HARVIELL — When Mount Calvary Powerhouse Church Bishop Ron Webb decided to direct energy from his ministry to assist people battling substance use disorders, he didn’t anticipate how much need currently exists for youth. He has since learned more about it, and he decided to take action by building the “Next Chapter.”
In a cooperative effort with the Family Counseling Center (FCC), Webb and his ministry have made use of a HUD program with federal funding to help vulnerable youth by providing living quarters while they prepare for independence.
“There is such a need with the youth in this area, and we’re the first program of this kind here,” Webb remarked. “So many youth suffer from being in homes where their parents are battling addiction, and sometimes those youth battle addictions of their own. The youth of the home suffer the most.”
Webb said he has recognized the need on multiple levels.
“I want to make clear that this program is a hand up and not a hand out,” Webb remarked. “The intention behind this is philosophy that if you build up the youth, then you won’t have to repair the adult.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday afternoon to commemorate the opening of the Next Chapter building and tours were available after the ceremony.
“This location is only one of 17 in the nation that got approved for something like this,” explained Anthony Smith, housing specialist with FCC. “Within this program we will work closely with other agencies like the child welfare office in order to measure outcomes.”
The specific program providing the funds is named the Youth Homeless Demonstration Program; and is designed specifically to meet emerging needs that challenge young adults who might struggle with addiction or other issues. The program is primarily focused on young adults, with the ages ranging from 17-24.
The total cost of the building is estimated at $1.5 million due to the size of the property — 10 acres — and the building itself.
“We’re finding that there are numerous youth in this area that have no home,” Webb stated. “Being homeless can put them into a mindset of survival that gets combined with the need to support their addiction. It’s a terrible combination.”
The building is a 25-bed facility, and the primary focus behind the program is helping youth transition into functional adults by teaching them how to handle their day-to-day obligations. Through partnership with FCC, the program helps ensure that the youth have case workers, access to counseling, groups, transportation for employment, and more.
“This isn’t a flop-house,” Webb noted. “This isn’t just three hots and a cot. It’s so much more than that.”
During a ceremony prior to the ribbon-cutting, Webb spoke to the assembled crowd concerning what the biblical figure King David was able to do with a group of men who felt defeated.
“David was able to build up the broken men into mighty men of God,” Webb proclaimed. “We want the broken. We want the hurting. Because when the youth leave this program, they will have the world in their hand.”
Randy Ray, CEO of FCC spoke to the crowd and said that FCC “loves to collaborate with different programs for the purpose of helping people.”
Sen. Jason Bean informed the crowd he was delighted to be present for the ceremony, and said he anticipates great things to come from the program.
“Our ministry has been focused on reaching out and helping those in need for a while,” Webb noted. “We have invested in drug rehabilitation programs and things of that nature. But we can’t forget the youth. We can’t leave them behind.”