40-40-40 ... Day 20: Simon Kenton Bridges of Hope

Day 20! I'm half-way through this 40-40-40 Lenten adventure, and nearly $900 in. On this half-way mark, I'm excited to focus on an organization that is just getting off the ground close to "home" in Ohio. Why? Because at the end of these 40 days that is where Randy and I are headed! We'll be looking for opportunities to serve (to keep ourselves from missing our Baja kids!), and this one definitely feels like a worthy cause. Special thanks to Hannah (Bethany Seminary student and part-time pastor at Xenia Friends Church) for sharing the story of Bridges of Hope.

SIMON KENTON: BRIDGES OF HOPE

By Hannah Mullikin Lutz

After several years of working to secure funding and to purchase a building, Simon Kenton Bridges of Hope was finally able to open its doors in December of 2017 to those experiencing homelessness in Xenia, Ohio. For the first time since 2015, single men and women, as well as those who might have been on the waiting list for the small, families-only homeless shelter in Xenia, had somewhere to go to shield themselves from the cold winter weather. For a lot of the homeless folks who had grown accustomed to sleeping on benches in the snow or to digging holes in the ground to sleep in, this was a great relief. Having a warm bed, a place to shower, and a hot meal can mean so much to a person who has nothing but the clothes on their back.

According to a frequent shelter guest, Gabriel, 

You know, when you’re out there with no showers, and you got nothing, you’re sleeping on benches—it really takes a load on you.

Bridges of Hope has been humming with guests since opening—averaging between 10 and 15 per night—and even having guests throughout the day when negative temperatures hit Ohio in January. It’s hard to believe that back in November, Bridges of Hope had no plans of being open anytime soon, due to a broken boiler system in the old school building that the shelter calls home and not having enough money to fix it. But God has been on the move in Xenia, and many have come forward to help launch this much-needed organization.

One of the coolest things about Bridges of Hope is that it isn’t just a homeless shelter. Bridges of Hope calls itself a “Hub of Hope”, as they have plans to launch programs that will help people who are experiencing addiction and poverty, as well as homelessness, in the near future. Ohio has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic, and addiction and poverty are both serious issues in Xenia. Bridges of Hope is in the process of partnering with an organization called the Jeremiah Tree, which is a faith-based drug rehabilitation center, a clothes closet, a toiletry bank, and a service that will teach basic personal finance, job interviewing skills, and more, to those who wish to sharpen their life skills. In Xenia, there are some serious service gaps, and having all of these services in one place will be incredibly beneficial to the community. Also, because Bridges of Hope is a faith-based organization, there is already a weekly Bible study for shelter guests, but they hope to offer more Bible studies and to have more opportunities to spread the powerful love of Jesus as they grow.

Bridges of Hope has already helped so many in Xenia during the short time that they have been open, and they hope to continue to spread the love of God to those who are in need in the community in the years to come.

The words of a formerly homeless woman, Crystal, who is now volunteering at Bridges of Hope so that she can help those who are currently in her former situation, say it best: 

I needed a place like this when I was homeless. A place where love and community come together to offer help and healing. I believe in Bridges of Hope.

ACTION STEPS

LEARN more about Bridges of Hope.
FOLLOW Bridges of Hope on Facebook for ways you can help (they recently sought out a hairdresser and prayer partners, as well as items such as gloves and boots).
FIND OUT how you can PRAY/SERVE/GIVE/DONATE to Bridges of Hope.

*Donating online was almost too easy. It made me nervous. But I got an email receipt right away so I knew I was good!