THE HOMESTEAD

Earlier this week, Natalie, a graduate of Homestead, moved into our home, officially making us a “Homestead Plus” site. Homestead Plus are homes that are open to graduates wanting a next step or Homestead participants who have children.

We currently have five Homestead Plus homes , two currently house Homestead graduates.

I have known Natalie since 2017 when she first came through the Homestead program. Natalie came to Homestead from juvenile detention. She completed the program quickly, graduated, and returned to her home town. Within weeks, Natalie had relapsed and returned to her lifestyle of drugs and crime. Shortly after, Natalie was arrested and completed two and a half years at Topeka State Correctional Facility. I kept in touch with Natalie while there and visited her several times.

Natalie struggled while in prison and eventually was accepted into a trauma recovery program where she faced her demons and won. Natalie returned to Homestead changed and completed the program with determination.

My husband and I talked through all the possible concerns and made the decision to welcome Natalie into our home. Natalie is a bright, happy young woman. She works and has transportation and plans to attend college in the fall. She is helpful and appreciative and fits in well with us. We provide a bit more structure and accountability that Natalie desires before moving out on her own. Our commitment is for up to six months.

My Mom provides a second Homestead Plus site to Erica. My Mom, 90, lives alone. She has a huge basement with two bedrooms, a carpeted living room, and two store rooms. Erica, a graduate of Homestead, stepped into the House Manager position. She works at the Homestead every other week, 24/7. On her off weeks, she stays with my Mom rent free. She checks on her and does small tasks as needed to help Mom out. Mom feels safer when Erica is there.

We’ve had a number of single women, couples, and families become Homestead Plus sites. Women who have custody of their children can live in Homestead plus sites and participate fully in the program. Graduates can move one step closer to full independence, some taking extra time to save money, some wanting continued support and/or accountability. Whatever the reason, all Homestead Plus parties, receivers and givers are blessed. We are delighted to have Natalie with us.

Amy Schutter and the Dream Team

7/24/2021

Long before Homestead Ministries became a reality, a group of women prayed. They had heard about the atrocity of sex trafficking and their hearts felt a pull. So they prayed. Trafficking was so overwhelming. It was so hard to know how to help, where to start, what to do. So they prayed.

The team of women, dubbed “the Dream Team”, dared to ask God for a safe place in Manhattan for women ravaged by the sex industry to find healing and hope for a better life today and for all their tomorrows.

Amy Schutter, a member of the dream team, young wife and mother, coach, well loved and respected, shortly thereafter became very ill. Hospitalized with an infection, she then died. Her family and all who loved her were devasted. When they heard about the Dream Team and their hopes and prayers, they created a memorial fund in loving honor of Amy. These were the first funds raised for what would later become Homestead Ministries.

n older couple who had heard of the Dream Team and the fundraising, felt that same pull. So they also prayed. They prayed about donating the childhood home of the husband. Once donated, the Homestead Ministries was officially birthed.

The plaque pictured here hangs on the wall just inside the front door of the Homestead house. All who enter, all 65 women who have come through the doors and all the hundreds of volunteers, all pass by this plaque. Some know about Amy and the Dream Team and their prayers, some don’t. But all are blessed.

Amy didn’t live to see her dreams and prayers become a reality. But we can hope that she can look upon it and know that she made a difference and will continue to do so as long as Homestead Ministries remains open.

Emily Reddel and Olivia Meyer have been such a blessing to everyone at Homestead. Emily and Olivia interned this last semester. Both are delightful young women whose positive attitudes, warm smiles, and loving dispositions blessed all involved, Homesteaders and volunteers alike.

Both Emily and Olivia recently graduated college, Emily from K-State in Human Development and Family Studies, and Olivia from MCC, in counseling. While here, they organized the volunteer training event, assisted Deb, helped the House Managers, and most importantly, poured into the Ladies. Olivia co facilitated group and formed a life long friendship, beyond a mentoring role with one of the Homestead gals.

Emily is moving back to her home town, Omaha, where she will work with special needs children. Of her time at Homestead, Emily said, “What a great experience! I’m so thankful for all the wonderful people I’ve gotten to know and grow with and for everything I’ve learned.”

Olivia has been accepted into a graduate program in counseling at MidAmerica Nazarene University and plans to become a therapist. While at MCC, Olivia was awarded the Young Thunder Award for her work outside campus, including her work at Homestead.

We were all blessed beyond measure to have Emily and Olivia intern at Homestead and wish them all the best in their bright futures. (Post written by Diane Clark)

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