| In the early 1950’s,
many men came to East Texas in search of work on the railroads
or oilfields. Those who couldn’t get or keep work often
became homeless, sleeping and eating wherever they could. Several
local pastors saw the problem and understood that people who
are consumed with meeting the most basic human needs often cannot
help themselves out of their situation, let alone open themselves
to the healing power of God’s Word. Thanks
to the efforts of these clergymen, Hiway 80 Rescue Mission was
established in 1955 for the purpose of providing
food, shelter, and gospel services to homeless men in the East
Texas area. Hiway 80 Rescue Mission has been serving the East
Texas area for over 50 years.
In the 1990’s, Hiway
80 Rescue Mission began to see an alarming increase in the
number of homeless single women and women with children. The
mission offered food and clothing, but there was not a place
to shelter these women and children. The Board of Directors
of Highway 80 Rescue Mission began to pray and search for
property suitable for a women and children’s home. As
a result, Hope Haven Home for Women and Children was
established in 1998 to accommodate the increasing
population of homeless women and single mothers with children.
Hope Haven Home for Women and Children offers food, clothing,
shelter and gospel services. This Home is under the auspices
of Hiway 80 Rescue Mission.
In 2002 the ministry began
to see the need for programs that would confront individual
issues. Today we have our New Creation Discipleship/Recovery
program that provide long term solutions to long term
concerns.
To date, 15 people have graduated from the New Creation Discipleship/Recovery Program. Another graduation is scheduled for this summer.
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