Jeni's Story
Two of my favorite quotes:
- Vision is the world’s most desperate need. There are no hopeless situations, only people who think hopelessly. Winfred Newmon
- Faithful servants never retire. You can retire from your career, but you will never retire from serving God. Rick Warren
God's word tells us that without vision the people perish. I believe this and for that reason I ask for fresh vision and hope each day from God.
The second quote has certainly proven to be true in my life. After a successful 23-year teaching career my plan after retirement was to travel with my precious sister, sip tea and eat fine food.
I retired in 2016 but previous to that in 2013 I was encouraged by a very dear friend to open a home for women graduating from a locally state ran drug rehabilitation center. After praying and knowing that this is what God was calling me to do, I formed a 501(C)3 and obtained the name Haven Homes. We welcomed our first ladies through our doors in December of 2013. In 2014 we opened our second home for these ladies. Since that time, we have had over 190 women come through our 6-month program (many of them staying up to a year). While at Haven we teach our Haven ladies how to live sober in the real world, who they are in Christ and basic life skills. We have an 85% success rate with our women. While with us these women are restored to their families and friends and become productive citizens working in their communities. Many of our ladies are high school dropouts because of their addiction. Today many of these ladies have pursued their college degrees. There are so many beautiful stories, too many to share. Someday I will write a book God willing!
In 2015 First Baptist Church offered me the opportunity to be the Ministry Leader for our Celebrate Recovery Program. It seemed reasonable to me, because it went hand in hand with what I was doing at Haven Homes. Today after COVID we are making our way back with approximately 150 people walking through our doors every Tuesday night.
In 2017 the men in Celebrate Recovery began talking to me about a Haven Home for men. I prayed and God answered, we purchased a family life center debt free from a local church in town and our first men walked through our doors in September of 2019. We can house up to 56 men in our Haven Homes for Men Center. These men come to us off the streets, out of jail and prison. Parents come to our door and drop off their grown sons they can no longer deal with because of their addiction issues. There is no charge to come into our program and we did this on purpose. So many people today do not have insurance and cannot afford the high cost of getting the help they need. Our program is a faith based, work therapy program.
We have found much favor in our local court system and within our community. A local family whose son passed away under unfortunate circumstances formed a fundraiser in honor of their son 6 years ago called Clay Eichler’s Golf and Guitars. They choose a non-profit each year to donate the funds they raise. This year Haven Homes was the recipient of this fundraiser and they awarded us a check for $170,000. The favor of God and the favor we have gained in our community is over whelming.
God will supply, all we have to do is be obedient. When I received that phone call in 2013, I had just recently gone through a divorce. I had no funds to support a non-profit, was in the middle of journeying with two of my sons through their own addiction. Today Haven Homes ministry has gone from $17,000 in assets in 2017 to $2.3 million today. Only God could have done this friend. Only God can bring healing to an alcoholic/addict.
Inside each of us is a story. A story that reveals the ups and downs of our journey through life and all the choices we make in between. Inside my story are many silent hero's, three amazing sons with stores of their own, 5 beautiful grand children with our little Willow joining us in September. Without my children, the silent hero’s and a God who has been more than faithful to me, my story would not be what it is today.
Today I get to serve some of the most talented, gifted people in the world who are writing their own incredible stories.
This is one thing I have learned along the way.
All we have to do to carry out a vision is to say yes to God.
All three of my sons have careers and are living independently of mom and dad. My oldest serves on the board for Haven Homes and has a thriving therapy practice with certifications in trauma and drug addiction. I would never say the journey has been easy but with God all things are possible!
I enjoyed a great teaching career. Today I do not see retirement in my future. The rewards of what I do every day are beyond rewarding, why would I want to quit?
My 20 years of growing up in the “Boro” laid a strong foundation for the life I live today. The teachers I was blessed to have, the spiritual growth I was allowed to experience, these memories I hold so close to my heart. Thank you to all who were apart of this foundation.
You may visit Haven Homes on our web page at: havenhomestexarkana.com
or our Facebook page: Haven Homes
With a grateful heart,
Jeni Eldridge
SHS Graduate
1970
