The SPA: New Beginnings, One Woman At A Time
ELKHART — Too many women live bludgeoned, self-loathing lives resulting from childhood molestation, sexual assault, domestic violence and substance abuse.
But for more than two decades, SPA Women’s Ministry Homes has been opening an exit door out of that dismal cul-de-sac of despair.
The Ministry
SPA, which stands for Spiritual and Personal Adjustments, opened its doors in 1998 under the name Repairer of Broken Walls. The ministry changed its name in 2002.
The ministry’s mission statement is: “A Christ-centered, residential treatment program that empowers women to address the root causes of life-controlling issues and addictions in order to live productive lives of recovery.”
The 12-month, 24/7 supervised program is open to women at least 18 years old, and consists of four levels: adjustment, learning/inner healing, employment and transitioning.
Components of the holistic program include group and individual Bible study, recovery groups, life skills training, financial management, nutrition education, physical fitness and community events and activities.
SPA is not a medical facility and does not allow narcotics or addictive substances or provide detox services.
Program services are free to the residents, though there is a reasonable charge for room and board on a sliding scale. With a current 12-bed capacity, the ministry presently serves about 60 women a year and more than 650 women since its founding.
The Effects
Tiffany’s mom was an addict, her dad an alcoholic. “By the time I was 12, all my little heart knew was I wanted to be loved,” she said in a glowing testimony of her life-changing involvement with SPA.
Pregnant at age 14 by a 30-year-old man, she endured many years of domestic abuse and drug addiction. “I lost my job, my house and even my children.”
Tiffany checked into SPA’s residence and found “11 sisters and a house full of staff who surround me with love and acceptance. I feel so much support from people who sincerely want me to succeed.”
As a result, she said, “I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, am learning who I really am as a person, and am turning into the mother my boys always needed.”
Alexandra grew up in an exemplary Catholic home. “I had incredible parents and the world’s best brother,” she said.
But during a summer trip after her seventh-grade year, “I was introduced to a world of sexual abuse and drugs” by a cousin and her boyfriend. She was further traumatized by her father’s suicide when she was 14.
Throughout high school and for several years after, her escalating cycle of drinking, drug use, blackouts, and beatings at the hands of boyfriends culminated in a suicide attempt.
She was “warmly welcomed into the SPA family” and quit drugs in May 2019. “Christ began changing everything I ever knew about life. He revealed his truth to me and explained that he is a lover, not a fighter. He’s the father I had all along and never knew about.
“He equipped me with a brand new state-of-the-art heart that comes packed with boundaries, self-worth and understanding.
“The SPA is packed full of women who are walking miracles, examples of God’s deep love and mercy,” she said.
New Building
“SPA is in the process of building a 9,000-square-foot addition to add 21 beds to the ministry,” said Carrie Zickefoose, SPA’s executive director.
The new $1.1 million facility will distill its operations from its four present campuses to one administrative location. “The building is projected to be completed by April 2020 and $60,000 is needed to complete the project debt free,” said Zickefoose.
Annual Banquet
SPA will hold its “Dinner & Delicacies” annual banquet at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at Center Six One Five, 2707 CR 15, Elkhart.
The cost is $35 per individual or $280 to sponsor a table.
Pastor Gil Michel of That Church Downtown in South Bend will emcee the program.
Proceeds will be used for residential treatment, transitional housing and aftercare.
Reservations may be made by Monday, Feb. 3, by calling Karen Green at (574) 522-8338 or visiting www.spaministryhomes.org.
Needs
“SPA is always looking for individuals, businesses and churches to get involved as volunteers, financial partners and mentors,” said Zickefoose. “Readers can also check out our registries at Target, Walmart and Amazon under ‘SPA Ministry Homes’ where they can purchase items needed to furnish our new building.”
Donations can be made via the “Donate Now” button at www.spaministryhomes.org or can be mailed to 23221 Old US 20 E., Elkhart, IN, 46516. To help pay for the new building, write “Building Campaign” in the memo line.