Over twenty years ago, as consciousness was raised among inner city churches about the needs of the urban poor, Westminster Presbyterian Church, in which Advent House is housed, began outreach efforts in the northwest section of Lansing. This outreach was called Community Outreach Neighborhood Activities (CONA). It included a Saturday lunch meal for the needy, after school programs for children and youth, and weekly meetings of a "Golden Group" for older community residents. In 1987, this outreach effort was incorporated as a separate non-profit organization called Advent House Ministries. The community efforts of Advent House grew as the more specific needs for weekend day shelter and meals, development of basic life- and job-skills, and the need for decent temporary housing for the homeless became apparent. The result is our present day programming: Weekend Day Shelter, Shelter Homes, Good Work! Employment, and Tenant Based Rental Assistance. Advent House has continually evolved since its inception so as to continue to bring aid to the needy in an effective and timely manner.

Advent House has always been faith-based but has never believed in proselytizing. Although the roots of Advent House are in the Presbyterian Church, the programs have drawn on the entire community for support. Presently that includes a number of Christian churches, the Hindu temple, and one of the Jewish synagogues, as well as community groups. Since its inception, Advent House Ministries has been an active participant in the Greater Lansing Homeless Resolution Network, a collaborative of area agencies, involving all the services focused on serving the homeless in the Lansing area. This group is the Continuum of Care for the Lansing/East Lansing/Ingham County area and reviews and applies for funding collectively with fiduciary assistance from the City of Lansing. Advent House has had the support of this group in our pursuit of funding for our programs; currently, we serve as the monthly meeting place for the Network and have held a leadership role, as Susan Cancro, AHM Executive Director, is the past Chairperson of this group.

President- Nancy A. Wonch

Vice President- John W. Hearns

Secretary- Mary Kay Scullion

Treasurer- Michele L. Halloran

Patricia A. Cummings

Bonita Pope Curry

Amy S. Grahm

L. Margaret Groves

Ron Holley

Debbie Horak

Mary Lou Keenon

Nick Lynch

Robbia M. Pipper

Hilton T. Thomas, PhD.

William Woods