Interview: Richard Henderson

Hello everyone, this interview was done by my best field reporter, Lea Karnezis (I may be biased…she’s my wife). Since I was not able to be present for this, she really stepped up and is working towards a big promotion. This interview took place at the Hammond City Rescue Mission. It is located at 527 State St Hammond, IN 46320 and can be contacted by calling 219) 932-5085. 

For this interview, Lea spoke with Richard Henderson, an Employee at the Hammond City Rescue Mission. From what I heard he is a very sweet, humble, modest and all around great man. Mr. Henderson’s story is quite an interesting one. He is from Albany, New York and came over to Indiana to find work. Eventually he was hired at an aerospace company. After four years of hard work, Mr. Henderson lost his job. “My recommendation to people who lose their job, they have to change their way of life. Most people don’t. I burnt through my 401k and that’s how I became homeless”. Instead of beating himself up and being down in the dumps, Mr. Henderson decided to start working in various areas throughout the First Baptist Church (the church that oversees the shelter). 

            After all of his hard work, Mr. Henderson is now working again and runs the front desk at the Hammond City Rescue mission. The way he describes it is “I run the front desk. I am the first person they see when they come in. They fill out the application, we make sure they have an ID”. He goes on to explain how he appreciates his co-worker, Doug, who is the resource provider on sight at the shelter. Doug is described as a counselor or “the person” who gets your needs taken care of. For example, there was a flu outbreak at the shelter a while ago. Who do they call? Doug. Then Doug would call the doctors (who are at the regional health clinic down the street from the shelter) and they arrive as quickly as possible with the supplies to take care of it and contain the outbreak. 

            When asked how many men the shelter holds, Mr. Henderson went to explain that it used to be able to hold 53 men. They would have men sleep overnight in the hallways just to give them shelter. He proceeded to explain that they do not do that anymore because of the requirements from the fire departments. Since then, the number of men finding shelter there was cut dramatically. He states “right now, we max out at 45 or 46 people, maybe”. It is also worth noting the shelter maxes out every night. However, turnover is fast because people will leave without warning. So, in reality it is very difficult to get a true headcount.  

            Another interesting fact we learned is that there is a chapel in the shelter. There are two services every day, attended by the men and women who come to the shelter. An amazing thing Mr. Henderson told Lea is “the chapel was redone by the people who use the shelter”. When I heard that (after listening to the recording of the interview) I was amazed. It was beautiful to think that the people who stay and eat at the shelter are so grateful that they painted, trimmed, built a podium, put in new flooring, tore down drywall and put new drywall up. All for the chapel. People really are amazing once you give them a chance. 

            A great question asked by lea was about how the shelter works. Does it require them to sign up monthly or is it a come and go kind of thing? Mr. Henderson answered by saying the people need to sign up once a month. One month the pantry can be short, the next month it can be full. He then states “The problem with the pantry right now is, it used to be just a help, now people are depending on it, and it is no longer “just a help.”.  Lea then asked “So it no longer supplements them, they depend on it?” To which Mr. Henderson replied “Yes”. Right now, the shelter services 40 families. 

            The Hammond City Rescue Mission has help from many places. Including one Synagogue, some catholic churches, Baptists churches, and Orthodox churches. Churches or places of any kind help out when they can. To donate to the shelter all you have to do is go in and bring them any type of food or anything that is useful to them. They mostly receive canned goods, dry goods (such as beans and rice). Right now, the pantry needs replenishing because they are running low. The shelter does not provide breakfast, they ask for donations. They do try to have some coffee at least, while hoping people bring in pastries for breakfast. However, donors, churches or anyone really can bring in lunch and dinner for the people. 

            Mr. Henderson also wanted to note that he/they/the shelter, are open to just about anything that will help. Anything you are willing to share with them would be amazing.  He said “right now, we’re starting to share with the other pantry also. The program next door called Reformers Unanimous, Better Roads Ahead. They are an addiction program, but not just for drugs, it could be for anything. Both organizations are under the same umbrella organization, but are separate entities.”

            When asked what he loves most about working there Mr. Henderson replied “The interaction. The chance to meet all kinds of people from various walks of life. We have people who were engineers, pilots, creative people that sometimes give whatever they have to help out. They start to help each other out which I’m praying our country starts to do because this corona thing is out of control. If we can help each other out maybe God will give us a break”.  He ended the interview by saying “This place is a life saver. This place would not be open without Christ, our God. Wouldn’t be open at all”. 

            I hope this interview gives you an inside look at the life this man has been living. He went from moving far from home to get a job, to losing it and becoming homeless, to getting back on his feet and finally doing something he loves. I would say he was “working again” but when you are doing something you love it is never “work”.  Mr. Henderson is proof that with God, all things are possible. Please never forget that and please pray for the men and women who count on this shelter to feed them and keep them warm.  Also feel free to donate and/or call the number above to set up a time to go and help out. It is a great experience. 

Until next time,

Peter