ECCO Reflections

Kentucky Outreach Center Sees New Growth

The new Eolia Christian Community Center building under construction, July 2002. (MCC photo by Randy Coblentz.)

EOLIA, Ky. -- Since partnering with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) over a dozen years ago, Eolia resident Brenda Gross has grown in her commitment to reach out to her community. As director of Eolia Christian Community Outreach (ECCO), Brenda dreamed of expanding the center into a new, larger building--to create a place for senior citizens and youth to gather, provide counseling services and have storage for the out-of-season thrift store items crammed into her current quarters. With the help of the Eolia community, MCC, and other partners, is making the expanded ministry center a reality.

The seeds of Brenda's ministry were planted more than a dozen years ago, when MCC workers in the area contacted her to ask how they could get in touch with the family of an injured local boy. As the owner of this tiny mountain town's only grocery store, Brenda knew most people in the community. A friendship between Brenda and the MCC workers blossomed. They began to bring food and used clothing to the store for her to distribute to customers.

Brenda, a lifelong area resident, had become a Christian around the same time as connecting with MCC. She felt her heart breaking for the suffering in her Appalachian community, where the decline of coal-mining was feeding widespread poverty. Inspired by the MCC contributions and spurred on by her own convictions, she began to solicit more food donations. Today, while still helping run her family store, Brenda directs the entire outreach center, including a well-stocked food pantry, thrift store, and crafts center. Proceeds from the thrift store and crafts help finance the center, which depends on volunteers from several local churches to stock shelves and work with clients. Brenda also provides monthly grocery bags of food for some 50 families a month. Requests "snowballed," she says, after welfare reform took hold in this job-scarce region.

Part of the left wing shown above, a space about 15' x 20', is the current location of the ECCO thrift shop and food pantry. (MCC photo by Jim Huebner.)

Isolation and mountainous terrain make travel challenging even for healthy people, so Brenda also reaches out to the bed-ridden. Each Christmas, Brenda distributes about 50 home healthcare packages, including a towel, personal care items, socks, lap blankets and inspirational reading. Every winter Brenda also handles requests from families whose homes have burned. Kerosene heaters, faulty wiring in substandard housing and firefighters' difficulty in navigating narrow mountain passes contribute to the high number of fire victims.

MCC has recently renewed its commitment and involvement with Brenda through its Appalachia office. MCC has continued to provide canned meat for the pantry as well as seeds for families interested in gardening. And with the ongoing community needs and Brenda's drive and vision for service, MCC saw on opportunity to assist in achieving the dream of a new outreach center. Together with other churches, individuals, and organizations, plans were put in place to build a two-storey building with enough room for a storage, counselling, community center, and more Christian outreach activities.

Over the past year and a half, MCC has been part of this team working to expand the outreach ministry. MCC worked together with a local Christian lawyer to incorporate the ministry organization and appoint a board of directors. MCC facilitated the non-profit registration of ECCO, as well as the construction plans for the new building. The Gross family has provided the location along with water well and sewer services. Many people and organizations have made significant contributions to the project. Individuals from the Eolia community have contributed large amounts of time and building materials. Various churches from Ohio and elsewhere have made periodic donations. Groups of volunteers from MCC SWAP program have also spent several weeks framing and nailing flooring and exterior siding. (See photos of the SWAP volunteers in Eolia at www.mcc.org/swap/gallery, and clicking on the Eolia links.) One of local churches graciously hosted the MCC SWAP volunteers, an experience which helped strengthen connections within the community.

Brenda Gross shown with Helen Glick, Director, and Charlie Geiser, Service Program Administrator, both of MCC Greatlakes. (MCC photo by Jim Huebner.)

As at the end of August, the outside of the building has mainly been completed. Attention is now on the interior electrical, plumbing, heating, and finishing. Much work remains, but with the continued dedication of local workers and outside contributions, the goal is to have the downstairs nearly complete this year. The plan is that the upstairs will provide accommodations for MCC's SWAP program next summer (www.mcc.org/swap). For this to be possible, the work will need to be completed at least by early next year. Many donations and supplies are still required. More details about the center and donation possibilities are available on the web at www.mcc.org/greatlakes/appalachia/projects/ecco.

The effects of this project are already visible. The new ECCO building is not just a lot of work, but also a source of hope and renewal for the community. The community has "come together like I've never seen", relates one local retiree. This is Brenda's goal. "Each of us, we make the most of wherever God puts us," she says.

-- adapted by Jim Huebner from a previous article by Rachel Beth Miller. Rachel is a writer/editor with MCC Communications. Jim and his wife Ellie are the Program Coordinators for MCC Appalachia.

MCC Appalachia Office
P.O. Box 460, 59A Main St. Whiteburg, KY 41858
Tel: 606.633.5065; e-mail: appalach@mcc.org