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On October 19th, 2023, Resurrection House began its 34th year of operation. What started as a Vestry project at Church of the Redeemer in 1985, became a reality in October 1989 when six Sarasota downtown churches came together to form what is now the Resurrection House.

The first couple of years were spent in one room in the old Salvation Army building on 4th street. A small building on 6th street was quickly followed by the present location at 507 Kumquat Court.

Resurrection House owes its existence and success to the many donors, churches and foundations that believe in its mission of helping the homeless. Having never taken funding from the city, county, state or federal government allows the staff the freedom to make immediate decisions to aid those most in need.

Happy Birthday Resurrection House.

“A Chaplain is many things to many people. He is a mediator, a peace maker, a go-between heaven and earth. He has the trust of a child, the kindness of a best friend, and the strength of a Man of God. He works hard; his hours are the longest; his salary is the smallest; his Boss is the best. It’s no wonder God loves him; he speaks to God for us and to us for God.”

Anonymous

Resurrection House is now so blessed to have our own Chaplain, Michael Hales, who speaks to God for us. He also speaks to all of us about God. His presence every week at Resurrection House speaks to
all of us, but his quiet demeanor speaks most clearly to our homeless clients who are struggling with all the challenges they face every day. He brings them hope and helps to restore their faith.

Chaplain Michael comes in every Tuesday morning. He acknowledges all of us, but pauses to interact with each client. He asks them questions; he listens to them; he hears them; he counsels them; he prays with them.

Chaplain Michael then invites our clients to worship in The Rev. Dr. Fredrick A. Robinson Chapel at Resurrection House. All are welcome to join our Chaplain: to sing hymns, to say prayers, to study scripture
and to share in communion. At the close of his service, Chaplain Michael invites our clients to share their own thoughts and needs with the group or to privately meet with him after the service.

Resurrection House has been truly blessed by Chaplain Michael Hales because he is a Man of God. And he is keenly aware of the differences in each and every client. He listens, empathizes and shows them respect. And we are so grateful that he has joined our team!

Has it really been 15 years? It seems like yesterday that I was hired as Director of Development for Resurrection House. The calendar might have read January 2008, but in my head and heart it seems like only a few days ago.

Working with the homeless has readjusted my perspective on what is truly important in one’s life. Becoming the Executive Director over seven years ago has changed me in so many ways.

The most lasting lesson I have learned over all the years–when you take the time and effort to help another individual, you end up helping yourself. I did not realize it at the time, but a part of me became more caring, less self-centered and an overall calm person.

At Resurrection House, when a homeless individual makes the decision to change his or her lifestyle, the staff immediately determines the path that will result in the greatest success and provide the steps to accomplish the goal. It is in helping them that the charity and compassion spills over to the individual assisting the change.

I have been fortunate enough to be involved in the decision to use our resources to partner in making the change in others. It is truly a blessing to experience seeing the positive results in others.

I leave my tenure at Resurrection House with a grateful heart and a feeling of accomplishment. I owe a great debt to the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers for their efforts and compassion in helping to complete our mission on a daily basis. I feel certain that Resurrection House will succeed in continuing to help the most underserved population among us.

Winston Churchill once said “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”. This quote has always been one of my favorites even more so when I decided to retire last fall from my role as President of the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation. While many find their way to the golf course during their retirement years, my focus and passion became volunteering. Any opportunity to give back whether it was hurricane relief, feeding the hungry or serving the homeless, I was there to try and help out in some small way. The Resurrection House became one of the organizations I found myself volunteering at each week. My Thursday morning shift in the laundry area was a consistent highlight of my week.

Jesus showed his servant leadership by washing the feet of his disciples. I got to show mine at the Resurrection House by washing someone’s laundry. These small acts of kindness that are done each and every day at the Resurrection House go a long way in touching a heart and helping our clients know they are not forgotten.

Regarding my next chapter here at the Resurrection House, I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to be its next leader as the Interim Executive Director. Under Bill Wilson’s leadership, the organization has accomplished a lot and has served its mission well. It is clear to see that those who have been involved over the years have given tirelessly of themselves to help those much less fortunate. I’m looking forward to building upon the great work of our dedicated community, board, volunteers and staff.

Mason Ayres
Interim Executive Director

A comment made by a Sarasota Police officer during an off-duty detail at Resurrection House sparked an action. The officer said when she went through the training program as a recruit, she was immediately assigned to the night shift. It was a couple years later that she became aware of Resurrection House and how much interaction between the two organizations benefits everyone involved.

SPD officers working their daily shift often encounter homeless individuals. If the need is for clothing, food, or a shower, the officer knows Resurrection House stands ready to help them improve the situation. The reverse is also true. Having an SPD officer work an off-duty detail at Resurrection House provides safety and security for the volunteers, staff and clients. It is also an opportunity for interaction with an officer in a non-threatening environment.

Individuals wanting to join the police force attend a six-month long Police Academy through an FDLE-certified State Academy. Upon graduation and being hired by the Sarasota Police Department, the recruits are put through a 10-11 week long Agency Specific Training. It is at this point in their training that they visit Resurrection House for the first time.

