Park. The new community house is an expansion of His Hands Outreach that has already been engaged in the neighborhood for a couple of years. The lovely home located at 904 Short 11th Street will afford building relationships even stronger in the neighborhood.

On Monday, September 28 the home was open for all to see and there was a steady tread of visitors, many acquaintances from the nearby neighborhood.

Inside the spacious home, rooms have been set up for kids activities, which already take place in the park, but can now continue through the winter season. Board member Deb Hoover said that adult activities will also be added, but would be scheduled at separate times from when kids are present.

There are also plans to hold a Saturday Night Live Gathering that might include Praise and Worship, a time of sharing, and a community meal.

HHO began in 2013 as a ministry providing foot care to homeless people in Springfield. That work continues. However, wanting to provide for the needs of others closer to home, the Lincoln board members walked the city asking for God’s guidance. In the summer of 2014 they were steered to the Ray White Park neighborhood by an offer from Kathy Vineyard to assist with the city’s community garden program.
 

The Community Garden led to thousands of pounds of produce given away in the neighborhood over the last two years, but more importantly brought people together in relationship. A Sunday lunch and activities in the park for kids and adults evolved and expanded those relationships.

The relationship between the city and HHO has continued to evolve also. The group helps maintain the park and churches have supplied a basketball goal, additional picnic tables, and even a new pavilion was provided through the Together for Lincoln group this year. HHO has partnered with the nearby Northwest School as well.

The Center now offers greater opportunity for HHO activities, especially as the weather turns inclement, for deepening relationships with a place to meet year-round.

The mission of HHO is to show the love of Christ while meeting real needs: sharing food, offering a listening ear, showing support, lending guidance when asked, spending time together, just being there when people need someone. HHO mission statement reads, “We exist to create space where the Body of Christ connects with and serves our neighbors.”

Already there are some specific kids only hours set. Kids Club for ages five to 18 is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 – 6 p.m. Kids are welcome to just drop in to do arts, crafts and activities. They will also be offered help with homework and healthy snacks.

Adult Drop-in Open Hours that folks can stop in for coffee, snacks, conversation and prayer will be posted at the house.

Specific adult opportunities are yet to be determined, but according to Hoover, some of the thoughts are to offer practical life skills such as computer use, assistance at online job applications and peer group counseling. There will also be hours to just stop in for a cup of coffee and conversation.

Support services being considered include transition groups for those entering back into society, premarital, marital and couples assistance; men’s group for depression/anxiety and addictions.

The home would also be made available to other support groups such as Celebrating Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or Grief Share.

Seventh Day Slumber concert

In an outreach last August, HHO hosted a major Christian rock concert. On Friday, August 7, Lincoln residents were treated free of charge to a dynamic concert performance by the band Seventh Day Slumber. The band was chosen for its real life messages in song and the testimony of a changed life by the lead singer.

Jefferson Street Christian Church hosted the event with JSCC Senior Minister Michael Mallick welcoming concert goers with prayer for God’s love and grace over all. Prior to the band taking the stage, HHO ministers, Deb Hoover and Ed Tibbits each talked a bit about how they have seen lives changed by the love of Christ and the sorrow of seeing someone turn away.

Tibbits explained how he has been involved in the ministry HHO, which began as a foot care ministry to the homeless in Springfield. He relayed a particular loss that saddened him this year. A downtrodden man he had cared for began a recovery from alcohol in a Christian rehabilitation program. During his recovery process the man had reconciled with his long estranged family and was happy when Ed last met with him not so long ago. But when Lonnie went back to his old neighborhood he slid back in with old friends and alcohol, and this past spring died.

Tibbits and Seventh Day Slumber gave a positive message, that there is hope and there is a way. Faith in God, his grace and salvation found in his son, Jesus, is hope for all.

The longer range plan of HHO would be to have a transitional house in the area for those trying to put their lives back on track.

HHO board members include – Kim Richards, Mike and Penny McIntosh, Don and Deb Hoover, Jeff Robinson, Cindy Taylor and Kenda Jones. The Ministry Team Committee consists of Ed Tibbits, Deb Hoover, Katie Samson, Penny Macintosh, Angela Reiners and Barb O’Donohue.

[Jan Youngquist]