A Gift of Dignity

Tubes and an oxygen tank follow Bill Batty everywhere he goes at Hope Ministries’ Bethel Mission facility. But the first thing you notice about Bill is his smile—a smile that encourages you to smile, too!

“The guys here give me a hard time about always walking around with a smile on my face,” he acknowledges. “Not many people in a homeless shelter feel like smiling, so I try to lighten their load with mine.”

Seven years ago, Bill’s smile was hard to find. Broken by addiction and already suffering with respiratory problems, Bill had lost his family and his home. But June 12, 2000, everything changed when he came to Bethel Mission and joined our recovery program. Little by little, he began to hope—and smile—again.

Bill accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and began to grow in his faith. He took on increased responsibility at Hope Ministries, even driving our ministry van to pick up food donations around town. But his physical health continued to decline. By 2003, the struggle just to breathe coupled with a severely limited income made it clear he’d never live on his own again.

“That’s when Hope Ministries offered me Dignitary Housing,” Bill explains. “I pay a stipend each month and they provide me with three meals a day, a private room and clothing.” Hope Ministries’ staff and residents get a cheerful and responsible “dignitary” in return!

“This is good for my faith,” Bill says. “I go to chapel every night and welcome the volunteer chapel leaders and count the offering. I also keep track of the number of meals we serve at Hope Café each day.”

Today, Bill continues to live in our Dignitary Housing, long-term housing provided for gentlemen with disabilities and very limited incomes. “It’s close to doctors’ offices and the hospital. It’s a place where I have an improved quality of life and a positive, affirming environment.”

He’s also reconciled with his family—and revels in the occasional opportunities he has to see them. “They live an hour out of town, but I get a ride up to visit them a couple times a year and I talk to them two or three times a month on the phone,” he says.

This Christmas, Bill looks forward to spending time with his children and grandchildren. “For obvious reasons, Christmas is a happy time and sad time for me. I can’t tell you what a joy it is to be invited to be with my family. A Hope Ministries staff member said he’d make sure I got a ride to see them this year. That shows how much they care about us.”