Celebrating 80 Years

YEARS CELEBRATING 80

APRIL 2023 | havenofrest.org HAVEN OF REST MINISTRIES | 175 E. MARKET ST., AKRON | 330-535-1563 | HAVENOFREST.ORG

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HAVEN OF REST MINISTRIES

MIRACLES & MILESTONES

1943 Haven of Rest was founded on faith by the Rev. Charles C. Thomas and Marjorie Ruth Thomas in a small storefront on North Howard Street.

AFTER DECADES OF CHANGES, ONE THING REMAINS CONSTANT AT HAVEN OF REST: OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SERVE AND GLORIFY GOD THROUGH CHRIST

1952 Ground was broken for a new building with a clinic for those dealing with alcohol abuse on East Buchtel Avenue. 1974 Construction of a modern, more functional Rescue Mission was completed. 1976 Founder, Rev. Charles C. Thomas died and was succeeded by his son, the Rev. Curtis Thomas. 1979 An increase in homelessness created a need for a separate facility for women and children and our Marjorie Ruth Thomas Harvest Home was opened. 1989 Additions to Harvest Home were made and completed—increasing our capacity by 50 percent. 1995

CENTERED OUTREACH.

Client Services Center opened to meet the growing need for comprehensive programs for men and women. 1996

Marjorie Ruth Thomas died at 88 a ! er 33 years helping thousands of men, women and children in need.

2003 A ! er 90 combined years of service, Rev. Curtis Thomas and his wife, Eileen, retired and Rev. Ben Walker began as Executive Director. 2011 The Rev. Je " rey A. Kaiser began his service as CEO.

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havenofrest.org | APRIL 2023

HAVEN OF REST MINISTRIES

80 Years of Haven The CEO recalls the past and present.

to grow as a women’s shelter that became essential for the Akron area. In 1979, the Marjorie Ruth Thomas Harvest Home was opened. The need for more space for expand ing programs and services was evident so the Haven of Rest purchased the Sanginiti’s Restaurant and land across the street from the Mission. This made it possible for us to open the Client Services Center in 1995 where emer gency shelter was provided for men needing help. The programs and services that are o ! ered through the ministry continue to evolve, while allowing individuals opportunities to transform their lives as they hear the Gospel message of faith, hope and love. Collaborating with other agencies in our community, which is vital, gives our guests the best opportu nity to get a fresh start in life. Thriving in ministry in the Akron com munity for 80 years, we have become a woven piece of fabric in our area where we helped thousands of men, women and children begin anew by ministering to their physical, emotional, educa tional and spiritual needs. We are so grateful for the gracious group of volunteers, prayer partners, financial supporters, businesses, foundations, corporations and all donors who support us in this important rescue ministry. I want to thank you and hope you enjoy this supplement to Akron Life magazine regarding the history of the Haven of Rest. We are excited to see what God will do in the future as we continue to serve in Akron and beyond! In Christ’s Name, REV. JEFFREY A. KAISER CEO

MEN'S MINISTRY

Haven of Rest Men's Ministry is a program within the larger Haven of Rest Ministry organiza tion that specifically serves men who are struggling with addic tion, homelessness and other life challenges. The program is designed to provide men with a safe and supportive environ ment where they can receive the help and resources they need to overcome their struggles and lead fulfilling lives. The Men's Ministry program o ! ers a variety of services, including addiction recovery programs, emergency shelter, transitional housing, food assistance and career development. The program also provides spiritual guidance and support to help men find hope and purpose in their lives. The addiction recovery programs at Haven of Rest are designed to help men and women overcome their addiction to drugs or alcohol through a combination of coun seling, support groups and other therapeutic services. The program also includes job training and life skills classes to help build a strong foundation for their future success. The goal of Haven of Rest Men's Ministry is to empower clients to break the cycle of addiction and homelessness, and to help them achieve a better life for themselves and their families.

Eighty years ago Haven of Rest Ministries’ doors opened at 41 N. Howard St. Rev. C.C. Thomas and his wife, Marjorie Ruth, answered God’s pro found call on their lives to serve those in need. During that time in 1943, much was going on in our world including the Great Depression, World War II and the beginning of the Cold War. In the midst of all that, Akron’s Christ centered ministry began. As I research through Haven of Rest’s history, I can see how God directed and led the ministry over the years. Because of growing needs, the Mission moved to a larger building on Buchtel Avenue. Then the Mission moved again in 1974 to its current location at 175 E. Market St. The ministry continued

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APRIL 2023 | havenofrest.org

HAVEN OF REST MINISTRIES

“This Time It’s Different” After years of false starts, Greg knows he’s finally on the right path.

