Questions? Call (715) 552-5566 | Bargain Center (715) 839-9498 | Building Hope (715) 838-2084

Our History

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.
  • Gary Steward appointed as Executive Director.

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 construction 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

  • HGM receives membership into the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
  • 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.
  • Hope Gospel Mission hosts it first ever Christmas Evening meal for the public.

2007

  • A community wide "festive" 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 started a 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.

2008

  • New dining room area was completed thanks to a donation from the Iwakiri family. Dedication was held in June.
  • Ribbon cutting for the remodeled Men's shelter was held June 26, 2008.
  • At the AGRM's national convention, Hope Gospel Mission was recognized as a Certified Mission, representing high levels of financial accountability and integrity.