Neighbors of Hope closes Women's and Children's Ministry Center in Tecumseh

TECUMSEH — After nearly four years of providing services to women and children at its Tecumseh location, Adrian-based ministry Neighbors of Hope is ending the services in Tecumseh, officially shuttering the location as of Thursday, June 1.

The decision is part of an overall restructuring of the organization, a news release from Neighbors of Hope said.  

"This has been a very difficult and sorrowful decision for us to make. The board of directors of Neighbors of Hope takes their fiduciary responsibilities very seriously, especially when it comes to valuing our donors and how their contributions are best utilized to advance the mission of this organization," Pastor Steven Palmer, executive director for Neighbors of Hope, said in the release.  

Neighbors of Hope began its services to women and children who were experiencing homelessness in August 2019, just seven months before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“No one foresaw the pandemic coming and the economic impact it would have on this organization. And, unfortunately, the ongoing economic impact of the pandemic coupled with rising inflation has positioned us where we can no longer sustain the costs to operate this ministry,” Palmer said. 

Neighbors of Hope will continue to operate its other ministries and social enterprises to serve those in need in the community, Palmer said. 

The Women’s and Children Ministry Center was opened at the renovated building which previously housed the Herrick Manor nursing home on the campus of ProMedica Herrick Hospital in Tecumseh.

Previous report:Public checks out new Tecumseh homeless center

Through its Women’s Fresh Start program, Neighbors of Hope aided homeless women (and their children) by giving them up to six months of basic needs services including safe shelter, food, case management, and spiritual and personal care. 

The Fresh Start program also addressed the root causes of homelessness by offering women the hope of the Gospel and a pathway to sustainable employment and housing. The goal of the program, according to www.neighborsofhope.com, is to empower women so that they can take personal responsibility for their lives and become effective, competent members of the community. 

Neighbors of Hope, which began in Adrian as the Lenawee County Mission, has been committed for nearly 20 years to reaching out to the homeless and the hurting throughout the county. It operates a men’s transitional housing and ministry program, the Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry, a farm and recycling center to produce resources and provide job training, the Word Made Flesh radio ministry, and the Blessings & More Donation Center and Resale Store, which opened in a new location in May in downtown Adrian, 117 E. Maumee St., Suite 100. 

Palmer said Neighbors of Hope has been working with its current guests in Tecumseh with locating and securing alternative housing and services. 

“We are committed to doing all we can to help our guests find alternative housing and continue the progress they have made while enrolled in our program,” he said in the release. “We are truly grateful to the Tecumseh area churches, businesses and individuals who graciously welcomed us into this community. Thank you for all your prayers, care and support during these past four years.”

Neighbors of Hope is based at 227 Riverside Ave. in Adrian. It can be found online at www.neighborsofhope.com. Palmer can be contacted at 517-265-4019 or via email at noh@neighborsofhope.com.