Reaching Out Ministries needs volunteers to work on new home

MANSFIELD - Angie Henke says the future of the Mansfield-based mission shelter's building at 70 Hedges St., depends on needed volunteers to do electrical, plumbing and carpentry work.

Currently located at 30 S. Mulberry St., Reaching Out Ministries' lease is up on Sept. 25 and Henke, the executive director, said she sought a new site because the agency needed more room and the ability to offer washer and dryer services and a shower, which could not be offered at its current location.

Henke said she doesn't need fancy drywall just paint over the concrete block walls on the Hedges Street site.

The furnace needs repaired. Henke would like to fix the broken air conditioner too, so the site can serve as a heating center and a cooling center too.

The nonprofit agency has no funding source but relies on donations and volunteers.

"We did not have to take a personal loan," Henke of Ontario said outside the new facility, which will require some repairs before opening day.

Henke, an Ontario resident, said volunteers are needed to help install a shower and washer and dryer. Painters and contractors will be needed for plumbing and electrical upgrades and more. The new mission shelter is 1,728 square feet.

She could also use some help cutting back bushes and weeds outside the new site's parking lot, asphalt which also needs repaired by the street as the parking lot has a sharp drop-off.

Henke Thursday spoke with an official from the Mansfield City Building and Codes, who visited her site to brief her on required steps and permits.

"It's my passion," said Henke, who founded Reaching Out, a non-profit registered with the State of Ohio. "We are the only mission shelter around for miles, maybe Columbus before you get to one," she said. 

"Having this for our area homeless is a blessing in many ways. Usually the only clothing they have, they wear, so to be able to come in, take a shower and wash clothes is a big deal," she said. "I pray others continue to reach out and help keep this ministry up and running."

The ministry, operated by volunteers who receive no pay, has helped a lot of people in need, she said. All funds go directly to those in need in the community.

Henke said she is privileged to work for God. "I was born very poor and I know, I've been there," she said. "I know what's it's like."

She initially started the ministry from her car in 2011, with members communicating via a Facebook group, before opening Reaching Out at 320 E. Fifth St.

Henke said the South Mulberry Street location will remain open until the new location is ready.

"I'm hoping to be open by Sept. 25," she said.

Henke said the diaper closet, food pantry and hygiene closet will continue. Free meals provided by area groups, businesses and churches will continue at the new location.

The Mulberry Street facility this past winter served as a warming center for people who needed to get off the streets.

She said just this past week she was able to get a man who is homeless his birth certificate. The process took awhile and three calls to Washington D.C. as he was born in Germany. That allowed him to get an ID and Social Security card. "He's got Medicaid now so he's seeing a doctor and getting medication for his Huntington's disease," she said.

Followers on Reaching Out's Facebook page are phenomenal and some recently helped a man from Wooster by providing him with a tent and some food, which he requested.

Henke said despite efforts by many, there are still homeless people living outside in the city and sleeping in their cars.

"We need this building," she said. 

City building and codes inspector Steve Risser, said, "I don't think you're going down a dead-end road," as he walked through the building, pointing out areas in need of upgrades.

For more information, contact Henke at 419-612-2217.

lwhitmir@nncogannett.com

419-521-7223

Twitter: @LWhitmir