A Christian woman was inspired to build a school for homeless kids after she volunteered at Union Rescue Mission.
Volunteering at Union Rescue Mission
Hattie Mitchell, founder of Crete Academy, shares with Joy Ahn Ngu, the co-host of Equipping the Saints show, the story behind the school she established for homeless kids. When she was around 5 years old, Hattie already felt a sense of compassion and empathy for the homeless. That feeling grew when she experienced an unforgettable moment while volunteering at Union Rescue Mission. She visited the heart of Skid Row in Los Angeles and was shocked by what she saw.
“There were tents and boxes, and it looked like a third world country, yeah, here in L.A,” she recalled. When she finished volunteering, she walked outside the mission and saw a baby girl on the ground who was about six months old, crawling around her mother. And that moment left a significant impact on her life.
“I remember thinking, you know this little girl has a dream. She has a purpose. She has gifts. And the chances of those things ever coming to fruition because of her circumstances are slim to none,” she shared. Hattie believed that the changing factor in that little girl’s life was education. Since that day, she dedicated her life to education and helping homeless kids.
GODTV (Screenshot). (2022). GOD TV, Teaching Homeless Kids To Dream Again. Retrieved September 27, 2023 from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQpZWIEhoqs
School for the Homeless Kids
Hattie went through extensive education and schooling in order to build the Crete Academy. According to her, the word “Crete” means “to create” in the Greek language. “The belief is that if you can take hold of the resources and education that we provide, you can create your own future despite your circumstances,” she explained. The Crete Academy’s mission is to serve the kids who are homeless. However, they are also considered as a public charter school, so they also serve anyone who comes to their doors.
Hattie believes that helping the homeless kids through education is what God has called her to do. “I wake up in the morning. It’s like this is my God-given destiny, so, therefore, it’s blessed,”” she said.
Watch the full video here.
Reference | GOD TV
Header Image: GODTV (Screenshot). (2022). GOD TV, Teaching Homeless Kids To Dream Again. Retrieved September 27, 2023 from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQpZWIEhoqs