Edmundite Missions holds blessing for renovated Center of Hope space

Edmundite Missions held a blessing for its newly renovated Center of Hope space on Griffin Avenue in Selma, now occupied by Catholic Social Ministries, HealthLink, and Doc on the Spot all under one roof on Wednesday, April 21.

The welcome was brought by Edmundite Missions president and CEO Chad McEachern, and the renovated Center space was blessed by Father Stephen Hornat, SSE (Society of St. Edmund) Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Selma and the Immaculate Conception Parish in Orrville.

The newly renovated and blessed space was formerly occupied by the Missions Senior Activity Program, which is now being held at the newly constructed Dr. Michael and Catherine Bullock Community Center on Broad Street, Selma.

McEachern said in 2010 a derelict grocery store at 1107 Griffin Ave. was transformed into the Edmundite Center of Hope. He said, “Since that time nearly 3 million meals have been served from the Bosco Nutrition Center and more than 10,000 households have come through the doors at Catholic Social Ministries for assistance.”

He said when the Center was built, the vision was to offer as many services as possible under one roof “easing the ever-present burden of transportation that is a daily struggle for our clients.”

With the transition of the senior activity program to the Dr. Michael and Catherine Bullock Community Center, McEachern said room was left for a new state-of-the-art space for HealthLink and Doc on the Spot, which provide health assistance to those in poverty who lack insurance.

He said, “We all know how crucial this work is in our communities with epidemic levels of diabetes, high blood pressure and life expectancies lower than in developing worlds.”

McEachern said in 2013 HealthLink partnered with the Missions to be closer to their clients. He said often HealthLink can provide long-term prescription assistance and works with Edmundite Catholic Social Ministries to fill the gap for a client while the process is worked out.

“Now, combining our efforts is even easier as both staffs are in the same beautiful space,” he said.

McEachern said in 2020 HealthLink was able to serve more than 1,500 clients providing lifesaving medical assistance. And, he said, in 2021 and in the new space, they are on track to exceed 2,000.

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“It feels me with such joy to know that clients can access service and see doctors in a state-of-the-art and dignified space,” he said.

McEachern said the renovation also allowed the Catholic Social Ministries Office to expand and incorporate best practice in case management and counseling. “We have quiet and completely confidential space in which to meet our clients, space to allow for virtual meetings that can connect those in need with vital resources and space to invite interns to learn from our wonderful social workers and begin to cultivate an even deeper compassion for those in poverty,” he said.

According to McEachern, Father Hornat was the program director at the Missions at the time the Center of Hope project was completed and was the project manager. He said Father Hornat was welcomed back to Selma last year as pastor of Queen of Peace in Selma and the Immaculate Conception Parish in Orrville.

McEachern welcomed everyone to the blessing on behalf of the Missions staff, board of directors, board of members and benefactors. He recognized Board Members Brother Peter Stanfield SSE and Aminha Marine Roussell, who were in attendance, along with Jeff Cothran, executive director of the United Way of Selma and Dallas County and Dr. Susan Raymond, vice president of Program Integration and Chief Innovation Officer.

According to Edmundite Missions, after the redesign, the Center of Hope now offers a full range of services for those in need under one roof. A client can access prescription and medical assistance, utility and housing assistance, workplace readiness and scholarship assistance, counseling, and nutrition assistance without leaving the Center of Hope.

Kathi Needham, director of HealthLink, said “On April 1st, 2004, when we were cobbling together funds, hat in hand asking for a little here and a little there, I would never have imagined we'd be serving our clients with such a remarkable gift as the medical offices the Fathers have provided for us.” She was unable to attend the blessing.

“It is so beautiful to have Father Steve (Hornat) here to bless this newly renovated space,” McEachern said. “When he worked inside the Missions, he was heavily involved in the initial construction of the Center of Hope, so it really has come full circle. We’re so thankful to continue to carry on the legacy of the Society of St. Edmund and to continue our ongoing transformation to meet the needs of the community as they have always done.”

Cothran, who has been director of the United Way in Selma for 28 years, said, “We’ve partnered with people throughout this community to improve the lives of the most needy. And the Fathers of St. Edmund have been one of our great partners.”

He said, “We’ve help fund the feeding at the Bosco soup kitchen. But they (the Missions) have also partnered to allow us this space here to be able to run the free clinic and our HealthLink partnership. It just goes to show that not one group has to carry the burden. And they are great team members in allowing others to come in and help and to be a part of what they are doing for the people in the community.”