I’ve been attending Lake Avenue Church from the time I was in high school, going back to the 80’s. Having recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, my husband Jim and I were married here in 1987. Our kids have been raised at Lake and we’ve enjoyed watching them grow in their faith over their years here. Our oldest, Megan, has just graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University and is getting married this summer. Our son Matt is just completing his sophomore year at Azusa Pacific University. It’s hard to imagine how quickly our family dynamics have changed as we’ve moved toward the proverbial empty nest. Through this transition, I found myself searching for a job but wanting to do something meaningful with the extra time I had. After praying for three years to know how God might use me, He answered when the Door of Hope ministry asked if I would be interested in helping with homeless families and children.
I have a social work degree so the Door of Hope seemed like a great option. I was very familiar with Door of Hope because Jim has been serving on the Board of Directors for the last ten years. We had also been volunteering with Lake Avenue’s “Community With a Cause” group, bringing meals to and working on maintenance projects for the Door of Hope.
I’ve been on staff at the Door of Hope for just over one year now. Looking back on this time, I recognize that it has been one of the most rewarding and the most challenging years of my life. The Door of Hope seeks to change the lives of those who have fallen into homelessness. What I’ve found in working with this ministry is that my life has also changed in significant and meaningful ways. As I’ve worked with this often hidden population of homeless families and children, I have often felt their brokenness, and have even been moved to the point of tears.
The Door of Hope was founded over 27 years ago by Lake Avenue members Steve and Iris Lazarian. The purpose of the ministry is to equip homeless families to rebuild their lives. This is done though a comprehensive holistic program providing homeless families with far more than just the basic essentials of housing and food but also providing a case manager who develops individualized plans for each family and helps the parents to find a job, pay off debt, save money, and move into permanent housing. We have life skills classes for the parents and a staff therapist on site that helps them with their emotional and psychological health. We also have a comprehensive after school program for the children living at the Door of Hope. Those who live locally and can continue to come back.
Currently, I am working as Children and Youth Coordinator at one of the Door of Hope facilities. The children I work with have been through severe circumstances. From physical, emotional, verbal and sexual abuse these children have experienced so much pain and brokenness. This has caused many of the children to be behind academically, socially, and behaviorally. We work to restore their hope, pointing them to Jesus as they deeply need to experience His restoration power in a personal way.
At the site where I work, we currently have twenty-seven children, ranging from infants to teenagers. God has given me so many opportunities to speak into these children’s lives and share Jesus’ love.
One kindergartener asked me who my boss was and I told her that God was my boss. The little girl replied, “God is my boss too. He helped me when I had a bad dream.” This girl was so innocent and it was refreshing to witness to her the hope that she could have in Jesus.
Just today I asked thirteen-year-old Amber how her day was. Amber had just gotten home from school and it had been a really bad day. She told me how she was bullied and she was sad all day and all alone with no one to talk to. I was able to encourage her and tell her that God loved her and she was beautiful. Amber’s face changed to a smile and her whole demeanor changed.
Each day at Door of Hope is full of surprises. Every day is different and comes with its own challenges. Once in a while, even the mothers need a shoulder to cry on. One mom who had not been very friendly, or even respectful, needed just that recently. I didn’t know what to do other than to just be there for her as she shared a glimpse into her life. Taking the time to provide a sympathetic ear brought an immediate change to the nature of our relationship. As a hurting single mom, she had developed a hard shell and really just needed someone that would listen to her and care for her and her children.
My job involves loving the families and children in the midst of various types of suffering. I’m blessed to be able to share with them the hope and love of Jesus. Prayer has also played an important role in my ministry at Door of Hope. As I pray with these women and their children, I so often see God’s love breaking through the hard places in their lives.
There is hope for these kids and I pray that they will have a chance to experience the love of Christ and the fullness that comes with knowing what His purpose is in their own lives and futures.
In just a couple of weeks, the Door of Hope is partnering with Lake Avenue Church to hold an event called “Drawn to Worship”, where we plan to share more about our ministry to homeless families. Door of Hope will also share additional details related to this new expansion. This event intends to bring churches together to worship in unity, as we recognize our need to worship and serve together. Drawn to Worship will be held at Lake Avenue Church on May 10 at 7:30 pm. To learn more about this event or Door of Hope please visit www.doorofhope.us. We would love to have your support, prayers and volunteer help.