Bobbi House Dedicated in Honor of: Bobbi Jean Hackney
(See Obituary Below.)
Original Name of our First Shelter: The Alan Runyan Men’s Shelter …a Helping Hand
The Alan Runyan Men’s Shelter – Est. starting year, 2009, this ministry began with the First Christian Church, W. Laurel St., Independence KS 67301. Then-Pastor Terry Hatfield had a vision for the homeless. In 2010, the First Christian Church donated this house to the HSH Homeless Ministry.
HSH’s First Director
John Penrose Served as Director 2008-201
The first logo for HSH was A Helping Hand, in-house made and Board Requested and Approved, September 1, 2011
The first website for HSH was www.homelessmen.org, it was Board Approved and Activated October 21, 2011
Home Sweet Home, Homeless Ministry, LLC was organized on March 15,2010. (Read below the first Introduction to the Homeless Men’s Shelter)
Our First Web Introduction to HSH Homeless Men’s Shelter
Most homeless are not only economically, but spiritually poor; that is, have broken spirits and broken hearts. Like the lost son, some have made bad decisions. Like the lost sheep, some have just wandered away. Like the lost coin, someone else has displaced them. Even our society bears the burden and often the cause of these conditions created by a focus on individual wants, rather than the common good lived out in a just and compassionate culture.
The mission of Home, Sweet, Home Homeless Ministry, LLC is to provide short-term shelter for homeless men; with the goal of assisting our guests to obtain long-term housing, establish mentoring relationships and to secure stable employment. This ministry changes the homeless by providing resources to regain independent living. This ministry also changes those who provide the ministry by fulfilling Jesus’ command of outreach. All of these together, result in systemic change for a better society in which the common good prevails.
Our Story
Home, Sweet, Home ~ Homeless Ministry is a Limited Liability Company under the 301(c)(3) of the Independence First Christian Church. (HSH, LLC has no debt.) With full occupancy (eight men), the weekly budget is around $400/week or $22,000/year. Currently, partial funding is provided by an ESG (Emergency Shelter Grant*). With future government funding sources uncertain, we are attempting to make HSH self-sustaining through community support.
The men’s shelter at Home, Sweet, Home is named after Alan Runyan, a homeless man who resided briefly in Independence a few years ago. Alan awakened the hearts of the First Christian Church to understanding the plight of the homeless and to begin a ministry to them, which eventually led to our men’s shelter on Laurel Street.
HSH ministry has an advisory committee which consists of community and church representatives. A director was appointed who provides organic facility focus and arranges admission and behavioral compliance. The committee meets monthly (1st Thursday) and reviews director’s report, budget and expense report.
Second and Current Director Christopher Mitchell 2012-Present
The Homeless Men’s Shelter was renamed and Dedicated to Bobbi Dean Hackney on August 12th, 2021
Fallen
I tripped, I stumbled, I fell
I reached out my hand to the Lord
He picked me up & He brushed me off
And He held me close to His heart
I looked up at Him with tears in my eyes
And a quiver on my lips
And He said to me, child don’t be afraid
For I am the Savior of all.
Now I walk by His side, holding His hand
Looking so proud & feeling so grand
For I fear no evil with God by my side
I walk with Him now, day & night
7/12/2011 Daniel Dieudonne
Bobbi Jean Hackney April 13, 1956 – December 25, 2020 – Obituary
Bobbi Jean Hackney, 64, passed away Friday, December 25, 2020, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, KS. Born April 13, 1956, at Coldwater, KS, she was the daughter of Robert Dean and Phyllis Jean (Harris) Hackney.
Bobbi was a longtime resident of Comanche County, KS, recently living in Independence, KS. She attended Wilmore Grade School, graduated from Coldwater High School in 1974, and attended NWOSU in Alva, OK. On June 2, 1974, she married Danny Huck at Wilmore, KS. They were later divorced after 35 years of marriage.
Bobbi was a member of the Antioch Community Church; Comanche County Fair Association; and 4-H Leader, teaching photography. She was an amateur historian, specializing in Comanche County History and cemetery research through roots web. She enjoyed bowling, riding horses, chasing bulls, storm chasing, and was an avid supporter of her kid’s athletic events. She worked as a surgical-tech at Comanche County Hospital for many years; was a full partner at Huck & Huck Feeders and Custom Hay Operation; was a para for USD #300; was a photographer, specializing in rodeo and sports photos; and most recently was administrative assistant for Home Sweet Home Ministries Homeless Shelter in Independence, KS.
She is survived by one son: C.J. Huck of Avila Beach, CA; one daughter: Casey Huck of Coldwater, KS; one sister: Beverly Malone (Keith) of Coldwater, KS; two brothers: Lane Hackney of Wilmore, KS and Skip Hackney (Jim Wilson) of Minneapolis, MN; four grandchildren: Bri, Rylee, & Jase Rutherford and Randall Braziel; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
Visitation with family present is from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, Coldwater, KS.
Funeral service is at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 31, 2020, at Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, Coldwater, KS. Burial will follow the funeral service at Crown Hill Cemetery in Coldwater, KS.
