greetings from all of us in the Good Works community of HOPE!
Fall has arrived in southeast Ohio, and with it, colder temperatures. The beauty of this time of year is stunning; the trees are changing color, and the air is crisp. We are so grateful for the ways the Good Works community of HOPE has been able to be agents of transformation into so many people’s lives, sharing love, giving hope, providing guidance, encouragement and practical help. Every day we support one another as we learn to love and serve others together.
LOVING STRANGERS
Each initiative Good Works engages in is designed to not just “provide a service” or “accomplish a task”, but to build trust and build a relationship. We desire to provide a safe community for people. When James showed up at the Timothy House, connection to community was not on his radar. He really struggled with his mental health. He had just lost his job and lost a significant long-term relationship. He was in his fifties and felt that he’d lost everything. Things seemed hopeless. Each Thursday evening, I joined him at the Timothy House. He would go out to the front porch and smoke with his back to everyone. This is where the approach used by Good Works can really shine. The TH is more like a family home than a shelter. It offers structure and relationship. Volunteers aren’t at the TH to “fix” people or just “keep them in line”. Volunteers are there to learn how to build relationships and express love through listening and kindness. Over time, we found discussions that were interesting to James, and he began to open up. When he would have a setback, we grieved with him. When he had a conflict, we helped him structure some resolution. He came to the TH with very negative feelings about Christians and the church, but when he moved into his new apartment, I believe he saw us as a faithful community that cares about people in the lowest times in their lives. We have maintained a positive relationship with him since he moved out, even inviting him to join us in celebrating my son’s wedding.
- Aaron Duncan. Aaron has served on staff for about 6 years primarily overseeing our IT and providing leadership to Friday Night Life.
The Good Works Timothy House has provided over 135,000 nights of food, shelter and care to thousands of unhoused adults and children for more than 16,000 consecutive nights since 1981. We give thanks for a community that supports the work we do, the work of loving our neighbors.
DAY IN THE LIFE
We desire to raise funds to cover as many “days” as possible in the Life of the Good Works Timothy House (TH) for 2026. We estimate we need $500.00 to cover the costs of each day to operate the TH. Would you like to participate? If so, mark your gift DITL. Last year, people contributed around $56,000.00 and helped us to fund 112 days. We hope to exceed that this year! These funds supply the resources to cover staff, utilities, insurance, maintenance and supplies. THANK YOU!
3 Elliott where we started in1981 Darlene and Keith around 1981
As many of you know, Good Works will celebrate a monumental birthday on January 1, 2026: #45. We opened our doors to welcome strangers on January 1,1981. I give thanks. WE give thanks, especially for God’s faithfulness and for all the people over all the years who have supported our vision, served on staff, and served as volunteers. Longevity does offer perspective. WE often see people when they are at their worst, going through a very difficult time. I feel so grateful to see so many people on the other side, years later, doing well, working in the community, and stable as they provide help to others.
IN THE NEWS
We have been enriched by many different individuals and groups volunteering through Saturday Service. We have been able to assist many different neighbors (mostly widows) with projects and gardens. Last summer, we re-launched Senior Friends, and we are now regularly visiting seniors at their homes several times a month. We are scheduling Saturday Service groups for 2026.
Loads of HOPE, our free laundromat, continues to serve adults and children twice a week. We feel so thankful for the new relationships we are forming there, and how trust is being built.
Because of the support we received, Good Works was able to provide 940 lunch meals (primarily to children in our Summer Discovery Club) during the 7 weeks of Summer 2025. Thank you!
This photo was taken on November 15 during our Community Development Day. This is some of what I shared: We want those we are learning to love to feel safe, BE respected, BE heard and feel understood. THIS is the environment of HOPE. Indeed, part of our mission is to believe in people even when they can’t believe in themselves, to HOPE for people even when they have little hope; to believe people back to life. The simple acts of love, together with one another brings life into people. I am grateful we get to do this together.
Neighboring 101 is a class we have been hosting to the broader Athens area once a week this Fall. We are meeting over lunch to discuss the book Making Room, Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition by Christine Pohl. The class has been a good experience for all of us to talk through the practical (and difficult) aspects of hospitality.
Friday Night Life is now held at The Plains UMC. Our numbers have significantly increased, and we are seeking both volunteers and sponsors to join us as we provide food and friendship to others.
SUMMERTIME at Good Works
Our teen agricultural internship. Photo in the middle: our Discovery Club Kids playing games. Photo at the bottom; our teen ag interns were teaching a lesson on growing food to the kids.
Photo at top: Neighbors Helping Neighbors finishing a ramp for one of our neighbors. Photo in the middle: One of our Work Retreats re-building a rotted deck for one of our Neighbors. Photo at bottom: Lunch time in the Good Works Hannah House.
SUMMER 2026
We are scheduling groups to join us during the 7 weeks of Summer Service 2026. If you know of a group of 15+ adults, teens or children interested in serving widows, widowers, and adults who have a disability, please contact us. We will launch another year of Discovery Club for Kids (K-6th grade) and another year of Good Works Gardens. For more information visit https://gwworkretreats.net/
STAFF PROFILE
Sophie Mather-Smith started her first Appalachian Immersion Internship in 2018 as part of her gap year after high school. She then returned for several additional internships (including Summer Service) before she joined the full-time staff in 2023. Sophie spent most of her growing up years in Athens. She is a graduate of Miami University. She met and later married Garrett Smith in 2023. Sophie now oversees Good Works Gardens, and spends her time with Loads of HOPE, Friday Night Life (primarily working with the kids), and helps us to oversee our Summer Discovery Club and our Teen Summer Internships.
Core values sustain every community
We developed structures years ago to guide and prioritize our mission: “Good Works exists to connect people from all walks of life with people who struggle with poverty, so that the kingdom of God can be experienced.” ONE of our Five Fours comes from Luke 4:14-21. (1) Relationship not program (2) Trust. How can we build trust with each person we serve? (3) Meeting a particular need: temporary shelter, food, vehicles and companionship are only a few examples. (4) Moving people from recipient to participant. Is there a way for those we serve to give back? We treasure the vision for mutuality and reciprocity. You can learn more about the “Five Fours” on our website.
IN CLOSING
I continue to reflect on 45 years. The ripple effects of Good Works over the years are difficult to measure, but significant. So many staff, volunteers and supporters have impacted (and been impacted by) thousands of people. I recently reconnected with a woman, now in her 30s whose daughter was participating in our FNL Kids Club. She had stayed with us, with her parents as a young child. Last year, Darlene and I were invited to and attended a wedding of a young woman who was a child when she stayed with her parents at the TH in the 1990s. At the wedding was a volunteer, a former OU student she met 20+ years ago. They have stayed in contact with each other. This month we joined two of our current staff at their wedding. For one, her parents met at GW in the 1990s. For the other, his dad has been on staff for several years. While Good Works has celebrated many weddings of staff over the years, this is a first, a beautiful first. This couple (Sydney and Luke) will be living in the GW Hannah House overseeing the community life there this year.
If you would like to participate in the mission and ministry of Good Works through giving,
