Casa de Esperanza: Mission Complete!
Back in February MSC was introduced by Harvest Bible Chapel to a dirty, uninhabitable, run-down building some 80-plus years old. As we walked through the home for the first time, we knew that virtually every square foot would need to be renovated. At that moment MSC jumped in to partner with HBC and get involved with ‘Hope House’ and begin a complete renovation of a new women’s and children’s shelter. As we look back now we are so grateful to have been part of this project. To take something many saw as a tear down and transform it into a place where single moms and their children can live has been such a blessing! We cannot thank you enough for your support in helping us with this project! Also, thank you to the congregation of Harvest Bible Chapel who gave so generously! Please read a quote below from Dr. James MacDonald on how this ‘home’ will truly bring ‘hope’ for years to come!
“Someone has said that when you have lost ‘hope’ you have lost everything. Hope is the confident expectation that something better is ahead for you. Sadly, many today live without hope of any kind. In Chicago there is a growing number of women homeless on the streets and often with children. They wander in search of food and shelter experiencing a hopelessness that staggers the mind. They have often fled, for the sake of their kids, homes where sexual abuse and drug addiction were common. They have chosen homelessness over physical violence that threatens their children. In desperation they wander searching for someone to lift a hand to help. One of the areas where this is most common is in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago’s near west side.
Right there near North Avenue and California I recently met Pastor Wilfredo DeJesus who has built an incredible church and ministry that is reaching these kind of women. The church rallied together to purchase a three level building with potential to get some of these woman and their children off the streets. Though they owned the building it was very run down and they did not have the funds or man power to bring this facility to a place of usefulness. It was then I called my friend Bob Swaback and asked if the Mitchell Swaback Charities would be willing to partner with Harvest Bible Chapel in a makeover of this building to help. Less than a year later, my wife Kathy and I stood outside a beautifully refurbished building and heard the testimonies of the first woman brought from despair to hope through this new facility. I am so proud of Harvest Bible Chapel’s partnership with the great folks of Mitchell Swaback Charities and New Life Covenant Church; together we have done something none of us could have done alone. It would have been easy to say there are ‘too many’ and the problem is ‘too big.’ Instead by God’s grace we are doing what we can, and the House of Hope is changing lives today. House of hope could not have a better name because it brings HOPE to women trapped in poverty and abuse. To God be the glory.”
View the entire Casa de Esperanza photo gallery >>
Comments
There aren't any comments yet, be the first!