News Harvest House “Makeover” Continues

New Onsite Coordinator Added 

The public is invited to an open house at the Harvest House Ministry

Center (HHMC) at 1215 C Avenue, Vinton, on Sunday, December 5, 2010from 1:00-4:00 pm.

HHMC is a faith-based outreach to individuals and families of Benton County with two distinct aspects. The ministry center, which opened in 2003, offers an emergency food bank and household items and has served nearly 1,000 families over the years at no charge.

In 2008 the ministry center expanded, adding the transitional house. This house was established for women and their pre-adolescent children affected by homelessness, sudden loss of income, and other difficult situations. It is a safe place for women to live temporarily, as they begin to restore their lives after a crisis. Visit www.hhmcvinton.org to check out other services.

Both the ministry center and the transitional house are funded and made possible through the financial and tangible donations from individuals, churches, organizations and businesses from Vinton and surrounding communities.

Director Victoria Fink stated, “Since the transitional home opened in 2008, we have assisted over 25 women and 14 children with temporary housing. In a short time it became apparent that an on-site staff person would be needed for the mission of HHMC to be accomplished.”

Fink continued, “I was wondering how I would find a mature, nurturing person to live in the program’s house, but also knowing they would have no salary. The position seemed impossible to fill.”

But what seemed impossible is just what happened. Through a mutual friend Fink was connected with just the right person.

In August of 2010, Joyce White became the first on-site coordinator to reside at the House. White was born in Minnesotaand lived in farming communities there and also in Iowa.

White stated, “From the time I was a little girl, I wanted to help others by being a teacher or school counselor. I didn’t see the realization of this come to pass until much later. I married young, had several children and a difficult marriage. However, my experiences have given me a real compassion for women struggling to get on their feet today.”

White gained much experience as the director of pregnancy resource centers in Minnesotaand Iowa, where she was trained as a peer counselor. Most recently she was a staff worker for the Cedar Rapids Salvation Army.

White explains, “I see my on-site coordinator position at HHMC as an amazing opportunity to share with women in a transitional season of their life. Although I work long days being available for residents at all hours, I don’t have to leave for work. It’s right here.”

White realized early that although there is a daily schedule for the residents to follow, she “trains as you go.” Issues that might ordinarily be taught in a classroom seem to arise naturally due to community living. These would include self-discipline, child-rearing, respecting others and self, etc.

White has also been active in the “makeover” of the House as she selected new kitchen vinyl, refurbished hardwood floors and painted most of the downstairs walls. The four upstairs bedrooms also have been creatively decorated and furnished. This fall four new windows were installed on the lower level of the house with four more remaining to be replaced.

According to Fink, “Plans for the upcoming year include painting the exterior siding, adding new gutters, and replacing the final four windows. The back steps need to be repaired, as well as a handrail put on the front porch that leads to the food pantry. These goals will be met, as funds allow.

Fink continues, “As with any home, there is always ongoing maintenance. However, most of the work has been accomplished by donated materials and volunteered time -- it has truly been a community-funded project. Many individuals and groups have been part of this renovation process.”

The two primary goals of the transitional house are to assist residential participants with securing permanent housing and moving towards self-sufficiency while expanding their support system. The staff also networks with other area organizations and human service agencies to benefit those in need.

HHMC is funded by private donations, operating under the 501c (3) non-profit status of the VintonFoursquareChurch, DBA Harvest Christian Fellowship. All contributions are tax deductible. For more information please contact Victoria Fink by phone at 721-1664 or email Victoria@hhmcvinton.org.