Transformational mission

A single question from a group of teens shook the foundations of Jack Crowley's life: "Just tell us now, when will you be leaving?" A recent college graduate, Jack had his life mapped out and planned to serve two years at Water Street Mission. With resignation, the teens recounted to Jack how many people had left them.

He says, “What I learned from the teens – what's most impactful – isn't the Bible stories we tell or the programs we put on – but it's about being a faithful presence.” More than 30 years later, Jack, now president of Water Street Mission, continues to believe that faithful presence rooted in Christ’s love is the foundation of both his and the mission’s calling.

Water Street Mission meets guests at their moment of greatest need with practical hope: providing nights of shelter, meals, medical and dental visits, groceries, transitional housing, youth programs and more. But the mission's greatest impact comes when the staff serves guests with dignity, as image-bearers of God. Water Street Mission responds to Christ's love and walks “with neighbors who are experiencing marginalization and poverty, trusting Christ to transform lives and restore hope.” They believe we’re “Restored to be restorers.”

A tour of Water Street Mission reveals the team’s commitment to expressing guests’ human dignity in words, actions and the welcoming design of their facilities. Jack says, "We create community and places where relationships can happen . . . We walk with people and build trust."

Impact happens one relationship at a time. One guest says, “Before I came to Water Street, I was... heading nowhere. I was heading to my death. But now that I found Water Street, I got something to live for.”

Everence is pleased to support Water Street Mission through managing and helping to grow their endowment and through planned giving support. Jack says, “When we made the decision to go with Everence, we saw the trust they had in the community. Many people trust Everence and know the impact of Water Street Mission.”