Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
The Light House in Ashburn
To whom much is given, of him shall be much expected. [Luke 12:48]
Lighthouse: A structure usually with a tower to serve as an aid, warning the mariner of hazards, establishing his position, and guiding him to his destination. Among mariners there is still a natural preference for the reassurance of visual navigation, and lighted marks also have the advantages of simplicity, reliability, and low cost. In addition, they can be used by vessels with no special equipment on board, providing the ultimate backup against the failure of more sophisticated systems.
Good Shepherd Alliance’s (GSA) Center of Hope in Ashburn Village was designed for GSA by architect Clint Good, with construction expertise of Toll Brothers and oversight by HomeAid Northern Virginia. This facility now serves as a “community lighthouse” empowering our board and staff to initiate new thinking and training processes that equip needy people with the skills to develop self-sufficiency, resolve family life problems, work effectively with referral programs and successfully transition back into the mainstream workforce.
We consider the Center of Hope to be a lighthouse, meaning that it will reach out to the destitute but at the same time appeal to affluent families, both adults and their children, to participate in programs and services that assist those less fortunate with their most basic needs. The haves and have-nots are now drawn to our program and can help one another in an effort to foster hope and goodwill among our diverse and fast growing community.
Since the Good Shepherd Alliance (GSA) opened the Center of Hope in July 2008, local Churches have been lining up volunteering to host the very popular Tuesday Campfire and Friday Night Live events at the Hebron shelter for homeless women and children. On Tuesday and Friday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 PM Church families are visiting and sharing fellowship with our homeless guests. Church groups can entertain the children by providing crafts, games, music and a hot meal. These nights’ mothers and their children look forward to a home cooked dinner and don’t have to cook for themselves.
Campfire and Friday Night Live are a fantastic time to meet the guests at the shelter and you can also bring your own children to share in the fellowship. Our homeless guests cherish the time well spent with our gracious weekly hosts as it assists them in gaining self confidence to develop the necessary soft skills that will help them transition back into the community.
Please ask your peers and children to come out and participate in these very empowering, emotional and gratifying evening experiences. If any Church, civic group or individual would be interested in hosting an evening at the Hebron Shelter, please contact Director of Administration and Community Relations, Terri Lightle, @ 703-724-1555 at the Center of Hope in Ashburn Village to set up an appointment.
Sing to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [Eph 5:19-20]
You must be logged in to post a comment.