Halfway home marks first year

Barbara Pope, with Ron Arnold assisting in the background, stays busy organizing to go orders during Friday's lunch. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Order this photo]

Through ups and downs, the Halfway Home of Shelbyville has remained open for one year, and the number of lives it has affected over the course of that year is growing.

Led by Jay Pope, many have passed through the 6-month program, which serves as a transitional home for men who want to start a new Christian-based life following incarceration. Pope had success stories to share on Friday at the home's chili and corn bread benefit lunch, held at Pope's Lighthouse Church on Church Street.

Hundreds of people ordered lunch to go while others ate at the church. Proceeds went to the Halfway Home. The payoff for diners was white chicken chili with moist cornbread.

"We've had a good year," Pope said, although he has had some trouble getting grants he's been hoping for. "We have four good men now and several went through the program this summer."

Patrick Applegren and Victor and Joyce Cantu, members of Lighthouse Church, enjoy dining in at the Halfway Home benefit. Many orders were carry out. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Pope was particularly excited about one man whom he said had recently graduated from college and "has a good job in Manchester." He was also excited about his newest resident to the Halfway Home, located on Carter Street.

Latoris Bond, of East Tennessee, said he was wandering around with nowhere to go when someone directed him to Pope. Bond has been incarcerated in the past and struggles with addiction. He moved into the home a few days ago and says he is most impressed with its spiritual aspect.

"The spirituality of this is our key," Pope said. "A lot of other programs provide quick fixes but Jesus Christ is the only lasting fix. There are a lot of hurting people out there."

Four men occupy one of three homes designated for the program. Though it has not been a speedy process, Pope has remained steady in his quest to better the lives of men involved in the program. He said he's applied for grants but "it's hard to get faith-based grants."

Pope has held several benefit lunches in the past, hosted a family fun day at Clearview Farm a couple of months ago and linked the program to the Community Garden this summer, where men worked the garden that served the home and other members of the county in need.

The purpose of the lunch was to raise funds for the Halfway Home, but the talk of the hour was the cornbread. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

While Pope is with the men during the daytime, offering prayers, guidance and support, the addition of a night manager is new to the Halfway Home.

Jeremy Dennis, of A Better Bonding Co., has always felt compelled to help others, even when it comes to running his business.

"I enjoy helping these guys and trying to get their lives back on track," said Dennis of his role as night manager.

Pope says he'll continue to have benefits like the chili lunch in the weeks and months to come to sustain the home.