Shelter offers second chance

CHESAPEAKE

Martin Byrne called every shelter in the phone book.

He tried the United Way, the Salvation Army, but nobody could offer his 7-year-old son, Matthew, and him a place to live.

Until he called Geneva Park Baptist Church, which operates Victory Home, a Christ-centered, in-house recovery and rehabilitation program.

The Deep Creek church on Gilmerton Road ministers to those abused, addicted or abandoned while providing a home, three meals a day, a place to bathe or shower, and clothing.

"I called and called and called and called. Nobody would take us," the 49-year-old Great Bridge man said.

Pastor Mike Ellis started Victory Home in 2003, and six years later, he said, "We don't turn anyone away because of space."

The church rents three houses nearby and is buying another. As many as four men live in each house with a supervisor from the program. Currently no program is in place for women, though Ellis will work to find them other options.

"If we fill up, we'll get another house," Ellis said. "If a person comes to us and God wants us to help them, we'll make it happen."

Victory Home initially housed eight to 10 men.

"We went to 30 about a year and a half ago," Ellis said. "Usually July and August is our lowest enrollment, but we've stayed consistent."

All men undergo a screening before they enter the program, which asks for a six-month commitment.

Not everyone can handle the structure and rules, which require rising at 6 a.m. and lights out at 10 p.m. For the first month, men receive no phone calls or visits. Television is off-limits except for videos on the weekends.

Mornings and evenings include a Bible study. Everyone works eight-hour days Mondays through Saturdays.

Jobs range from helping with church mailings to lawn care to working in the Victory Home Thrift Store and outlet on nearby Canal Street.

Others are in charge of the Victory Home car wash that rotates around Deep Creek. The men aren't paid for their work. Victory Home asks no payment from them, either.

"One of the things I impress upon them is personal responsibility," Ellis said. "They owe it to themselves and those around them to be diligent about their work assignments."

No two stories are the same from the 30 or so men who reside at Victory House, but they are similar in this: The folks here have had trouble in their life, usually with drugs, alcohol or both, and they cannot find a way out.

Roy Jones and Greg Lambert work in the thrift store. Jones, 62, says he'd be in jail if he wasn't at Victory Home.

"I made poor decisions," said Jones, 62, of Waynesboro. "I grew up as a Christian believer, but once I got out on my own, I started taking my eyes off spiritual things and began to self- destruct."

He lost his three-bedroom home to foreclosure. His retirement benefits didn't cover his expenses.

"I'm getting myself financially put back together," said Jones.

Lambert was released from jail in June. For 20 years he worked at the paper mill in Franklin, but alcohol abuse sent his life on a downward spiral.

"I called a bunch of shelters. Nobody had a bed," said Lambert, 45, of Franklin. The rules are hard, he said, "but it's a learning, growing experience. I don't want to jeopardize the only option I've got."

Robert Mallory, 45, has lived on his own since he was 16. He has three children and a wife who left him eight months ago. When he was younger he played basketball at Elizabeth City State and talks of having a tryout with the Charlotte Hornets.

His said his life unraveled with the death of his grandfather years ago. He came to Victory Home from Greensboro two weeks ago and aims to be a preacher.

Like the others, Mallory is unsure of his exact transition out of the program. All the men say they will follow the pattern God has in store for them.

Byrne has remained in the program more than a year; he and Matthew are pictured on a brochure about Victory Home.

Byrne beams when he speaks of Matthew's progress, who recently won the Citizenship Award at his school.

When Byrne works, the other men in the program look out for his son, ensuring homework is done right after school.

"I started doing drugs when I was 15 and I got to the point where I either embrace this or die," Byrne said. "I tried it my way for too long. Now I'm doing it God's way."

Vicki L. Friedman, (757) 222-5218, vicki.friedman@pilotonline.com