Anne Willis

ASHEBORO - Children flock to Anne Willis and follow her everywhere.She could be called the Pied Piper of Asheboro.Or you could liken her to a good shepherd tending her flock.

Willis is the director of MultiHousing Ministries of Asheboro (MHMA), a nonprofit, faith-based organization whose goal is to meet the needs of multi-housing communities in the greater Asheboro area.

"We unify the efforts of community outreach by partnering with civic organizations, church groups, local agencies and volunteers who share the vision to meet the "holistic" needs of individuals," said Willis."We are here to meet the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of people in the community."

What is "multi-housing"?

Multi-housing consists of all areas except single-family dwellings, including apartment communities, mobile home communities, condominiums, nursing homes, and senior adult living areas.

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"John Rogers, the pastor at First Baptist Church in Asheboro, came up with the idea in 1994, when he started a march against drugs in the area," Willis said."He asked himself what that would mean and how to make it happen.

"He got support from the N.C. Baptist Convention and in 1997, MHMA was started."

MHMA's first director was Paula Settle, who served for 1 1/2 years before Willis was hired for the position.
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"Last week we had 74 children who participated in our programs," said Willis."The week before we had 96.

"When I came to Asheboro in 2001 to get to know the community and what it was about, the big push was the drug summit.At MHMA, we are on the front line and are right in the environment where it happens.We go right to where these folks live to try to instill moral principles that help, in the long run, develop good community members."

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"We had over 200 people register for the block party that day," said Willis."It's all about building that relationship and the only way to do that is to physically go out and meet them and help meet their needs."

The projected budget for next year for the six sites is $68,000.The budget for 2002 was $47,000, which unfortunately was not met.

"Over half of our budget comes from community gifts and it all goes toward our operating cost, program costs, furniture, equipment and supplies.
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"Right now, we are working on delivering Thanksgiving meals we prepare with donated foods to families in the multi-housing areas," said Willis."We prep the food on Nov. 26 at First Baptist Church and put it together and deliver it Thanksgiving Day.

"We ask everyone in the community to get involved in this, even if it is just by dropping off a can of green beans or yams or stuffing mix.Our deadline for food drop-off is Nov. 26 and we need cooked turkeys, uncooked rolls, and pies brought to the church on Thanksgiving morning.

"Last year, we delivered meals to over 300 people in the multi-housing areas."
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Willis said that people in the multi-housing areas have been very receptive to MHMA and have come to realize that it is not just another social service, but is in the community to meet needs.

"Most of the people we have encountered, especially the Hispanic population, are very gracious toward us and want to help us give back to the community," said Willis."We don't ever turn anyone away.

The Kiwanis Club gave MHMA a $1,000 donation last week toward its work with children.

"We are still seeking churches and organizations to sponsor or adopt four of the six sites that we run," added Willis."We want to provide continuous quality programs at all six locations.

"We do what we do because of our faith in Jesus Christ and someday hope MHMA will become self-supported."

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To make a donation to MHMA or to help with putting together the Thanksgiving meal, call Anne Willis, MHMA Director at 625-6018.For additional information, volunteer opportunities, or to schedule a presentation, contact Anne Willis.

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Copyright 2002, Stephens Media Group

That's the message from Anne Willis, director at MultiHousing Ministries of Asheboro (MHMA).

"A lot of that type of activity comes out of boredom," she said."When children and youth have a direction and support of someone who believes in them, they rise to the occasion to be better people and positive contributors to their community."

From church youth groups and 4-H clubs to programs like MHMA, the Boys & Girls Club and Big Brother/Big Sister, all with offices in the Asheboro area, young people have somewhere to go - and an alternative to "hangin' out" with a gang, officials from those programs say.

That those programs are having some impact can be witnessed in comments from several students, ranging in age from 12-16, who were interviewed recently at MHMA.

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"We are actually going up and cleaning up some apartments during April in the Lakeview area that have been sprayed with graffiti," Willis said."Remember - the kids said that many people just 'act' like they are in gangs by talking about beating up others and flashing signs, but there does not seem to be any organized effort to my knowledge."

Alternatives for youth

MHMA offers many alternatives for youth in the Asheboro and Randleman areas.

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"Children make crafts, play educational and scripture-story based games, listen to Bible stories, answer questions, learn Bible verses and achieve goals of learning," Willis said."They learn manners, morals and responsibility.

"We want kids and youth to have a positive alternative to 'hanging out in the street' and having nothing to do.We give them positive places to be and things to do by teaching and training better students and community members.We are also bringing up future community and country leaders.We have some very intelligent children and youth who are full of potential.
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What does Willis think that her programs are doing that keeps the kids coming back each week?

"These teenagers find that Teen Time is their time," Willis said."They know they have a place to belong that gets them out of the house."

Willis said the youth are finding acceptance and support through the MHMA leadership as well as with each other.
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Willis said Taylor's role as a co-leader shows these teens that she is "in it for the long haul" with them.

Teen Time also gives the youth positive peer pressure, Willis believes.The youth who attend help develop the rules and guidelines of their group and hold each other accountable to those guidelines.Their parents read and sign contracts which allow them to be involved in the program and support it as well.

"The way to keep MHMA involved and functioning is dependent on the hands-on involvement and financial support of volunteers and community leaders," Willis said."We appreciate everything local churches, groups and individuals are already doing to change Asheboro for the better."

'Big' opportunity

Big Brothers & Big Sisters of the Central Piedmont (BBBS) also aims to make a positive difference in the lives of children.