Good Shepherd Mission

Recently undertaking the role of serving as a volunteer with the Good Shepherd Mission in Huntsville, Texas, has been a deeply meaningful and transformative experience. Established in 1983, this small but ambitious multifaceted organization has long been a community cornerstone and vital foundation of support for individuals and families in crisis within the Walker County area.

Since June 2024, The Mission has been under the leadership of Executive Director, Monte Robinson.

The Good Shepherd Mission provides safe lodging and daily meals for up to 40 residents, many of whom are navigating recovery from addiction, abuse, complex trauma, homelessness and/or other destabilizing life circumstances.

The current program emphasizes restoration, self-sufficiency, and community reintegration, meeting both immediate needs and long-term goals of rebuilding lives.

Beyond residential support, the Mission also serves as a registered hub of the Houston Food Bank, operating a five-day-a-week food distribution program that assists 3007 unique people in 2024 last year (11,505 considering duplicate visits; source: Houston Food Bank). A public soup kitchen serves two meals a day, every day of the year, ensuring that no one in the community goes hungry. Additionally, the on-site thrift store provides free clothing to qualifying families and offers affordable home furnishings, helping households stabilize and restore dignity during times of transition.

However, in our extensive work with the financially insecure, we cannot help but notice that the drastically growing shortage of safe and affordable housing in the Huntsville area has left many seniors, disabled individuals, and those living on fixed incomes or managing mental health challenges without stability, safety, or connection. With wait-lists often stretching on for years, countless residents are forced into precarious living conditions that erode both their health and their humanity. Our proposed tiny home village offers an immediate & sustainable solution, one that provides not just housing, but a sense of belonging. Designed to cultivate security, purpose, and mutual care, this community will help residents rebuild their footing and restore a sense of possibility and self-determination.

Primary Goal:

Build Shelter Housing Units (49 tiny houses) to help assist elderly and high-need individuals. These houses are intended for short-term use while residents transition to stable, independent living. The primary residents will be single elderly and disabled individuals. Residents will also have access to the daily kitchen, as the Mission currently provides three meals per day.

The second phase of our goal is to build a community center that will provide self-improvement courses. Job Skills, Addiction Recovery, Bible Studies, Worship Services, and Men’s Character Building are all currently part of the Mission culture, but additional space is required for expansion.

Each shelter will provide residents with privacy and a sense of independence. A private bedroom and half bath will be included within each unit. A common shower house, shared washer and dryer, congregation area, activities area, and dining area will all help support their daily needs.

Financial Needs:

The initial plans cost the mission $19K to date. This includes: the initial engineered drawing, the platting, feasibility and topographical survey. This was funded through current donors who have a heart and share a vision to support those in need.

What we need for the immediate next development is $43,000. This is the amount required for finalizing the engineered drawings. This includes; electrical construction design, waste water plans (pumping/lift station), potable water plans, site drainage and retention pond, engineered driveway and parking plans, and home site plans.

Once all of the engineering is completed, we will start construction – Phase 1. We estimate that it will require $200K to complete Phase 1.

Once Phase 1 is complete, we will start construction of each individual shelter. We have a tremendous amount of community support regarding the shelters and feel confident that funding the buildings on an individual basis will be more easily accomplished. The new washer/dryer areas and other community structures will likewise be funded on an individual basis.

Plan B Funding:

Monte Robinson (Director), Mac Odom (contractor) and I have teamed up to form Hope Harbor Homes (a 501c3 non-profit). This entity was created for the sole purpose of building two speculative homes on two lots that were donated to Bridge to Hope by Monte. The plan is to build a 1,704 square foot home on each lot. The estimated build cost for each home is $136,000. This cost is lower than the market price as I (Stan) will be assisting with managing the construction and lowering trade labor when possible. We anticipate the sale of each house will be $235K to $245K. This leaves a potential profit of $85K per unit that will be donated directly to Good Shepherd Mission, where donations will be earmarked to be used for the construction of the tiny homes village. We are looking for a way to finance the construction of the houses until they are completed and sold. The total amount of funding needed is $272K. This will be repaid upon the sale of each house with interest. We are looking to pay a 6.5% APR for a 6 month term. Both properties (lots) are currently owned with no liens. The property will be used as collateral.

Conclusion:

By supporting this project, donors have the opportunity to transform lives; to become a direct catalyst for change. Your contribution will provide safe & dignified shelter for our population’s elderly and most vulnerable individuals, while fostering independence, community, and personal growth through structured programs. Every donation moves us closer to completing Phase 1 of the tiny house village and ultimately building a thriving community center. With strong collective backing, a clear plan for construction, and a proven alternative funding strategy through Bridge to Hope, your investment will create measurable, lasting impact and help those in need transition from survival to stability. Together, we can turn compassion into action and build a legacy of hope that endures for generations.