“I took my eyes o ! the Word,” he says sadly. “I lost contact with myself. I failed again.” Greg came to Haven of Rest almost 20 years ago for a meal and a shower. At the time, he wasn’t ready to commit and walked back out again. Then, a few years ago, he started experiencing severe stomach pains. “Finally, I had to crawl to the hospital,” Greg remembers. That’s when he was told he had stage 4 colon cancer, which soon spread to his liver. A " er chemotherapy and three major surgeries, Greg knew things had to change. “I wanted to get my life back together,” Greg says, “so I went to the place that helped me. Haven of Rest really put their arms out for me and welcomed me back. They’ve been blessing me since I’ve been here.” As a resident of Haven of Rest, Greg is finally living the life he’s wanted for so long. “My health, my mind — I’m feeling good about myself,” he says. “I’m back in the Word, praying and studying every night, just working for God.” “This time it’s di ! erent, because I want to do this,” he says. “I didn’t want to before, but this time I have the desire.”

Greg has faced a lot of challenges in his 57 years. He admits that many of them are due to his own poor choices. But his life has changed since coming to Haven of Rest for help! He thanks God and friends like you for helping him get back on track — this time, for good. Greg grew up in a bad neigh borhood, with a father with alcoholism. A " er his parents divorced, his mother did her best to keep the family together. He credits her for raising him in the church and keeping him focused on sports and o ! the streets. But a " er his sister died of kid ney failure, it all became too much. Greg started drinking at 17 and running with a bad crowd. Soon, he was using heavier drugs. and forth. He held steady jobs, married and had two daughters. Then something would knock him back out of control, like when his brother was murdered by a jealous rival. Another time, he says, it was just because he had too much time and money on his hands. Over the next 30 years, Greg’s life swung back

“MY HEALTH, MY MIND, I’M

FEELING GOOD ABOUT MYSELF.” “I’M BACK IN THE WORD, PRAYING AND STUDYING EVERY NIGHT, JUST WORKING FOR GOD.”

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havenofrest.org | APRIL 2023

HAVEN OF REST MINISTRIES

Leaving Confident Donna was hesitant to stay but was glad she did.

When Donna arrived at Haven of Rest’s Harvest Home she admitted she was afraid. She didn’t know what it would be like in a new place with new peo ple. Donna felt vulnerable, alone, and anxious, but after receiving help from staff and volunteers, she said she was glad she stayed. “I learned they really cared about me and my baby, ” she says. Donna talks about the programs and services she has used to overcome her challenges and heal. She is using the Mission’s resources to help her reach her goals. “I am at the Learning Center working to obtain my GED,” she says. She is continuing to use the Learning Center and its resources to help her find a good job. Donna has also completed the nutrition and parenting classes at Harvest Home. She says she enjoyed the Bible studies and daily devotions which helped her to grow as well. Coming from a tumultuous background, Donna had to overcome many circum stances that caused her to feel defeated. Her mom kept going back to Donna’s dad who had alcoholism and abused her. When Donna turned 13 years old, her dad died from cirrhosis of the liver. She was led down a wrong path, became addicted to drugs and did not finish high school. She found herself in and out of jail. During this time, she had several relationships and had three children. Donna’s youngest sister helped raise two of them, and she gave her third child up for adoption.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

Harvest Home was opened in 1979 in response to the grow ing need for an emergency shelter for women and children in crisis situations. The shelter can accommodate up to 59 women and children. The Women’s Day Room is the entry point for women to begin the rehabilitation process that can lead to the stabilization and re-establishment of their lives. As women come in o ! the streets, they find a variety of essential services available to them, including laundry, show ers, telephones and mail pickup. In addition, there are counsel ing rooms where they can meet privately with Haven of Rest sta ! or other social service agency workers to discuss problems and needs. Classroom space is also provided for life skills training, Bible studies and group meet ings. The Women’s Day Room includes a special quiet room where those who are pregnant or ill can rest. The Harvest Home’s 20-bed women’s dormitory provides safe, clean lodging for homeless single women. Those who come are welcomed into a warm, family-like atmo sphere. Every e ! ort is made to meet women’s and children’s immediate needs and to help them take the steps that can lead to meaningful lives.

A " er finding out she was pregnant with her fourth child, she began her sobriety journey at City Hospital. She also served a short time in jail. She was determined to go through rehab and wrote the judge a letter asking for help, which she was granted. When Donna’s baby was delivered, she had postpar tum depression. Her baby, James, was taken away from her for a month, but eventually she was able to regain cus tody. Not too long a " er that, she came to Harvest Home. With delight, Donna talks about how she just moved into her apartment and was pleased with her surroundings. “I received all the furniture I needed in my apartment for my baby and myself. I have never had so many things given to me,” she says. Donna shares how she enjoyed going through the program at Harvest Home and that she would return if she felt like she needed to. With a beaming, confident countenance, she conveys she is 14 months sober and plans on finding a good job.

