Jimmie Hale Mission

The Jimmie Hale Mission is a provider of meals, shelter and services to Birmingham's homeless population. The charity mission now provides on average over 150 beds and 475 meals per day along with chapel and bible study services, counseling and case management. Its annual budget is over $4 million per year. It receives no Federal or United Way money and is supported entirely by private donations and through its three Mission Possible thrift stores. Tony Cooper has served as Executive Director since 1990. The Mission operates four centers around the city.

History

The Jimmie Hale Mission was founded in March 1944 by James William Hale, a former alcoholic, and his wife Jessie as a storefront chapel at 2117 2nd Avenue North, the same building where Jimmie had once tended bar. In November 1944, Jimmie died and his 27-year old widow, pregnant with their child, took over operation of the fledgling mission. It was relocated several times until finding a home at 2403 3rd Avenue North.

Jessie was joined in 1954 by a railroad worker and Southeastern Bible College student, Leo Shepura, who became co-superintendent and stayed for 36 years. That Thanksgiving the Mission served its first meal. It remained at that site for 57 years. In Spring 2007 the mission relocated to the former Thomas School at 3420 2nd Avenue North.

Facilities

Brother Leo Men's Center

The Jimmie Hale Mission's primary location is the Shepura Men's Center, which opened in the former Thomas School on April 22, 2007. The long-vacant building, constructed in 1908, was donated by the city of Birmingham. The structure, which required $2 million for restoration and modification, houses 175 beds on three floors. A new multipurpose building on the site includes a dining hall kitchen and clothes closet.

Later construction phases on the 3.5 acre site will add a dedicated chapel, administrative offices and classrooms, and an outdoor recreation yard with basketball court. These projects are expected to cost around $3 million.

The Center's former 90-bed "Brother Leo Men's Center" downtown was sold for $500,000 to developers Ed and Leo Ticheli who plan to spend $5 million converting the building into loft condominiums and retail space.

Royal Pines Center

The Mission's Royal Pines Center in Bangor, Blount County, established in 1995, provides an intensive version of the 16-week addiction recovery program. Services are provided free of charge, with clients or their supporters providing donations as they are able. The facility has 28 beds and requires clients to participate in church services and work details in addition to classwork and counseling.

Jessie's Place

Jessie's Place is a women's and children's shelter located at 2305 5th Avenue North downtown. It was opened in March 1998 and is named after Jessie Hale Downs. The center accommodates 35 women and children, living dormitory-style. Individual families stay, on average, three to six months receiving remedial education, job training, counseling, and instruction in parenting and life skills in addition to food and shelter.

Stewart Learning Center

The Stewart Learning Center is a computer-based educational facility located at 2330 2nd Avenue North serving both the Men's Center and Jessie's Place. It was dedicated on November 15, 2001. A second satellite center is located inside the Royal Pines Center.

The Learning Center utilizes the NOVA career education program for individualized instruction. The course includes basic work skills and character development along with job searching techniques and problem assessment.

References

• Hayman, John (1998) Doing Unto the Least of These: The Story of Birmingham's Jimmie Hale Mission. Montgomery: Black Belt Press.
• Spencer, Thomas (January 14, 2007) "Address changes, mission doesn't." Birmingham News.
• Debro, Anita (April 23, 2007) "Mission accomplished: Jimmie Hale marks move." Birmingham News.

External links

• Jimmie Hale Mission website