HOSPITALITY HOUSE

WAS A

Ministry to families and friends of prisoners


MINISTRY CLOSED NOVEMBER 1, 2024


I was saddened by the news of the Hospitality House closing after 38 years of service to Illinois Prisoner families from all over the country and the world. I was the Director of the Hospitality House from March 2013 until August 2015, when my husband was transferred from Tamms Supermax to the Nevada DOC. I followed him out to Nevada but sadly, had to give up my amazing position at the Hospitality House. One of the best memories I have is working with the incredible Board of Directors who were so generous and kind to me. I also made many lifelong friends who were the families of inmates who visited regularly.  I am still in touch with many today, 11years later. It was an important charitable organization that provided so much to so many. It makes me so sad that this chapter of my life and many others has closed forever.

They’ve been many directors over those 38 years and I’ve had other jobs over my lifetime, but that one was one of the best I’ve had. I loved the human connection with others walking in my shoes. It brought me comfort and a sense of belonging as well as joy and fulfillment. But I also know how much and how long the Board has struggled to make ends meet. Over the years since I left, and particularly during the pandemic, visitors staying at the Hospitality House had drop significantly resulting in a lot of difficulty paying for repairs for that big old house on top of the monthly expenses. The pandemic also resulted in video visits which meant that, after the pandemic, visitors no longer had to drive six hours from Chicago to visit their loved ones anymore.  All that contributed to the end of one of the most beautiful and helpful blessings in the lives of many of the inmates at Menard, Pinckneyville and Tamms for many, many years. 

My heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Fr. Leo Hayes, Mark and MaryAnn Horstmann and Doris Thomson for allowing me to be a part of this amazing family, to all the beautiful and loving people who stayed at the Hospitality House over the years and for all the memories in my heart from this very special and happy time in my life.

Gayle Ayala
HH Director 2011-2013

Hospitality House         

Chester, IL  62233

Email: hospitalityhousechester@gmail.com

Share our website:  http://hospitalityhouse.yolasite.com



 


 

  Brief History

          The Hospitality House (Hebrews 13:2-3), Inc. was located in Chester, Illinois, and began providing overnight lodging to prisoner families and friends in July, 1986.  The Hospitality House was a two-story house with four bedrooms, three baths, kitchen, lounge, and two rooms which served as living quarters for a House Director.  Over 31,344 guests have stayed at the Hospitality House since 1986.  Hospitality House's purpose was to provide overnight lodging at a low cost to the guest.  A kitchen was available to use if so desired.  Hospitality House also has a stocked pantry for guest use. There are two institutions in Chester which the Hospitality House serves; Menard Correctional Institutions (Maximum and medium security) and  Chester Mental Health, plus Pinckneyville Correctional Center which is approximately 30 miles to the northeast.  The Hospitality House was managed by a five member board and a resident house manager who lived on site.  The Hospitality House was run solely on donations  from guests, individuals, organizations, churches, and grants.  Many people volunteered time and supplies to keep open the Hospitality House  for 38 years. 

      Sadly, the Hospitality House located in Chester, Illinois, CLOSED as a ministry to prisoner families and friends on November 1, 2024. 

 

 Hospitality House

 Celebrated 38 Years!

    The Hospitality House (Hebrews 13:2-3) Inc. celebrated thirty-eight years of  ministry  to prisoner friends and families this July, 2024.   Hospitality House has provided lodging to more than 31,344 guests since it opened in July, 1986.  We thank a long list of local individuals, churches, businesses, Menard prison, and various organizations for a myriad of donations and efforts in maintaining this hospitality ministry where it was vitally needed for 38 years.  On November 1, 2024, the Hospitality House ministry located in Chester, Illinois, CLOSED. 

  Thank you and God bless.

----------------------

Prayer For Inmates Who Are In Prison
“Heavenly Father, I bring before you the many men who are incarcerated behind prison
bars and have been deprived of their freedom due to their many and various crimes.
Father, you alone know the heart of each one and the reason why they are imprisoned.
And you alone are the one that can bring these men to repentance, and to a saving faith in
the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Father, you alone can convict these people of their crimes and we pray for each one,
knowing your Son died to pay the full punishment for each of their sins. And Lord,
although it is only right that men face the consequences of their crimes, I pray that they
will come to an understanding that in Christ their sins may be forgiven. And that each one
will come to true repentance by trusting in the Lord, Jesus as their Savior.
I pray you would send into the different prisons around the country and, indeed the world,
those who would minister to these men in their need. And tell them of Christ and the
wonderful forgiveness of sins that comes from Him alone. Have mercy on each one. I pray
in Jesus' name. Amen.”
written by Chuck Dinger

From:  God's Special Time

April 2024 Newsletter


 

Make a free website with Yola