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A Bridge To Independence

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By MAUREA SLEESMAN Hernando Today correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 26, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - An underused church will get re-invented tomorrow when it will be dedicated as Covenant House Bridge to Independence, a Christ-centered re-entry and recovery ministry and residency program for men wanting to break the chains of addiction, crime and incarceration.

At 3 p.m. tomorrow at First Baptist Church of Brooksville, the dedication ceremonies will feature keynote speaker Bill Powlowski, founder of Operation Clean Start in Ocala.

First Baptist Church of Brooksville will be the host facility for its sister church New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Fredd Hinson, of New Hope, wanted First Baptist Church of Brooksville to be the site for the dedication tomorrow because it is closer to Covenant House and has ample room for the ceremonies and people to attend.

"The dedication tomorrow will focus on how the idea became the reality, and what Covenant House can mean to its residents, mentors, staff, support groups, donors and ultimately our community as lives are transformed through a Christ-centered recovery," Hinson said.

"We re off to a wonderful start," Hinson said," Although there are still many needs in the ministry."

For donations and support, he listed some "Big Wishes," including employers to give men who have been trained in the Jobs for Life Institute an opportunity to get back in the work force; a van for transportation for men to get back and forth to work and their appointments; volunteers to work with various projects and classes; computers; new or used lawn equipment and mowers; canned goods; cleaning equipment; linens; and men's toiletries. "Of course monetary donations are needed," Hinson said. "Anything would be greatly appreciated."

Tomorrow's dedication will also introduce some of the Covenant House staff, founders, donors and some poignant testimonials about how Christ can break the bonds of addiction and turn lives around.

The service tomorrow will open with praise and worship music from New Hope as well as whole congregational singing. Refreshments will be served later at the facility tour.

A video will illustrate the work done in preparation for the ministry to open and the arrival of the selectively screened men to Covenant House with some before-and-after footage. Volunteer work that began in November includes massive cleaning, painting and furnishing an entry dorm, where residents stay until completion of the first of three program phases. Later, they will progress to the other two phases, moving to smaller bedrooms for two to four men.

At 5 p.m. tomorrow, dedication attendees will tour Covenant House. In addition to the living quarters, visitors can view the areas where personal coaching of life skills, faith-based counseling, educational and financial management is provided. The specific address of the facility is not being published at this time due to the nature of the program and privacy of the residents.

All men in Covenant House will acquire at least three marketable employment skills with an emphasis in customer service as taught and promoted through planned entrepreneurial ventures. These include a custom window treatments and blinds business. Hinson and his wife previously owned a window treatment, upholstery and blinds business and have donated their equipment to be used to train and generate income for the men in the ministry, in "The Recovery Room," meaning recovery of upholstered items. The area should be ready for interested area residents to order custom blinds by late September.

Other ventures will include selling the "area's best barbecue ribs, chicken and fresh pulled pork, with all the fixin's," Hinson said. The men have a huge smoker and barbecue to be featured outside the Covenant House as part of the employment skills training program.

Covenant House is under the auspices of Hopeville Community Development Corp., partnering with local churches, Hernando and Pasco County agencies and private donations. Resident candidates are screened by multi-agency corrections staff.

The faith-based Phase One independent life skills training program takes from four to six months, coaching residents on such matters as budgeting for independent living and finances, personal health, problem/conflict resolutions, medical and legal services and referrals, and education. Cooperative partners such as Hernando County Department of Corrections, Pasco-Hernando Community College, Career Central and other community experts provide faith-based instruction.

Phase Two focuses on 12-18 months of housing, with continued financial and mentoring support, using the Casey Life Assessment model to individualize client needs and progress.

Phase Three is for follow-up and continued evaluation after graduation. It is hoped that some of the graduates will be invited to be mentors, coaches and role models.

Hinson added, This is how we make our community a better place. It's done one life at a time. We invite you to be a part. Covenant House is much more than an extension of the Family of New Hope. It is a manifestation of the love of Christ being extended to those in need in our community. Come catch the excitement tomorrow."
Covenant House Bridge to Independence

Dedication ceremony: 3 p.m. tomorrow, First Baptist Church of Brooksville

(420 Howell Avenue)

Tour of residency: 5 p.m. tomorrow

(Departs from First Baptist of Brooksville)

For information on how to contribute to the ministry, contact CHBTI through Hopeville's Web site or New Hope Church: Covenant House Bridge to Independence - CHBTI - Brooksville. Phone: 727-856- 8814 or toll-free at 888- 582- 4800. Web site: www.hopevillec

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