Homeless Women and Children's Center, A Need in Odessa
By: Stephanie Sobic
Updated: September 29, 2010
In a perfect world everyone would have a home. No one would have to be homeless. Unfortunately, that's not the world we live in today.
For this faith temple fellowship ministry in Odessa, it's not about a hand out; it's about a hand up. Right now they operate the Jesus house, which is a transition home for men. Now, the ministry is working on building a women's shelter because right now homeless women and children have no place to go.
"We all need a helping hand from time to time," says Josiah Wood who lives at the Jesus House.
Things weren't always so positive for Josiah. He hit rock bottom after abusing drugs and alcohol.
"I realized that I had let my entire life slip away, everything that I worked for was gone," explains Josiah, who came to the Jesus house for help.
After 3 months, his life has taken a turn for the better. He now has a steady job and a faith in god that's stronger than ever. We asked Pastor Donny Kyker why the Jesus House works.
"Jesus, that's the name of it. We can't do it without him. Without him [is] impossible, with [is] him possible," says Pastor Kyker.
According to the Pastor, the Jesus house isn't just a place to go to get a warm meal and a bed. It teaches men how to support themselves and get back on their own two feet. And, because of its success, the pastor is hoping to open a women's and children center.
"What we call invisible people. There are women and children on the streets, that some out there choose that lifestyle, but there's a lot of them out there that don't choose that," says Pastor.
And for them, there's no place for them to go.
"Their trying to get into these battered women's shelters and they can't take them in because the reason that their not battered," says Kyker.
The women's center will work the same as the Jesus House for men.
"Get them off the streets and out of the choices their making out of desperation," says Mariah Stittsworth with Wake up and Dream.
The goal of this center is not to carry these women but help them find their own feet.
"Life skills lessons. We'll teach them first to set goals and then take the steps to fulfill the goals," says Stittsworth.
The ministry is holding an event to bring awareness to the need for this women's and children center. That’s on October 4th at 2 in the afternoon at the Faith Temple Fellowship in Odessa.
