Bethlehem House is excited to welcome Terry Fatherly to the Board of Directors. Her connection with the shelter has been long term. She said, “I have been involved with the shelter for over a decade through events at my church, Fellowship Bible Church. A trusted friend, Lester Eberhard, encouraged me to consider being on the board because they needed someone with a financial background.”
Fatherly makes a great match for the position. She said, ”I was an IRS agent for over 6 years before I started my own tax practice in 1994. I have been a CPA since 1989.” Fatherly says she admires the programs the shelter has to help residents plan for a brighter financial future. She states, “I like the financial accountability for the clients. I like the fact that our homeless shelter is about helping people evaluate choices that have gotten them where they are in life and teaching them a new, better, way to function.”
The community has an overwhelming need for the many services provided by the shelter. Bethlehem House offers assistance to individuals and families within an atmosphere that encourages self-confidence, education, and life-skills. The program provides multiple opportunities for people to have a warm meal, a place to sleep, do laundry and shower. These programs are designed to give a sense of dignity, security and stability. It is a faith based program designed to meet the needs of people within the community by people who live in this community. Fatherly said, “I want to give back to this community that has blessed me in so many ways. I want to help in any way I can.”
Bethlehem House is currently renting two houses to supplement space in the overcrowded existing structure. Fatherly said, “It’s exciting to be building a facility that will house all the staff/clients instead of renting extra space to accommodate everyone.”
Land has been secured for the 7,200 square foot shelter. The new facility will be located at 1 Parkway next to the railroad tracks in Conway (just blocks away from the current shelter). Recently, the Capital Campaign Goal of $1.3 million was met. Nabholz Construction will begin construction shortly after the first of the year.