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APRIL 2023 | havenofrest.org

HAVEN OF REST MINISTRIES

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Haven of Rest serves the community by providing meals, clothing and shelter while sharing the love of Jesus Christ at a number of free events such as our an nual community summer picnic, Hope Sports Camp for kids, happy birthday Jesus Party and toys for Christmas. HOPE TOTE Operation Hope Tote is a special outreach where individuals, church groups, school classes, civic organiza tions and businesses are asked to fill purple Hope Tote bags with personal care items (such as toothpaste, soap, deodorant, brush, comb, shampoo, etc.). These bags are then distributed the week before Easter to hundreds of homeless and struggling people in the community.

Education and Career Development

At the Learning Center, the education and career development programs help men and women learn the skills they need to find and keep a job. Haven of Rest’s Education Program allows men and women to enhance their computer skills so they become employable as well as work to complete their high school diploma or GED. All those enrolled in Haven of Rest’s Education Program can utilize classes as follows: • Microsoft Office training: Work on Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Power Point and Access • High School diploma program • GED program The career development program helps men and women nearing the end of their rehabilitation process learn the skills they need to find and keep a job. The Career Development Coordinator works with the residents to identify skills and assess what kind of jobs would be most suitable for them. Success in the career development program is completion of classes enabling residents to secure employment, vocational training or continue their education.

Career Development Program consists of: • Computer skills for everyone, math and reading • Bible study • Job application writing skills • Proposed spending plan • Resume building • Improve soft employment skills employers look for, such as: proper attitude, appropriate dress, problem-solving and punctuality • Interview skills training and mock interviews • Preparation for their transition to move out of the residential program (After care)

HOPE SPORTS CAMP

Hope Sports Camp is a special summer outreach for inner-city boys and girls in grades three through eight. They benefit not only from learning the fun damentals of basketball and volleyball, but also from interacting with leaders who model wholesome, Christ-cen tered lifestyles.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Our emergency services are available free of charge to all in need. We provide meals, overnight shelter, clothing, showers, laundry and other vital ser vices. See Men’s Ministry and Women’s Ministry for more details on shelter and other services. Providing safe shelter has always been a key part of Haven of Rest’s efforts to help. During this past fiscal year, 42,297 nights of lodging were provided to men, women and chil dren who otherwise might have spent the night on the street.

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havenofrest.org | APRIL 2023

HAVEN OF REST MINISTRIES

THE IMPACT WE MAKE TOGETHER

42,297 Nights of Shelter

22,550 Christmas Season Meals

1,212 Hope Totes for Those In Need

80 Years Helping Homeless People

96,826 Complete Meals

10,501 Individuals Served Through Clothing Department

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APRIL 2023 | havenofrest.org

Donate Donate now to help hungry and homeless people.

Just $2.05 provides a complete meal and the chance for a new life. To a hungry and homeless person, one meal can mark the first step toward real life changes. Your donation helps provide: complete meals, shelter or clothing, life-changing programs, Christian counseling and more.

CONQUERORS PROGRAM GOALS Freedom from life-controlling issues: Addiction is the primary reason men seek the program for help. The mission’s goal is for men to maintain sobriety. Providing a Biblical worldview: As a Christ-centered program, we believe that God and His word speaks to and shapes every aspect of life. Our goal is to impart basic Biblical literacy that leads to the practical application of these truths. Work and sustained employment: A major factor in the ongoing success of an individual is finding and maintaining sustainable employment. Our goal is to equip men with the necessary tools to find and keep a job. Maintaining healthy community: God created us to be relational beings. As such, vibrant connections to positive relationships that include a solid church community with which to grow are essential. Our goal is to see men connected to a local church and to a mentor. Obtaining sustainable housing: Addictions and a transient lifestyle o " en accompany one another. As a program that serves many homeless people, our goal is to see men providing for their sustainable housing needs.

ONE-TIME Your gi ! of $100 helps 49 people.

DONATE MONTHLY Become a monthly donor and your ongoing support will provide food and shelter for hungry, homeless neighbors. Haven of Rest’s Client Services Center was built in response to a need for additional facilities that would make possible a more e ! ective ministry to the many homeless people in Greater Akron and the surrounding seven-county area. The building contains the Men’s Day Room, Women’s Day Room, 100-bed men’s dormitory and a clothing receiving and distribution area. CLOTHING RECEIVING AND DISTRIBUTION Each month, Haven of Rest is the recipient of thousands of pounds of donated new and gently used clothing which is processed, stored and dispensed at the Client Services Center’s receiving and distribution area. A donation drive thru is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Sunday. In the clothing distribution area, hundreds of apparel items for men, women and children are available at no cost. If you are in need of help with clothing, please call Haven of Rest at 330-535-1563.

havenofrest.org | APRIL 2023 HAVEN OF REST MINISTRIES | 175 E. MARKET ST., AKRON | 330-535-1563 | HAVENOFREST.ORG

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