(4-26-23) Hand-Up Village is a “nonprofit organization providing shelter for Mercer County residents who are homeless”. Village founder and Abounding Grace Minister Rick Brosher spoke at a recent Celina Kiwanis meeting.

Begun in 2015 with one or two cabins, Hand-Up Village initially encountered opposition due to misunderstandings about the homeless. There are many reasons for homelessness including bad luck, medical crises, bad choices, dysfunctional families, and addiction.

By providing temporary housing, the Village gives its clients an opportunity to make a fresh start to achieve the four goals of the Village: having a job, straightening out their financial baggage, saving enough to buy a car, being financially secure enough to have a place of their own. In addition to the four goals, Village rules require their clients to attend the church of their choice regularly.

First Financial Bank has partnered with Hand-Up Village to help every client set up a bank account. Clients are expected to put fifty percent of their pay into those accounts to help build financial security for a better future. For more information about Hand-Up Village, find them on Facebook or contact Rick Brosher at rickbro1@msn.com.

During the business portion of the meeting, members voted to give five $1,000 scholarships this year. They also voted to donate $100 to the Montgomery Field Legacy Construction Project. President Goodwin passed around a copy of the club’s revised bylaws, which had recently been approved by Kiwanis International. In May the members will sell tickets for their third annual chicken dinner.

For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Celina, like them on Facebook or find them at k16309.site.kiwanis.org.

Advertisement