Kayte Thistlethwaite is the Hannah House Hostess & currently in her second year with Good Works. When her position with Good Works through AmeriCorps ended in July '07, she wasn't quite ready to leave her beloved staff and the new friends she had made through Friday Night Life, Senior Care and computer classes. Thankfully, she's blessed with the love of extending hospitality.
This fit great with GW's need of new Hannah House residential staff. Presto change-o! Kayte became the first "hostess."
Kayte considers it a privilege to prepare for, welcome and tend to the needs of GW interns, short-term mission teams, volunteers and out of town guests and potentially, Life-In-Transition residents at the Hannah House. Together they help make up the Good Works "Community of HOPE." It is a community that is united by its dependence on God's provision through the giving and "giftings" of many, many "ordinary" yet extraordinary people!
"I sometimes act like my efforts to know God can be successful outside of community. But, how can God possibly be pleased with me if I am not concerned for and therefore, care for my community?" Kayte says.
Kayte has lived in Athens since coming to Ohio University for school in 2001. She is an artist at heart who enjoys arts & crafts, music, baking, and talking over coffee. Outside of Good Works, she helps led Catholic Student Outreach by preparing weekly meals for this group. Kayte is training for Cincinnati's Flying Pig Marathon with co-workers Anne & Amanda and her dachshund Susanna, who often gets to tag along on runs.
Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired." -Mother Teresa
Aspire not to have more, but to be more. -Oscar Romero
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." -Jesus Christ
Here are some articles Kayte has written:
Zoning Board Conflict
1/15/08
Thomas Edison is said to have stated, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it dresses in overalls and look like work." In a like manner, conflict which takes "work" is often not seen as opportunity though it certainly can be the starting point of desirable change. I'd even venture to say that conflict between two parties, whether resolved or not, can sharpen the perspectives of third party observers and can even promote unity within the larger community.
Several months ago, our organization came into conflict with the Athens City Council over zoning regulations that prohibited Good Works from annexing 91-93 Central Ave. to the Timothy House via use of a corridor. The conflict arose over past stipulations the City Council board has made regarding Good Works expansion and also over the Z-1 guidelines that govern this property. Supporters of the proposed plans of Good Works wrote over 70 letters to council voicing their concern for Athens homeless families who would be served by the additional space for the emergency shelter. When the City Counsel voted 5 - 0 to not waive zoning regulations in favor of Good Works, a clear question was posed by Good Works director, Keith Wasserman's Athens News editorial to the city: "How does Athens plan to handle the increase in homeless families?" Before this point, the Athens community was living in a state of maintaining the status quo.
It took conflict between city zoning regulations and the proposed plans of Good Works in order for the issue of homelessness to be brought to the public through news media.
These past few months since the infamous City Council Zoning Meeting have seen the creation of a special interest group of clergymen who are assembling with the intent to address homelessness in Athens. These past 27 years, Good Works has been wrestling homelessness, but thanks in large part to our recent conflict, our "third party observers" have become active, more unified participants. Let us not avoid conflict for it affords us great opportunity.
"Thank You"
2/19/08
Hi, I'm Kayte Thistlethwaite, and I am the Hannah House Hostess. The Hannah House is the home-base for short-term mission teams who come to Good Works to serve the poor. It's also where our interns stay as they dedicate a set time in their lives for leadership development and discipleship through serving the most vulnerable people in society.
This is a place of biblical hospitality. Henri Nouwen stated that "Hospitality means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy." He said, it's "not to change people but to offer them space where change can take place."
Each year over 35 groups, totaling 400-500 people of all ages, come to stay at the Hannah House in order to volunteer their time and abilities to serving the elderly, persons with disabilities and widows of SE Ohio. While here, individuals have the opportunity to gain God's perspective on the poor and to better understand the Kingdom of God in relation to the poor.
By God's grace, your financial and prayerful support has allowed me and others to offer a welcoming place for strangers to become friends. It is in serving the poor that we have a chance to become vessels of the Lord's care and concern for all people. Thank you for your contribution to this mission.
