Offering a Hand Up in the Name of Jesus.
HISTORY:
New Dawn Shelter (NDS) began as a vision for helping the people of Gladwin County and the surrounding areas. Seeing a need, Pastor Phil Hortop of the Gladwin Free Methodist Church and pastors at other churches in the community began to meet to find a way to address issues concerning homelessness. A steering committee was formed believing that a community is at its best when it works to help people not just make it through the day but when it equips and empowers people to become a part of the greater community.
In small communities like ours it is hard to see homelessness. Many people end up living in the woods, in storage units, in empty buildings or even in cars. Our local pastors have met with many people over the years that did not know where they were going to stay for the night. A typical response was that many local churches would pay for hotel rooms for a few nights knowing that that didn’t address the reason for a person’s homelessness. A natural conclusion to address these issues was to develop a homeless shelter in Gladwin County. NDS opened in January of 2015 as a faith-based, non-profit organization with an emphasis of intense case management with guests. The shelter serves three rural counties: Gladwin, Clare & Arenac. We focus on the principle that through Jesus Christ all things are possible and we believe this is the starting point for recovery and restoration.
In 2024, New Dawn Shelter obtained an independent 501c3 to assure sustainability for those experiencing homelessness. New Dawn continues to partner with community churches, local businesses and community service agencies & stands ready to help our neighbors in need.
FOCUS:
We work with local agencies to help guests get whatever they need in order to secure a job and housing. Guests have 90 days to work with our case management staff and make a plan for moving forward toward an end goal of having housing, income and security. Guests participate in trainings that include learning how to make a budget and manage money. It is our goal to assist every guest in being successful and to care for themselves and their families when they leave New Dawn Shelter.
FACILITY:
New Dawn has four bedrooms that allow us to house 10 to 12 people in various combinations of men, women and families. The Shelter operates on a budget of $75,870.00 a year which covers the cost of guest needs, staffing, and the care and upkeep of the building. The average cost to house one guest is $18.40 per day. New Dawn Shelter does not receive any state or federal funding. We are funded solely by the donations of individuals, businesses and churches in Gladwin and the surrounding communities.
New Dawn Shelter (NDS) began as a vision for helping the people of Gladwin County and the surrounding areas. Seeing a need, Pastor Phil Hortop of the Gladwin Free Methodist Church and pastors at other churches in the community began to meet to find a way to address issues concerning homelessness. A steering committee was formed believing that a community is at its best when it works to help people not just make it through the day but when it equips and empowers people to become a part of the greater community.
In small communities like ours it is hard to see homelessness. Many people end up living in the woods, in storage units, in empty buildings or even in cars. Our local pastors have met with many people over the years that did not know where they were going to stay for the night. A typical response was that many local churches would pay for hotel rooms for a few nights knowing that that didn’t address the reason for a person’s homelessness. A natural conclusion to address these issues was to develop a homeless shelter in Gladwin County. NDS opened in January of 2015 as a faith-based, non-profit organization with an emphasis of intense case management with guests. The shelter serves three rural counties: Gladwin, Clare & Arenac. We focus on the principle that through Jesus Christ all things are possible and we believe this is the starting point for recovery and restoration.
In 2024, New Dawn Shelter obtained an independent 501c3 to assure sustainability for those experiencing homelessness. New Dawn continues to partner with community churches, local businesses and community service agencies & stands ready to help our neighbors in need.
FOCUS:
We work with local agencies to help guests get whatever they need in order to secure a job and housing. Guests have 90 days to work with our case management staff and make a plan for moving forward toward an end goal of having housing, income and security. Guests participate in trainings that include learning how to make a budget and manage money. It is our goal to assist every guest in being successful and to care for themselves and their families when they leave New Dawn Shelter.
FACILITY:
New Dawn has four bedrooms that allow us to house 10 to 12 people in various combinations of men, women and families. The Shelter operates on a budget of $75,870.00 a year which covers the cost of guest needs, staffing, and the care and upkeep of the building. The average cost to house one guest is $18.40 per day. New Dawn Shelter does not receive any state or federal funding. We are funded solely by the donations of individuals, businesses and churches in Gladwin and the surrounding communities.
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The Core Values Of New Dawn Shelter:
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The Mission Statement of New Dawn Shelter:
Through God’s power we will help people heal and dream anew. 
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The following verse has served as an inspiration to our staff and organizers:
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and unite the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:6-8
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and unite the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:6-8
