Friends of the Homeless break ground on new shelter

Alarge crowd gathered at the Friends of the Homeless Shelter on East High Avenue in New Philadelphia on May 16. The occasion, many months in the making, was to break ground for a new shelter to be built on the site.

The new structure will be called Jack’s House of Hope, named in honor of shelter founder Jack Ream. Ream, in attendance to help wield a shovel at nearly 94, was honored by a roster of speakers attached to the project. The event was hosted by Matt Ritzert, master of ceremonies and a co-chair for the project committee. The theme of the day, in keeping with that of the shelter, was “Hope.”

“In I Corinthians, Paul writes ‘love never fails,’” Ritzert said. “Love and faith give us hope, and hope is what we are celebrating this evening.”

Ritzert then introduced Rev. Joe Svancara, who described the shelter’s origins and welcomed guests.

“Since the beginning we have helped thousands and thousands as they have struggled to rebuild their lives but also to discover the hope, dignity and opportunity which lies within them, allowing love and a helping hand to bring them out,” he said.

He spoke of the long search for a new shelter location, finally settling on a new building on the same site.

“This is the home given to us originally by God and the generosity of his kingdom. Why not remain here?” he said.

He referred to property owned by First Presbyterian Church, which donated the land behind its facility for the new shelter.

“Friends of the Homeless Shelter will now be known as Jack’s House of Hope,” Svancara said. “Hope is what this organization was originally built on, hope is what sustains it and hope will allow it to keep going into the future.”

Ream rose to speak to lengthy applause, the crowd rising to its feet. Ream talked of Jesus’ admonition to love the Lord with all your strength and ability and referred to the story of the good Samaritan aiding a stranger in need along the side of the road.

“I ask you all who have helped to support the shelter in some way to keep on pitching in and helping our neighbors. They need us now more than ever. Before God got my attention, I had the same opinion of homeless people that many of you may have, that they are lazy and can’t take care of the basics. That attitude is entirely wrong and is an attitude that has kept society from ever solving the problem of homelessness,” Ream said.

Calvin White, Friends of the Homeless executive director, along with many speakers, became overcome with emotion as he began at the podium.

“I want to share my own personal experience and the blessing it has become for me,” White said. “I was at a point in my life when I was pretty low. Through some twists and turns in my life, I found myself without a home. There was a position open at the shelter, and ever since that time, my life has turned around.”

He asked for Jack Ream to stand and said, “When I am out in the community talking about the shelter and the homeless and people want to know who these people are, I want to tell you that this man is who we are. His love and guidance has spread through all of us. I am a worrier, and there have been many times when Jack has listened to my worries a while with this smile, just like today. And he would say, ‘Don’t worry Calvin. God will take care of us.’ And now today look where we are and look where we are going to be.”

Joe Trepicone, architect for the project, outlined the new facility, which will enable Jack’s House of Hope to better care for its residents. Greg Kimble of the Floyd and Doris Kimble Foundation talked of the need to continue to support the shelter in effort and financially.

The new logo for the shelter was revealed based on a design by contestant winner Melody Sprowl of Indian Valley School District.

The new shelter will be attached to the old Friends of the Homeless facility, adding 14 rooms for men and 13 for women. It also will include offices, meeting rooms, a dining room, a kitchen, a chapel and a courtyard. Construction is expected to begin in the fall.