Like many in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, Joseph was about one to two paychecks away from homeless. He lost his job when the business he’d hoped to retire from was bought out by another company in which they brought in their own people.

No stranger to hard work, he worked since he was 17. Prior to that he was active in Boy Scouts, and he played football in high school. “I was good!” he says of his football career which included a place on an all-city team his junior year. His work history proves he’s a hard working man who has held a few long-term positions for more than forty years. Now, just a few years from retirement, he’s looking for work again, hoping to find something to see him through until he can get Social Security.

His year-long stay at Cherry Street is his second visit. “They helped me get a job when I was here a few years ago,” he says with thankfulness for the help he received. Tough times have indeed brought back a lot of anxiety for Joseph. He has a depressed immune system and is having some anxiety about COVID-19.

He’s also suffered a number of personal losses through the years as numerous family members have died including a step-son he helped raise.  Joseph is really a man all alone. “Heartbreaking,” he says of those losses. With no family in the area, Cherry Street provides important support when there’s nobody else to turn to.

“To donors, I’d say, please give. Cherry has helped me. If I had money, I’d give.” Hopefully he can act on that once he gets a job and his own place again.  If you would like to help someone like Joseph, who is hungry for caring people, you can do so by donating today.

This comes at a time when significant building repairs, updates, and expanding programs are needed in order to continue serving these hungry souls every day. Hurting men and women from across Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan are looking for a heart like yours to help meet physical needs, but more than that—to help address their hunger for hope, hunger for change, and hunger for the opportunity to turn their lives around! The projects we are focused on in Phase II are:

• An Elevator- more of the building could be put to use if it were accessible to those with physical limitations.
• Energy efficient windows- the current windows are drafty, single pane plastic and aluminum units. Many are ill fitting, impossible to open or close completely, and offer little protection from drafts . Most are frosted opaque, offering limited natural light.
• Expanded programming- more programming and access to services for our residential guests and community members like work force development, mentoring, and life transformations.

We have already raised over $8 million of our $10 million goal to expand programming, build new spaces and improve the Life Revitalization Center. Please help us reach this next goal. Feel free to contact us with your questions about our capital improvements and goals.

In December, Cherry Street’s long time employee, Brenda Torres retired. Brenda has been a part of Cherry Street since June of 1997, through 4 CEOs, buildings bought and sold, but always the mission of the ministry at the heart of everything she did.

As a staff member, Brenda has always been highly esteemed. She has been awarded Cherry Street’s version of employee of the year called The Animal Award. Brenda was also given an award for being a Wall Builder based on the scripture from Nehemiah 4:6.

Brenda has filled many roles as the needs of the ministry has changed. Most recently she was on the volunteer team, shepherding many people. Brenda always spoke with guests and was an encouragement to all.

Brenda has been a great asset to Cherry Street for all of us for many years. As she has cared for the army of volunteers that come through our doors and has connected them to just the right serving area, she has made the Good News of the gospel evident to them all. Her steadfast loyalty to the mission of serving ALL people has been a guiding light for many of us that have worked beside her. She will be greatly missed and yet we celebrate her as she moves to a new stage in her incredible life. – Ann Ebbert, President

Brenda is a prayer warrior. Regardless if you’re family, a friend or a complete stranger, Brenda will stop whatever she’s doing to pray with you.

Some of our volunteers that have gone through some hardships knew they had Brenda to turn to for prayer and wisdom. I’ve seen her be a witness and a friend to many. She truly brought a light to Cherry Street where people needed to see Jesus. I’m glad to have Brenda as a friend. – Susan Graalman, Volunteer Recruitment Manager

Brenda truly embodies what Cherry Street was founded on: a love of God, that is manifested in the way we care for the least in our society. Simply put, she is just a caring, loving woman who serves God, loves people, and has always been supportive. Cherry Street will not be the same without her. – Jim Stansbury, long time volunteer

No one preached a sermon, no one prayed for the sick, and no one prayed for salvation – at the same time ALL that happened because God’s love was loud! Through a smile, and the phrase “pick a coat.”

The winter gear give away was made possible through donations from the public. In one day, Cherry Street handed out over 200 coats and other winter gear. Another 90 coats have been handed out thereafter.

Sound panels have been installed in the Mac Street Café. Thus far they have made an enormous difference in the sound reverberation in the Café. This project will definitely bring redemption to the Café space and as a result to the lives of our guests as they utilize the Café.

The showers in the men’s building have been refreshed. The walls used to just be block walls, which were covered with “FRP” board because it is easier to clean and is 100% mold resistant. We also repaired the exhaust system for the bathroom, a dorm, and basement as a part of this project.