HISTORY

Bless My Home Ministries began in 2017. It was created out of a partnership between the True Light Family Resource Center in Kansas City and Harvest Ridge Covenant Church. Women from both organizations meet regularly for “Sister to Sister” events, which are events designed to help establish and deepen friendships between women from different churches who have diverse life experiences. During one of these “Sister to Sister” gatherings, Brenda Miles met a lady who had recently moved into her own apartment after a time of homelessness. This woman was thrilled to have a roof over her head, but she had no furniture. Brenda and a group of volunteers from Harvest Ridge Covenant Church gathered furniture and home goods, and then they delivered them to their new friend.

After this delivery, Brenda felt the Lord calling her to help lead an effort to collect more furniture for others transitioning out of homelessness. She and Patricia Porche, the Day Shelter/Transitional Housing Manager from True Light, formed Bless My Home Ministries.

Since 2017, Bless My Home Ministries
has served more than 220 clients.

HOW BMHM WORKS

The typical process begins at True Light Family Resource Center. The staff at True Light identify and screen potential clients who may need furniture and household items. If the client qualifies, they complete a Needs List Inventory. Then, the client’s information and the Needs List is sent to the Bless My Home Team at Harvest Ridge.

BMHM clients also come from advocates at a local domestic violence shelter and Children’s Mercy Hospital. The Bless My Home Team at Harvest Ridge is not equipped to properly screen potential clients and provide all the holistic help that may be needed, thus we only work with individuals from partner organization or who have been referred from social workers. Bless My Home provides one piece in a much bigger work of healing and hope.

Once a Client Needs List is received from a trusted source, the BMHM team begins matching current items their inventory with the needs of the client. When BMHM does not have a particular item in storage, the team goes to work praying, posting requests on Facebook and shopping at places like Blessings Abound and The Dollar Store. Fulfilling a Needs List can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months.

When all the items on the list are obtained, a delivery is scheduled. Our volunteers load a trailer, carry the items, assemble the furniture, and pray with the client.