For the past five months, we have been walking the road with Gordon, Jennifer, and their two children, our latest guest family at Victory Acres. There have been many ups and downs along the way. They tried unsuccessfully for nearly two months to find stable employment. We worked with them, giving them a hand up, taking care of the food, personal items, utilities, and other essentials while they were “getting things together.”

This past fall, I stood with them in court, testifying on their behalf, and rejoicing with them when they were allowed by the judge to have their children back home in “temporary placement.” Because of the positive steps that they have taken and the progress that they have made since then, they received the news today that their case has been dismissed.

There is much about their story that I will not share for their privacy’s sake. (We try to be careful with the details of the stories of those that we serve.) But I do want you to get the sense of how God is using the donations of people like you to make a difference for this family.

What would have happened if they would not have had a safe place to rebuild like Victory Acres? I saw  the answer all too often in the inner city. Families disintegrated. Single mothers spent thirty days in one shelter before transferring to yet another shelter. Often, Children who were removed and placed in an over-burdened foster care system and never made it “back home.” Thankfully, there we were able to provide this family with that safe place, a place to rebuild.

Today, Gordon is employed, they are paying their own utilities, and saving towards a “place of their own.”

What  is Victory Acres doing specifically?

We are providing housing. While the house that we have for them is safe and adequate, it is not elaborate by any means. Thanks to people who gave and others who helped, we are able to have this place of hospitality. Our plans include developing more housing options at Victory Acres as we have the resources. We are starting where we are and using what we have, but we plan to develop more quality, affordable housing options for Victory Acres as God provides the resources.

We are providing work. What we are doing right now cannot support employees. (We currently operate only with volunteers.) However, there is always plenty of work to do around a farm. When Gordon was still looking for work, he still kept busy. We provided a dignity-building, hand up rather than just a hand out.

We are providing support. There are countless hours involved in helping each family – providing transportation to court, work, and doctor appointments, working through difficult life issues, and counseling through crisis. It all takes time. We are thankful for those who are willing to share their time, talents, and resources to see these needs met. Our lives are all richer when we care to share them with others in need.

What can you do to help us?

• Share our story with others via social media.
• You help us get the word out. We are available to speak to your church, business or civic organization, but we need people like you to help us to make those connections.
• You can partner with us to help more families by volunteering. Contact us for details. (By the way, that doesn’t just mean pulling weeds or feeding chickens.)
• You can support by enjoying more of our delicious farm food. All of the proceeds of our farm store directly support our mission and vision.
• You can donate. You can send your  tax-deductible contribution to:Victory Acres, 5311 S 800 E, Upland, IN 46989, or you can donate online to the ministry of Victory Acres. Together, we can make an impact.

Housing, meaningful work, having a safe place to call home, having a community of people that care, that is what Victory Acres is becoming. While we have a long way to go, we are slowly building. Thank you for joining us on that journey.

From the farm,

Eric Himelick, Director

Victory Acres Farm, 5311 S 800 E, Upland, IN 46989

(765) 998-2590

director@victoryacres.org