Make a break from the past - Build a foundation for the future.

Drugs, prostitution, negative relationships, unemployment, children out of wedlock, and education issues. These have all been hurdles that we've watched young people face. Many come from broken homes and don't have the life skills to successfully navigate through adulthood. There's a hunger for healthy family and community that they never had.

The need is great for young people to make a break from the past and set a foundation for the future. It's essential that we provide healthy relationships and environments that can nurture life skills, and emotional and spiritual growth. Mentors and community members facilitate Bible studies on spiritual growth as well as practical applications. Life skill training includes finances, debt reduction and prevention, interviewing skills, household maintenance, formal and informal cooking lessons, communication, and conflict resolution. Sobriety, GED's, starting college, getting and holding employment, mending relationships with family, and attending local churches have been just a few of the results staff have witnessed during this last year. Forty residents, interns, and staff have lived in Source community houses in 2005 alone, and we've hosted more than 200+ since 1995.

Over 200 residents, staff and interns have lived in community houses since 1995.

New Joshua House Facility- great price, location, and size

The Joshua House across town was sold in the beginning of 2004 because of its location and size limitations, and the search began for a multi-family unit close to the Fallout. A distressed four-plex, located two blocks from the Fallout, went up for auction in the fall of 2004. We went into the auction with a predetermined bid and got the four-plex for $1,000 less. We have seen further confirmation as this last year we have seen donations of materials and labor including a new roof (materials & labor), siding installation, plumbing, framing, and electrical. Pray with us as we hope to pay off the $227,600 mortgage this year.

The Joshua House has provided a drastic contrast to Jason's past. Now he has a community of mentors and peers who encourage him towards positive changes and growth in his new faith. The Bible studies and mentors have allowed him to "investigate and learn about Christ for real life," he says. "My own pride and selfishness is constantly confronted."

Jason had many negative male role models growing up. The only connection he remembers with his stepfather was when he was confronted for doing something wrong. His relationships with Source mentors and older men at his local church have been not only healing, but have given him a new fathering model and outlook on his role in being part of his own three children's lives.

"Responsibility, raising family with legitimate income, sharing my love for Jesus with others, and being part of ministry to gang members and drug dealers will all be part of my future," says Jason.

Women's Community

Source has had a women's community home in the past, but does not currently have one designated only for women. This is still a desire of ours but is on hold for right now.

Source has a passion to offer environments of growth to "lambs" (individuals making first time commitments to follow Christ) and "prodigals" (individuals wanting to redeem their lives after they have had a season of consequences from poor choices). Our heart is to provide opportunity for "Lambs" and "prodigals" that are asking for an opportunity to make a break for the past and set a foundation for the future.

Source has served young men and women since 1995. Along with hosting Women's Community Houses, we have also served young women by having women live with staff, and finding a spiritual foster families with volunteers.

The current Joshua House facility, acquired in 2004, is a 4-plex and allows us to serve both men and women. However, our women's program is currently on hold due to staff, facility, and funding. Our hope is to secure a facility, create a team and resurrect another women's discipleship community in the future. This is part of our overall 50 bedrooms by 2011 vision.

From the Joshua House to a Real Family

Rich had first moved into the Joshua House at the end of the summer in 2002. Foster homes since birth, using drugs at the age of 10, dropping out of school, and prostitution were all a part of Rich's past. At the Joshua House he began to understand his new relationship with Jesus and for the first time had mentors in his life to encourage him with practical goals and teach life skills.

Jay and Georgia Simmering have two young boys. Jay met Rich while volunteering at the Fallout. Jay's heart really opened up after hearing his story and getting to know him during workdays. The Simmerings began to pray after hearing of Rich's need for a home upon leaving the Joshua House.

Rich grew a lot at the Joshua House and now there is no better environment than to be able to be a part of a healthy Christian family. In many ways he is experiencing family for the first time. He continues to meet with Peter, Source Director, weekly and loves to volunteer by helping cook for the Fallout community meals. In November 2003 he took his first GED test and will be going to college to become a chef.

Community Housing Collaboration

Pray for Rich and the Simmerings as they continue to do life together. Having a Christian family open up their home after a young person has been through a program like the Joshua House is an ideal situation. There are literally thousands of young people 15 to 25 years old that are where Rich was last year. Many of them need an environment and community to be able to overcome and there are very few programs like the Joshua House that exist.

Join Source in praying for and looking for partners who would like to be a part of providing Community Housing for those who are trying to make a break from the past and set a foundation for the future. After 10 years of providing housing, we see a need for partners because of 1) the growing number of young people needing opportunity, 2) the limitations of energy, staff, and resources of Source, and 3) the need for young people in transition to get connected with more members of the Body of Christ than just a few Source staff. Young people need more than a mentor; they also need a community.

"Source really gave me a platform to overcome."

Overcoming The Past: Breaking Generational Cycles Aaron moved into the Joshua House in April 2003 after it was recommended to him by a past resident while he was in treatment for the fifth time. He has one child out of state and was expecting another in May of 2003. "I was intimidated by religion, but Shawn (the Joshua House Manager) helped me see how the Bible was applicable to my life. It made sense to me for the first time." Shortly after arriving, he made a first time commitment to following God. He started to get connected with the larger community of Source staff and volunteers. "Source was the only people I knew that didn't use drugs." Aaron is now living on his own, staying drug-free, has a job, and attends a local church with his daughter, Trinity, and her mom, Annie. He is also planning a wedding with Annie. He is embracing his responsibility as a father and continues to grow in desiring to be a Godly man. Aaron was raised in a broken home, started drugs at an early age, no father figure, and little stability. He is excited to break the negative generational cycle for his daughter. "My daughter Trinity will have both her parents, stability, and learn about God."