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HGM was founded in December of 1998 under the direction of founder and current board president Mark Donnelly. At that time Mark had become quite concerned about the growing, but �invisible,� population of homeless men and women in the Eau Claire area. It was apparent that there was a great need to serve these lost ones with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
HGM has seen hundreds of homeless people come through its doors since 1999. The following is a condensed timeline of the growth and development of HGM over the last five years:
1999
- Men's Shelter purchased at 8 South Farwell Street; renovation of building commences immediately.
- HGM offers emergency shelter to 3-5 men per night in hotel rooms until shelter building opens.
2000
2001
- HGM launches the Life Skills Program in an effort to help equip residents with resources to get out of poverty.
2002
- Attempt at Wisconsin Street women's shelter fails after being voted down by Eau Claire City Council.
- HGM backs out of negotiations for proposed downtown bargain center after lease structure changes.
- HGM offers emergency shelter to 1-3 women per night in hotel rooms until shelter building opens.
2003
- HGM purchases 2511 Moholt Drive property/facility in April through a private loan. The six-acre property offers a 52,000 square foot former grocery store and an attached former gas station. Property will be used for Women's Shelter, Bargain Center, Auto Sales, and Education Center.
- In August, the City Zoning and Planning Commission approves a 12-bed Ruth House proposal.
- HGM Auto Sales opens in October.
- HGM Bargain Center opens in November. Ribbon Cutting ceremony occurred on December 4, 2003.
2004
- HGM Ruth House Project: Haven from a Storm Campaign kicks off. Construction begins.
- HGM Education Center constructions begins as funding campaign ends successfully.
2005
- $330,000 goal for "Project: Haven from the Storm" is successfully reached.
- HGM becomes recipient of $275,000 Affordable Housing Program Grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, a private corporation. The largest gift in HGM history, this grant is designated for the construction of the Ruth House, the Education Center, and the upgrade of the Men's Shelter facilities.
- HGM Education Center opens in October. The Education Program is offered in partnership with Literacy Volunteers-Chippewa Valley, who staff the facility during a one-year pilot project.
- HGM Ruth House opens and hosts it Grand Opening on November 30th! Ruth House is the first shelter for single women in Western Wisconsin.
2006
� Major remodeling and renovation project begins at the Men's Shelter.
� Construction project is completed in August. A new parking lot, the addition of the Fireside room, a new recreation room, a remodeled pantry, a new bathroom, and a new office area are added to the Men�s Shelter facility.
� Building Hope Materials Re-Use Center opened. This is the first of its kind in Western Wisconsin. Read More >>>>
� Hope Gospel Mission hosts it first ever Christmas Evening meal for the public.
2007
� A community wide feastive meal was held to celebrate Easter.
� We hosted the Christian News Ministry Expo 2007 at the Bargain Center. There were approximately 60 booths from all over the state of Wisconsin, 7 musical groups and several mini seminars.
� We expanded our work therapy program to include an internship program. We also computer based system.
� Building Hope had a 14,000 square foot expansion to accommodate retail display areas and a dedicated area for training in the intern program.
� We held our annual picnic for volunteers and staff at Mt Simon park where we introduced the staff to the Hope Floats a pontoon which was donated to the Mission for staff and residents to use.
� We began a major kitchen remodeling project at the Men's Shelter.
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To help the poor and the homeless with the necessary support and resources whereby if willing, they can become productive members of society.