WORDS Tara Crutchfield
PHOTOGRAPH Amy Sexson
Gospel Village they need housing. This addresses the housing component of that. [...] When we bought the park in February, we knew there would be a number of these units that we needed to remodel. They are basically an extreme makeover.” Gospel Village invites residents to be active participants in the interior design process.
For ten years, Lakeland nonprofit Gospel Inc. has provided resources, fostered community, and helped find purposeful employment for homeless folks across the city. Founder Brian Seeley knew more could be done to serve this vulnerable population. Seeley, along with his Gospel Inc. team, volunteers, and community leaders, have worked together to secure sustainable and affordable long-term housing for the city’s chronically homeless. On February 3, 2021, property on E. Lemon Street, formerly Royal Oak Estates, was purchased, and renovations began for what was to become Gospel Village.
Next, we moved to the outdoor kitchen, gathering space, and farm. The Village hosts a community dinner every Thursday night for residents. Gospel Village offers community groups and bible studies to bolster that sense of community, which is at the core of its mission.
Many considered chronically homeless remain so due to mental or physical disabilities. Gospel Village offers permanent housing and dignified work for Lakeland’s chronically homeless. The tiny-home community currently has 35 units with plans to break ground on an additional 24 units in 2022. The nonprofit’s goal is to complete 150 units over the subsequent two phases of its project. Gospel Village is currently home to 40 residents.
Down another pathway, a community fridge and pantry are stocked with donations of fresh produce and pantry goods from local community groups and churches. A form of therapy, dignified work, and farm fresh eggs, a chicken coop is situated adjacent to the community pantry. “It’s a powerful tool for those suffering from anxiety and loneliness while providing a work opportunity for those in our housing programs. For those who can’t work elsewhere, they can work here and help in areas like this to receive permanent housing,” noted a volunteer during the tour.
HOME SWEET HOME During a November 3 “Friendraiser” for Gospel Inc., volunteer Hailey gave us a tour of Gospel Village. An intern at Together Church, Hailey volunteers weekly at the village as a part of the ministry program called Lead Florida. Sprawling oak trees provide canopy above paths dissecting rows of newly remodeled units and community gathering spaces. We entered one home that had been renovated entirely, including new windows, paint, cabinetry, plumbing, lighting, appliances, and furnishings. Gospel Inc. partnered with local artist Jenna O’Brien to design the interior, “helping create a happy space, which we believe will positively affect their mental health. We also have partnered with local mental health experts and volunteers to host events here on-site so our residents can walk outside of their homes and participate,” according to our tour guide.
The tour concluded with the opportunity to buy handmade and sewn items from RePurpose Art Studio. The studio is a coffeehouse gathering spot for homeless women in the morning, with devotions and prayer available to those who stop by. The art studio receives donations of clothing, food, and craft items that are repurposed into aprons, jewelry, candles, and the like. Donations towards items at RePurpose Art Studio support the women who make them.
A LIFE’S CALLING TURNED COMMUNITY “This is our ten-year anniversary as a corporation,” said Brian Seeley as he took the stage at the Friendraiser luncheon. The significance of that milestone has given him pause to reflect on “the journey that has brought us to this beautiful place.”
Gospel Village’s Restore Workshop Director, Robbie Lathrop said, “We believe that our residents need three things. They need to be in a relationship with Christ, they need community, and
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