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Date: 12/18/2023
PALMER — When asked about the mission of outreach organization My Father’s House, founder Pastor Jack Desroches said simply “to help men change their lives.”
He emphasized that the property, located in Thorndike at 4058 Church St., is not a homeless shelter but a place for men to go when they are ready to stop everything to better their lives. The property provides residential and spiritual services for up to seven men at a time but offers support to anyone who reaches out in need, Desroches explained in an interview.
My Father’s House is an interdenominational Christian-centered outreach organization from nonprofit Milestone Ministries, Desroches stated. It functions as a retreat location for men across the region to seek help after struggling with addiction, homelessness or other issues. Over the course of an individualized program, each man who is accepted into the home learns to become self-sufficient through spiritual, educational, job-focused and family-focused classes, Desroches said.
The property includes a renovated mansion purchased in 2009 and the Barn, an old carriage house that now functions as a chapel. Both buildings were fully renovated by the attendees and volunteers. The house’s staff works 24 hours a day and all services are funded by community donations, as well as support from past attendees, Desroches said.
“The men who come here, they come from all different places,” he explained. “Some come right from the street, and some come from jail, some come from hospitals … they come from all over. We’ve had everything from high-end medical staff to homeless people come here. You don’t have to be homeless to come here.”
Support comes at no cost to participants. However, all men who live at the home are required to remain at the house for the first 30 days in order to reconnect with themselves through group devotionals, bible studies and prayer. After 30 days, participants can freely leave the property but must find work to begin saving money for life after the organization, Desroches stated.
For men struggling with addiction, the house does not offer detox services. Rather, the staff works to connect men with services before they live at the house. In this way, the house is able to maintain a rule that men cannot be high or drunk, Desroches said.
Beyond addiction, many men who utilize My Father’s House were once homeless. “In the town of Palmer, you’ve got a consistent and persistent homeless problem, but we’ve become used to it,” Desroches said, stating that the organization has worked to connect people to resources whenever requested but that any help is always the person’s choice. He estimated that the organization has helped “in the thousands” of people since opening in 2009.
Desroches explained that homelessness can look different for each person, whether they are living on the street, or in a shelter or on a friend’s couch. While My Father’s House does not have the ability to take in homeless people as a shelter does, Desroches emphasized that homeless people in in Palmer “know where they can call if they’re really hurting.”
While only men can live at the house, the organization also supports women, Desroches highlighted. He explained that his wife, Tammy Desroches, often communicates with women in need and helps to provide services, such as hosting tea events at the Barn, sharing a phone call, keeping them company or going shopping for them. In addition, women are also included in the organization’s public events, like religious services, married couple events and prayer times.
“We’re here and we’re available,” Desroches emphasized. “We don’t sell beds … [but] we’re able to help by phone a lot or they’ll come here and visit with us. So, you’ve got a boyfriend, you got a husband, someone who is really in trouble; okay, come on, let’s talk.”
For more information about My Father’s House or to seek services, contact Desroches at 413-289-6766 or visit milestoneministry.com/my-fathers-house. Desroches also suggested resources such as Food Share Inc. located at 39 Walnut St. and Way Finders in Springfield as additional support. Contact Food Share at 413-283-3614 and Way Finders at 413-233-1500.