Training programs in the future will include a stop at Resurrection House. The bond between the Sarasota Police Department and Resurrection House is very strong and is especially beneficial to both sides meeting the needs of the homeless in our community.

Dear Friends,

“From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind”

Psalm 33:13

A dear mentor of mine, now long departed, once told me about one Sunday morning on his way to church in St. Louis.  He was a  priest, and he didn’t hear his alarm that morning.  Of course, when one is late, all the traffic signals are red.  As he waited at a signal a few blocks before his parish, a man he’d noticed before was sitting on the curb with no shoes and a sad countenance.  My friend motioned him over to his car because he felt compelled to give the man a few dollars and point towards the shelter for a shower.

Unfortunately, when my friend reached into his back pocket, he noticed that he’s also forgotten his wallet as he rushed to leave.  Embarrassed that he had called over this homeless man only to turn him away emptyhanded, he said, “I am Father Ed, and I will be back through here later today.  I will bring you some money.  I’m sorry I don’t have any now.”  The tired, homeless man lifted his head, looked Father Ed in the eyes and said, “Father, it’s not about the money.  Thank you for looking at me.”

In that incredible exchange we see what Resurrection House is all about: honoring the undeniable dignity present in the face of every human being.  Or, more officially, my friend’s story points us to the transformative power of our mission of being “committed to transitioning at-risk and homeless individuals to a path of self-sufficiency.”

I am deeply honored to have been elected Resurrection House Chairman of the Board.  I follow the Reverend Fred Robinson, who served faithfully since 1995.  I promise to do all in my power to continue our great legacy and by God’s grace, build upon it so that more and more may know the love and God and the power of kindness.

I pray in this season that you will be moved to recommit yourselves to the work God has given us to do.  And I pray that you, too, may feel God’s kind gaze upon you and rediscover hope in His eternal promises.

Your servant,

The Reverend Charleston D. Wilson

Rector, Church of the Redeemer

Story told by Volunteer, Georgia Anderson.

Lucinda Ann Reilly, 48, was found in front of the Wells Fargo Branch at Lincoln Road and Alton Road at around 9:45 pm Sunday, according to the police report.  Two homeless men who knew her found her.  One of the men had seen her lie down there late that morning.  He noticed that she had not moved when he passed by at night.  She was pronounced dead on the scene by fire officials.  Investigators have not determined the cause of death.

—The Miami Herald

“Hi, I’m Lucinda and I am an artist!”

That was my introduction to this remarkable young woman who appeared at Resurrection House for a shower 16 years ago.  She quickly proved her point by opening a portfolio brimming with color and design.  Each piece reflected Lucinda’s creative, happy, fun personality and our friendship formed in an instant.

Every week we’d meet at Pastry Art for coffee and bit by bit her story unfolded.  Born in New York City, she never knew her father.  When she was four years old her mother died in a car accident and she moved to her maternal grandparents in Kentucky.  She was introduced to alcohol as a child and by age 11 was addicted.

Talented and determined, she attended the University of Louisville and earned a degree in Graphic Design/Drawing.  Later she married and had two little boys.  The family moved to Florida where she worked as a multimedia artist.  Lucinda’s life was good until her husband suffered a heart attack and died at a very early age.

It was then her alcohol demons made a return.  Her sons were sent to live with their grandmother in Louisville.  She lost her job and was soon living on the street, trying to make a living from the sale of her art.  And that was when we met at Resurrection House.  She confided, “Wild Women Never Get the Blues” was the theme of one of her paintings and the formula for her life.  She greeted every day with s smile, determined to be an artist.

“Lucinda, you have to get a job!” I would tell her, concerned about her life on the street.  “I have a job!” she’d reply with a smile.

And she did, but not one to produce enough income to afford housing.  I worried so much about her being homeless.  She often called at 10 pm to tell me she was safe and sound, sleeping in the life guard stand on Siesta Beach.

One of her finest moments came when she was asked to paint the mural on the wall of the children’s play area at Resurrection House.  I watched her each day from the check-in desk and marveled at her talent and joy.

It become more and more apparent that she had no outlet for her art in Sarasota.  When she tried to sell on the street she was told to “move on!”  Renting a booth at the Miami Flea 

Market became her goal and she started to explore moving to Miami Beach.  Ever committed to her art, she saved her money and off she went!

For a while things worked well.  She was able to get an apartment and lead a normal, happy life.  But the demons returned and a downward spiral set in.  Soon she was back on the street, losing weight and barely getting by each day..

I talked to her almost daily and begged her to return to Sarasota where Resurrection House would help her.

“I’m afraid you are going to die while I’m gone,” I told her by phone as I was preparing to leave the country on a trip.

“Do not worry about me,” she said in her calm, spiritual way.  “God is riding around on my shoulder taking total care of me.”

Three days into my trip I received the tragic news that she had died on the street in Miami.

I loved my dear friend Lucinda Anne Reilly!  She made my world and everyone else’s a much brighter, happier place.  I think of her every time I go to work at Resurrection House.  I see her beautiful mural and remember one of her favorite quotations by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.”

