Open House Ministries partners to meet needs in Florida community By Carla Wyn, CBF Communications

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News Release

CONTACT:
Lance Wallace
770.220.1600

3.06.06

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Some people touched by Open House Ministries in Homestead, Fla., keep coming back – to serve.

On the verge of becoming homeless, a man came to Open House Ministries' emergency food bank, where his needs were met. Now employed, this man returns to volunteer in the food pantry. A woman's transforming experience at the medical clinic in Open House led her to become a volunteer. She is now a ministry assistant who helps with the summer camp program.

"She is somebody who received a little bit and has given so much more," said Open House Ministries Director Wanda Ashworth.

And that's the way Open House Ministries works. People are given a little love, with hope that they are touched by the transforming power of God's love, Ashworth said.

Started in 1992, Open House Ministries – a partnership between Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions and CBF of Florida – began through disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Andrew, which nearly destroyed the Homestead area. After several years of providing relief, workers realized the community need was not going away, Ashworth said.

More than 30 percent of this traditionally Hispanic farming community is below the national poverty level, which creates specific community needs. An Open House food bank provides emergency assistance, and a food co-op subsidizes food costs for residents who volunteer in the community. The money earned through a clothing closet has b

een used to hire three local employees.

Open House Ministries exemplifies partnership by housing four additional nonprofits that have their own niche in meeting community needs. A health center with six full-time medical professionals treats more than 2,000 uninsured patients, often seeing nearly 40 people a day. Two other organizations provide social services and encourage residents to act for community change. Youth for Christ provides spiritual encouragement through Bible studies, camps and a growing Thursday night worship program started this summer by Open House's two summer interns.

Interns are vital to the ministry's summer camp program, which provides a safe place for many children left unsupervised during summer months. In a largely diverse, highly segregated community, the camp allows children to cross racial and ethnic boundaries.

"The kids made friends with kids who didn't look like them. If they can live and love together, then we've made a difference in our community," said Ashworth, who joined Open House in 2004.

Summer intern Rosemary Stafford was so changed by her experience that she is bringing a group from her church, First Baptist Church of Auburn, Ala., to volunteer over spring break.

"[The Homestead] community struggles, but these people need love. This trip is an opportunity to see that," she said.

Volunteer groups who come to Open House work closely with the migrant community by spending a day working in the farming fields. After a day of picking squash to earn only a few dollars, volunteers begin to understand the financial difficulty farm workers have. At the day's end, volunteers give their wages to the farm workers they labored alongside.

"The farm workers should be valued and respected," Ashworth said. "Their hard work puts food on our tables. The field experience helps volunteers develop an understanding of the life of a farm worker. Understanding is the path to love."

For more on Open House Ministries, contact Ashworth at (305) 242-1418 or visit www.floridacbf.org/fl/ohm.htm.

CBF is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. The Fellowship's mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.

Open House Ministries intern Rosemary Stafford spent her summer with children at the ministry's summer camp program in Homestead, Fla.