Real Men Cook and Church of the Good Shepherd to Serve Men at Door of Hope Rescue Mission on Father’s Day
The Men’s Club of the Church of the Good Shepherd will partner with Real Men Cook on Father’s Day to serve about 50 meals to the homeless men at the Door of Hope Rescue Mission. Located at 5213 S. Indiana in Chicago, the Door of Hope Rescue Mission is a 30-bed transitional housing ministry that serves homeless men in Chicago’s Washington Park community. Its ultimate mission is to disciple men into interdependent Christian living. David Pendleton is the executive director.
The festivities take place on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19 – from 3PM to 6PM.
The Reverend Jesse Knox III, pastor of The Church of the Good Shepherd at 5700 S. Prairie, said members admire the Mission for its role in serving the underserved and helping those who desire basic human needs. He particularly praised the Mission for assisting those who seek an opportunity to reconcile their lives and transform their condition and situations.
Because the Mission’s approach to welcoming the men is rooted in a Christian ethic, members of the Men’s Club are eager to don the Real Men Cook aprons and chef’s hats to serve a nutritious meal. He added that in honor of Father’s Day, the men are encouraged to invite their children.
Pendleton said that the men who seek out the Mission come from various backgrounds. Some have health challenges, including diabetes. This is one of the diseases Real Men Charities, Inc. has worked to provide awareness around since 2000 — particularly at the annual Father’s Day events. Because of this, the Church of Good Shepherd’s Men’s Club will include healthy food selections on their menu.
Yvette Moyo, co-founder of Real Men Cook, applauded the Rev. Knox and the Men’s Club for the giving spirit that inspired them to make such a Christian gesture on Father’s Day.
“It is so uplifting that the members of the Men’s Club are joining our male volunteer cooks by giving up Father’s Day pampering to serve for a cause,” declared Ms. Moyo. She praised the Door of Hope Rescue Mission for promoting Empowerment, Self-Sufficiency and Interdependence and noted that this doctrine supports Real Men Cook’s mission.
She singled out executive director Pendleton for praise and applauded him for making sure that the Mission leaves a positive impact on the men and brings a positive presence to the surrounding community.
“These men are fathers, sons, husbands and grandfathers who are part of the fabric of our community but are experiencing a momentary challenge,” said Rael Jackson, who has led Real Men Cook activities for the past few years. “They are also living in faith and applying the Mission’s Christian doctrine to lift themselves up. In support of the Door of Hope Rescue Mission, Real Men Cook and the Church of Good Shepherd are happy to bring joy and love to these men, and hopefully to their children, on Father’s Day.”
For Real Men Cook events open to the public on Father’s Day, visit www.realmencook.com. To keep up with Father’s Day stories and photos use hashtag #realmencook.
About Door of Hope Rescue Mission:
Door of Hope Rescue Mission, established in 1954 as a Mission plant by the Pacific Garden Mission, is a transitional housing ministry that serves homeless men in Chicago’s Washington Park community. Family, vocational and spiritual goals are necessary to acquire and maintain residence at the Mission, which boasts an autonomous environment.
The Mission reports positive results in the men’s lives. This includes creating a clean, safe and industrious internal environment where over 80% of the men currently hold jobs or receive benefits that are allowing them to manage financially as they move towards the next permanent address.
About Church of the Good Shepherd
Church of the Good Shepherd is an historic African American Church, a United Church of Christ affiliate with a Congregational heritage. It has an economically and demographically diverse congregation with all parishioners bound by a commitment to serve. As part of that mission, the Church founded Good Shepherd Community Services Organization (GSCSO) in 1994.
