For ten years, the staff and residents of the Russellville Dream Center have worked to improve their own lives through a Christian-based recovery program.
They also strive to improve the lives of others in their community through service projects and their outreach program. The latest example came Saturday when Dream Center residents painted a building at the corner of Franklin and North Jackson Avenue. The building, owned by Wayne Miller, is used as a church.
City officials approached Dream Center senior pastor/director Shawn Reathford to see if his residents would be willing to do the work, and they quickly committed to the project.
“It’s just part of giving back to the community,” Reathford said. “We’re doing a lot of downtown remodeling. We’re working with a contractor at the new restaurant going in downtown. We’re doing all the construction other than the major electric and plumbing. We’re working on the framing and contract work there.”
Reathford said his residents and staff enjoy giving back to the community that has helped support the program for a decade now. While there were some doubters early on, the Dream Center has proven itself to be a valuable program both for its residents and for Franklin County.
“I think to be here ten years has proven a lot to some people who didn’t believe we’d still be here,” Reathford said. “The longer you stick with it and the longer you prove yourself, the more credibility and character you have.”
With 23 residents and nine staff members, the Dream Center is a six-month Christian life recovery program that provides food, clothing and residency for men and women wanting to get their lives back on track by applying Biblical truths. The Dream Center focuses on recovery from alcohol and substance abuse addiction.
“Our vision is to impact the issues of substance abuse, moral decay, homelessness and poverty that exist in our city and surrounding communities,” reads the Dream Center website, www.russellvilledreamcenter.net.
Founded in 2007, the Dream Center also hosts regular clothing and food drives for the community. Twice a month, Dream Center residents do a community outreach at Westside and Eastside Apartments that includes a clothing and food giveaway.
Reathford said being civic-minded is part of the recovery process and helps his residents feel a part of their community.
“They are learning how to give back and how to be grateful for what they have been given,” Reathford said. “This is something they do with excellence and pride.”
Russellville mayor David Grissom said he appreciates Reathford and the Dream Center residents for helping improve the look of their downtown.
“They are always willing to help in any way we need assistance,” Grissom said. “I want to thank Shawn, his staff and residents for all they have done to improve the beauty of Russellville.”
The lift used in the job was donated by Tommy Davis and MS Industries.
