greetings from all of us in the Good Works community!
I SEE YOU. This short phrase is powerful when spoken (or acted out) in sincerity with someone who does not think others see them or recognize their situation or suffering. We are making an intentional and respectful effort to see people, affirm them, acknowledge and encourage them in all of the contexts of Good Works.
OUR SUMMER has been amazing! The Kids Discovery Club and Summer Lunch have gone well and the kids (K-6th grade) had a lot of fun! We brought Discovery Club and Summer Lunch to the GW property this year for the first time, and were here every day (M-TH). We are grateful to extend our vision to connect people together every day through a common meal! Many of the adults we are learning to love (and learning from) lead very isolated lives. For some, Good Works Friday Night Life, Summer Lunch, Loads of HOPE, Neighbors Helping Neighbors and Senior Friends has become a significant place of connection, conversation, and HOPE.
Good Works hosted several week-long Work Retreats in June and July.
Good Works thrives and flourishes because so many people give to us and/or volunteer their time (and life) to serve others with us. Would you consider serving in some way? We have 30+ opportunities, from once a week, to once a month, to once a year! There are also “one-time” opportunities on the Volunteer Opportunities section of our website
“Liz has volunteered with the Good Works Timothy House for several years. She, and the other 15+ volunteers who come to the Timothy House during the week make our house feel like home, and our residents feel like family. Liz also has a superpower! As soon as our residents return for the day, she intuitively knows who needs a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, a bit of encouragement, or (with permission of the resident) some wise counsel. She naturally puts people at ease so they can freely share any struggles, frustrations, fears, pain, questions, or hopes. One of our residents had several teeth removed and was waiting for dentures. Self-conscious, embarrassed, annoyed, and discouraged, he would say “no one understands what this is like. This is just awful!” Now it happened that Liz was not able to put her lower denture in place one morning because of an injury. Her family encouraged her to just stay home and rest, but Liz was determined to make it. When she arrived that evening, Jason was one of the first residents she greeted that night. As he was lamenting not being able to eat since his surgery a few days before, she did not need to say a word, she simply pulled down her lower lip and there was an instant understanding and connection. I watched as Jason could barely contain his excitement. It was a relief to all of us to see him smile for the first time since his surgery. In that moment of humility, Liz not only lifted his spirit, but restored his dignity and renewed his hope. Thank you, Liz, for making our house a home for our neighbors in need, and a place of healing and hope.”
– Mike Shaub (Mike has served part-time with Good Works for several years. He also serves as the Pastor for a church near Athens).
IN THE NEWS
In June we welcomed two new full-time staff. Olivia Butz joined the community and will be serving with Senior Friends, Loads of HOPE and Friday Night Life. Olivia did her summer internship with Good Works in 2022 and later completed her master’s degree (MDiv) from Asbury Theological Seminary.
Ana Sophia Beardsley joined the staff after completing her social work internship with Good Works. She grew up in SE Ohio and comes to us from Asbury University.
Good Works Teen Agricultural Internship is 7 weeks. This year, the teen worked with 9 gardens in the county.
We are preparing an event/experience for Saturday February 28, 2026 we call DAY IN THE LIFE (DITL). Would you put this on your calendar, invite a few friends and come? The staff is developing a WALKexperience so that together we can better understand the challenges our unhoused neighbors and strangers face, and learn more about how to love and serve them. The event is geared to adults and children of all ages. The financial campaign for DITL is to raise as many “days” as possible in the life of the Timothy House (TH) for 2026. It starts September 1st and extends through December 31st. One day of funding for the TH requires $500.00. If you would like to participate and sponsor, please mark your gift DITL. Last year, DITL raised $58,000.00. We are hoping to exceed that goal this year.
Friday Night Life (now in year #33) continues to welcome adults and children from all walks of life. This summer, FNL feels like a picnic, a family reunion. It feels so good to create an environment where people feel heard, respected, and safe. As people invite us into their lives, we pray together and often laugh together. We are grateful for each sponsoring group who provides the food for FNL!
This summer, our Teen Agricultural internship focused on service and education. Teens visited the homes of our 9 neighbors where we established gardens and also cared for the big garden on the Good Work property. We are always inspired as we see people grow food and friendship! It has been a rich blessing to have these teens here this summer!
SATURDAY SERVICE FALL 2025
We are welcoming individuals and groups to join us for Saturday Service this fall starting September 13th. Contact us through email to schedule a Saturday date to come and serve!
“One of the most impactful relationships I’ve experienced through my time working at Good Works has been the one developed with a single mom and her four kids who stayed at the Timothy House. During their first stay, the kids struggled to adjust to our structure, and the “no food upstairs or you’ll be sharing your bed with roaches & ants” rule was often especially ignored. After over a month of working with them to try to fix things, we had to ask them to leave. I was not alone in being exhausted and discouraged during that final week. Several months later, they called for shelter again, this time with the oldest child staying elsewhere. To my surprise, them being here was an absolute blessing to everyone! They brought so much life into the house. We got to celebrate birthdays together, and the mom would read the youngest daughter bedtime stories in the living room, with many of us adults often gathering around to listen too. I got to help one of the children with his math homework and talk to him about the videos games he liked playing. When they moved out after about a month to a shared house in another county, we – staff, volunteers, and other residents – were sincerely sad. If you had told me during their first stay that I’d be sad to see them go, I wouldn’t have believed you, but God genuinely worked on these kids’ hearts and blessed their mama, and, through them, blessed us. When they came back for an exit interview, we got to tell them how much we miss them and hope that they’re able to come back to Friday Night Life to catch up and hang out. I’m grateful for this family and that we could be a part of their story. God taught me that second chances can be beautiful things, and that genuine relationships can be a blessing to harvest after a long season of emotional labor.”
– Sydney Teagarden (Sydney served with the Timothy House team for 2 years before moving to the Good Works property to oversee Community Life in the Hannah House).
IN CLOSING…
I want to share a snap-shot, a few short reflections from the staff in response to the question “Where are you finding JOY at Good Works”
When groups come together, being present for moments where they discover they are passionate about the same things
When people who say they are ‘task oriented’ stop and focus on building relationships
Visiting with adults and children who come to do their laundry at Loads of HOPE
Experiencing kid’s openness to give and receive love through Discovery Club
When someone who has been coming to one of our initiatives starts reciprocating by bringing food to share
HOPE. I answer the phone and listen to a lot of requests. Knowing that God CAN even when we can't.
When I get to see that transition from recipient to participant, where they can give back. I know what it is like to be in that transition period
When I gave an eviction, I felt safe because we had volunteers with me. They truly care. Our volunteers understand our mission.
Getting to sit on the porches
Being able enjoy the nature at/of our property
Seeing and experiencing God at work through all of the God-moments
When people bring donations to the TH and the joy on their faces
When people new to GW come on a NHN project and discover JOY as they serve our neighbors.
If you would like to participate in the mission and ministry of Good Works through giving,
