Good Works Timeline
*A photo appears below some years and
descriptions.
Keith has overseen all these changes
(instigating many of them.)
»
1981 – Keith
Wasserman remodeled his basement and opened it as a shelter for the homeless of
»
1982 – Board
of Directors formed.
»
1985 – Good Works
applied for and became an incorporated non-profit organization.
»
1985 -
Timothy House, the first property, a shelter for the homeless on
»
1989 - The
Lorene Project was established to provide Transitional Housing to families. The
property was later sold and the profits used to purchase the
»
1991 – Friday
Night Life started. It provides a community, sit-down, family-style supper for
the homeless, recovering homeless, and other struggling with poverty. Designed
to be a safe context, people of various socioeconomic groups share a meal and
fellowship.
»
1994 - Hannah
House (and the
»
1994 - Kid’s Club
at the Friday Night Suppers began. Summer Kid’s Club was added in 1997. Bible
lessons, crafts, and activities are all apart of this ministry.
»
1994 – The
Work Camp hosted its first group. A work team (also called a worship team) may
be a family, church youth group, college club or adult Sunday School class.
Last year 558 (2006) volunteer members participated in various Good Work
projects.
»
1995 -
Timothy House extension started (completed in ’96).
»
1999 – Good
Gifts, now located on the Luhrig property, started selling the hand-crafts of
third-world artisans. This non-profit business seeks to raise the income of the
people in developing countries. Good Gifts hires and trains individuals from
the
»
1999 -
Samaritan Projects is an outreach ministry to the disabled and elderly who are
no longer able to care for their property or have the resource to pay someone
to work for them. Projects vary from yard work for one season to fixing a leaky
roof.
»
2001 – Life
on Life Mentoring, a program comparable to Big Brothers/Sisters, was initiated.
This program ended in 2003.
»
2001 –
Country Bed and Breakfast opened on the Luhrig property. This room offers a beautiful
view, plenty of nature, and quiet a retreat.
»
2002 - Senior
Care places volunteers with local Seniors. These volunteers practice the
discipline of listening and the gift of presence (a ministry of simply being
with someone). Visits are made weekly or biweekly.
»
2004 - The
Transformation Station is based on a time-economy instead of money. People
struggling with poverty volunteer time helping out (like Samaritan Projects) in
exchange for goods (furniture, appliances, vehicles, bicycles and food).
»
2004 -
After-school Service Program for girls is an outreach to give teenage girls
social interaction with peers and mentors. Working with Samaritan Projects and
Senior Care, the program hopes to instill a value of service.
»
2005 - A
stage was constructed on Luhrig property. It is hoped the stage and
amphitheater will help enrich the community through the arts. The plan is to
offer diverse performances including music and theater. Low-income citizens
need constructive and healthy recreation to help establish health and well-being.
They will be encouraged to share and enjoy along with people from all walks of
life.
»
2005 - Good
Works Health Care Clinic and Outreach Program is designed to help those
struggling with rural poverty live healthier lifestyles. They provide care to
the residents at Timothy House, health care education at Friday Night Life, and
transportation to medical appointments for those two populations.
»
2006 - Good
Jobs partners with businesses in
_______________________________________________________________________
»
coming in the
summer 2007
- Teen Employment Readiness Program
-
The Stage Concert Series at the Amphitheater
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»
Future Plans
include:
-
- Second Timothy House (the house next door is
for sale) to be a family transition house (like Hannah House)
- Moving to Second Generation Leadership – a new
executive director would be hired and Keith would assume another role