Hospitality
Hospitality means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines. It is not to lead our neighbor into a corner where there are no alternatives left, but to open a wide spectrum of options for choice and commitment.
— Henri Nouwen, Reaching Out
More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress.
But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.
— Henri Nouwen, Gracias
The ministry of Good Works has been shaped by the paradigm of hospitality since our very beginning in 1981. From providing a safe, clean and stable home for people who experience homelessness in rural Ohio, to our newest initiative called Sign of HOPE, our community has developed a framework for WELCOME.
Here are a few of our current expressions of hospitality:
The Timothy House – a home for people without homes since 1984.
The Hannah House – a guest house for people visiting our ministry including our residential internships, Week of Service Volunteers and our dorm to house visiting Work Retreat Groups since 1994.
The Carter Cabin – since 1998, Good Works has provided a solitude retreat cabin designed to provide space to anyone seeking rest or time alone. Those using the Cabin may enjoy an afternoon, overnight or several days. There is no charge for using the cabin.
Country Bed and Breakfast – since 2001, Good Works has provided a “hotel like” accommodation to anyone visiting the Athens area looking for a B&B. Revenue from this small business assists with the costs of some of our utilities on the Good Works property.
Sign of HOPE – (2023) our newest initiative has been developed to provide temporary overnight accommodations to individuals or families in a housing crisis who have a physical disability and are unable to climb steps. This new facility has two bedrooms on the first floor both with exterior entrances. Each with a full bathroom. We have also developed a small laundromat with a play area for children to serve people who need laundry services and who also desire a connection with a community.