Thank you, Lucinda for all the beauty you shared.  You will be remembered always!

When I first came to Sarasota over 25 years ago as the new Rector of Church of the Redeemer, it wasn’t long before I received a call from Elaine and Bob Kyllonen, asking me to come to Resurrection House to say a prayer on the occasion of its 5th anniversary.

So many obstacles had been overcome during those first 5 years and they were thankful that not only had RH survived, but also was thriving in its mission to provide hope to the neediest of the needy in our community. They wanted that anniversary to be marked by prayer and thanksgiving to God.

It wasn’t long after that milestone that I received another call from Bob, asking me if I would consider becoming the President of the Board. I thanked him for the honor of being asked and said yes to the opportunity to be able to serve my community in that way.

Over these 25 years since, we have seen many changes in the city of Sarasota, but the homeless continue to be with us and continue to need our help. We have seen changes in leadership as Bob and Elaine Kyllonen retired and David Proch took the helm. When David retired, Bill Wilson assumed leadership. With all of our directors, we have been blessed with strong, capable leadership.

At times, we have been seen as partners with the community in meeting this need and sometimes we have been seen as part of the problem! Sometimes our community has forged ahead with real progress in helping the homeless find homes. At times, there has been such optimism that folks have told us our services would soon not be needed (Thank you very much!)

Throughout all of these times, positive and negative, good and bad, we have not changed. We have offered the services and ministry that we provide and have trusted in God that he would lead us in any changes that might need to be made in the future. In the meantime, our modus operandi was to continue to do what we do to the glory of God and to service of the poorest of the poor.

Resurrection House provides a much-needed ministry to members of our community who are in need and it helps to make Sarasota a place of compassion. I am thankful for this lighthouse of hope and I am thankful for the many people who have made it possible and who continue to make it possible through the generous gifts of their time, talent, and treasure.

Fr. Fred Robinson

My career at Resurrection House began almost 13 years ago. The Director of Development position became available with the retirement of co-founder Bob Kyllonen.

I still remember portions of the interview process. One question centered on my belief in the endowment and my ability to increase what was started under Bob. I was very impressed by the Board members asking the questions and their commitment to the organization.

David Proch had just been named Executive Director. Because of the mutual respect we had for each other, Dave and I worked well together and became good friends. I learned about the homeless from him.

One comment often made by Dave was that “he seldom planned his day, he just showed up.”

Until I replaced him, I really did not understand what he meant. Now I do.

Putting the mission of Resurrection House into daily practice and serving 150 homeless creates circumstances that cannot be planned in advance.

My daily routine is made much easier by a great staff. With a morning and an afternoon shift of volunteers each day, the variety of temperaments, talents and convictions makes for a lively day.

Two highlights stand out. The Resurrection House endowment has increased by over 10-fold of over $2 million. Our front door has been the entry point for 50 homeless veterans to receive permanent housing.

Recently, a quick decision that had to be made illustrates what I love about my job. We learned of a 77 year old female who, through no fault of her own, was about to be put on the street and become homeless.

With no family, a small dog, and limited income, she could not manage to afford new housing. Resurrection House stepped forward with the first and last months payment of over $2,000 on an apartment. We were also assured that Meals-on-Wheels would provide food and she would get daily visits to check on her well-being.

We had no time to check with our generous donors, but I firmly believe they would want us to spend their donations in this manner. To help an individual in need is the meaning of the life we live at Resurrection House.

Bill Wilson

Executive Director

In 1994 I was fortunate to be transferred by my Company from the “mother-ship” in Chicago to the Sarasota office.

The Company was well known as a supporter of cultural and human services organizations and expected its officers to take an active role in community life by volunteering and serving on the Boards of those organizations. A co-worker, a friend of Ray Grills, who was familiar with the work at Resurrection House, knew that the organization was looking to expand its Board and arranged for us to meet and tour the facility with Bob Kyllonen. At that time I was completely unaware of the plight of the homeless individuals in Sarasota but thought that the mission of Resurrection House was well worth supporting with both “time and treasure.”

I joined the Board in 1995 and was recruited by Ray to join the finance committee which he chaired. In the spring of 1997, after much discussion in committee, we agreed that, to insure the long term stability of the organization, an Endowment Fund should be established. Having had experience with these funds, I drafted an Endowment document which was adopted by the Board on June 18, 1997.

Over the course of the years, under the leadership of Dick Tesar, Treasurer, and Ralph Hedges, Finance Committee chairman the little account grew due to the incredible generosity of our donors and local foundations. With each unrestricted contribution of $5,000 or more, the committee would debate how much, if any of that amount the Board should allocate to the Endowment. Those debates continue to this day, and I am delighted to report that its value now exceeds $2 million. Resurrection House is now one of the most financially stable not-for-profits in Sarasota, totally independent of any government funding.

We look forward to a long and successful future, free of debt, so that we can continue to serve our clients with dignity and compassion.

Kathy Hendricks, Chairman

Resurrection House Finance Committee