14 Thursday, November 14, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.comLIFE
Continued from Page 13
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269-223-man that I always wanted to be,” he
said. “It’s important to teach your
children right from wrong, and my
biggest fear is my son ending up and
turning out to be who I was instead
of who I am today. Especially with-
out his mother around. She was a
month away from graduating drug
court and she got COVID in late- She was stuck at home, she
had dope she was sitting on and
ended doing a line of heroin and it
killed her.”
Jones said he does his best to not
spend much time thinking about his
past.
“I don’t live in the past – I use it
as kind of like dangling a carrot in
front of my face of what I don’t want
to be,” he said. “I’ve always learned
better from failing than I ever have
of from succeeding. I don’t remem-
ber all my wins, but I remember a
lot of my losses and I use it to teach
people because I don’t want them to
have to go through a lot of the pain
and suffering that I’ve gone through.
“Another great part about The
Haven is the individual counseling,
A lot of people don’t feel comfort-
able in group settings but when you
get back there and you’re able to talk
to the counselors and you get in the
back room and you have one-on-one
with your brothers, the next thing
you know you have three or four of
your best buddies in there and you’re
talking these things out and work-
ing these things out. This place is a
breath of fresh air.”
The Haven Executive Director
Daniel Jones (no relation) said Matt
has become someone he has com-
plete trust in.
“Here at The Haven, 36 out of 60
people who work here have similar
experiences to what Matt had,” said
Daniel Jones. “People trust Matt
because he had that experience and
they know he is authentic. He knows
exactly what they are going through
and he can relate and connect with
the guys. It’s all because of Matt’s
authenticity.”
The Share Center is the daytime
drop-in center that offers a number
of services that help people over-
come crises by meeting basic needs,
removing barriers and stabilizing
income and housing.“A lot of our shelter population
leaves during the day and goes
there,” said Daniel Jones.
Matt Jones said he feels “liberated”
these days and speaks openly and
honestly to all he encounters.
“So many people are so afraid to
be who they are; they’re so afraid
of judgment and people not under-
standing,” he said. I truly believe if
we’re able to help one person it’s
worth it. The truth of the matter is,
I want people to see it through my
actions instead of me trying to sell
them. It no longer matters how long
I live, but how I live. Living to just
merely exist is unacceptable; it’s one
of those non-negotiables that I have.I need to be better today than who
I was yesterday and that’s the only
way to do better and show these guys
that they can do it.
“We have a recipe for success and
I know that it’s different for every-
body, but we’re able to pull that out
and show them, ‘Hey, this is the path
I took. This is how I did it.’ The
great thing about The Haven is that
they have a solution to the problem.”
Daniel Jones said Matt is doing
“amazing work.”
“Matt is an amazing guy,” said
Jones. “He is effective because he
comes from the street and he knows
The Haven saved his life.”God’s Kitchen of Michigan
recently announced its 2024 Free
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
schedule.
The organization will serve three
dinners at two Battle Creek locations
and one Kalamazoo location, said
Pastor William Stein, chairman of
God’s Kitchen.
Guests are invited to enjoy a hearty
meal, featuring roasted turkey, stuff-
ing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet
corn, green beans, desserts and
bottled water.
The dinner schedule for the Battle
Creek locations is:
-- First United Methodist
Church, 111 E. Michigan Ave., on
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
-- Macedonia Missionary Baptist
Church, 636 W. Van Buren St., on
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
The Kalamazoo site is the Wesley
Foundation, 2350 Ring Road North,
on Thursday, Nov. 21, 5-6:30 p.m.
“We believe that Thanksgiving
is about more than just a meal; it’s
about coming together as a com-
munity,” said Stein. “We are grate-
ful for the support of our generous
sponsors and dedicated volunteersGod’s Kitchen to host free
Thanksgiving dinners
who help make this event possible.
Together, we can spread hope and
joy to those who need it most.”
This initiative is made pos-
sible through sponsors, includ-
ing the Mike and Sharon Seelye
Family Foundation; Baptism USA
Ministries; the Michigan Nonprofit
Relief Fund; First United Methodist
Church; Macedonia Missionary
Baptist Church; Broncos Kitchen
Foundation; Michigan Youth
Challenge Academy; and God’s
Kitchen of Michigan.
Stein said everyone is welcome at
these dinners, regardless of back-
ground or circumstances.
“Come as you are and let us cele-
brate the spirit of gratitude and com-
munity together,” he said.
More information is available at
http://www.godskitchenofmichigan.org/
events.
— Ann Pulsipher