Capturing promise
By Ruth Schenk | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Portland Promise Center comes alive when school ends and more than 50 children arrive for check-in. They know the drill and the rules.For most, walking into the center is the best part of the day.
There, everyone knows their name, and there always is something to do and someone to care.
Some children head to the computer room for help with homework. Others make a beeline for a game of basketball in the gym or join Children and Youth
Coordinator Angel Gustavison in a game of kickball behind the center.
Portland Promise Center, a new partner of Southeast’s Local Missions Ministry, is a faith-based community development center in the heart of Louisville’s
Portland neighborhood. But to hundreds of families, it is even more.
It is where children learn, go to meet with friends and mentors and learn about Jesus.
Larry Stoess, the executive director of Portland Promise Center, envisions neighborhood transformation.
“We believe transformation happens as individuals and families anchor their lives on a foundation of faith and build their future filled with hope,” Stoess said.
“Our mission is to love God and love our neighbors by working side by side to revitalize Portland.”
The Portland Promise Center meets Southeast's goal of neighborhood transformation through service to the community, said Debbie Ward, director of Local
Missions for Southeast.
When Larry and his wife, Kathy, packed up their home in Pewee Valley and moved to Portland in 1999, their neighbors in the Oldham County community weren’t
sure what to think. Neither did their new neighbors in Portland. They were more used to people moving out than moving in.
Now, Larry and Kathy say it is one of the best decisions they ever made for living, ministry and raising their family.
“It has broadened our understanding of the kingdom of God, stretched us socially, politically and theologically,” Larry said. “And all those things are formed by
what you see out the front door.”
Typical days at Portland Promise Center are packed. More than 100 children are enrolled in the after-school program. They come in and register with Linda
Lewis at the front desk, then go to work on homework, shoot baskets in the gym, talk with interns and staff members.
Gustavison first came to Portland Promise Center as a volunteer while a senior at Shawnee High School.
“Initially, I fell in love with the kids,” she said. “They are like kids anywhere. They want to be loved, and they want someone in their life that will love and support
them and believe in them. We provide that place for them to come.”
After finishing a degree at Asbury Theological Seminary and a master’s degree in Christian Education and going on a mission trip to Kenya, she knew the
Portland Promise Center was the place God wanted her to work.
Gustavison said “her” kids in Portland don’t see themselves as needy. “They want to do more mission work,” she said “They want to serve and help others.
They have a lot to offer.”
In addition to after-school programs, the Portland Promise Center has offerings for adults.
More than 60 adults come to the Celebrate Recovery program operated by the Portland Promise Center.
And, on Sundays, the center opens its doors to the community for a worship service, something it has done since 2001.
“Several of our folks struggled with addictions,” Larry said. “We have seen God use the church to help them find hope and healing. And the church is a home
for many of our families.”
Good things are happening.
Five families from Portland Promise Center now own homes through Habitat for Humanity. Children in the after-school program are graduating from high
school and going on to college.
Southeast member Brad Phillips volunteers at Portland Promise Center.
“It took me a while to see the rose bushes around Portland,” he said. “God is doing something there. Teenagers at the center know Christ. They don’t know
what the future holds, but they are strong believers meeting life challenges.”
Phillips believes mentoring is the key to supporting children in the program.
“My prayer is that the Lord will continue to use that building, volunteers and mentors,” he said. “Mentoring is the single greatest gift a volunteer could give. If
people from Southeast can model good behavior, be consistent, it would be such a witness to these kids. There are a lot of hidden jewels among the kids.”
Phillips said he is amazed by children like Jose, who tells others at the center, “You don’t need drugs. You don’t need tobacco. You don’t need money. You just
need to get to Jesus.”
For more information about Portland Promise Center, visit www.portlandpromise.org. To volunteer, call Bonnie at (502) 253-8153 or email bepperson@secc.org.