{"id":27760,"date":"2021-12-29T01:21:31","date_gmt":"2021-12-29T01:21:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cmshub.wpengine.com\/?p=364921"},"modified":"2024-11-03T15:14:06","modified_gmt":"2024-11-03T15:14:06","slug":"pastor-opens-homeless-shelter-and-moves-in-to-raise-money-for-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/pastor-opens-homeless-shelter-and-moves-in-to-raise-money-for-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Pastor Opens Homeless Shelter And Moves In To Raise Money For Community"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/p>\n

Pastor Heather Boone led services at a small church in Monroe, Michigan for several years before she and her husband decided to start their own church, Oaks of Righteousness.<\/span><\/p>\n

When they went to see the building, which was being used as a warming shelter at the time, Boone spotted a homeless man sleeping outside the doors. She immediately felt sad that she would be taking away the only \u201chome\u201d this man had.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>
Photo: YouTube\/USA Today<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She decided to keep the shelter open and even moved in so that she could raise money to eventually buy a bigger building.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oaks of Righteousness purchased the former Salvation Army Church property. They reopened the Warming Shelter that had been housed and operated in the church basement. They then opened the OHOP Caf\u00e9, which feeds
lunch to over 250 individuals between May and September. Eventually, they expanded and became a year round homeless shelter.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>
Photo: YouTube\/USA Today<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not only is it a shelter, but it also serves as a food pantry, clothes closet, soup kitchen, free childcare center, free medical clinic, and a nonprofit grocery store.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to their website, their mission is to \u201cRestore, Rebuild and Repurpose \u2013 rebuild our community, restore families and repurpose individuals.\u201d Oaks Village serves as \u201ca one-stop-shop for physical, spiritual and emotional needs to be met for individuals and families.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>
Photo: YouTube\/USA Today<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThere is no one road to homelessness,\u201d Boone said<\/a>. \u201cThese are people just like you. We are all just a few paychecks away from being in this same predicament.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Boone\u2019s kindness and efforts for improving her community\u2019s access to shelter and food has won her the USA TODAY Best of Humankind Awards Person of the Year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to learn more about Oak\u2019s Village.<\/span><\/p>\n