From Dream to Reality

“My baby boy, he's battling leukemia right now, so once he got diagnosed, I was pretty much behind in everything,” Ebone’ Doyle said the day she moved into her brand-new home in St. Louis with her four children.

“I recently was just facing eviction,” the single mother said. “I’m by myself, no help, no financial help … everything is literally on me.” But thanks to you, Hand of Hope, the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries, was able to make a way for Ebone’ and her children to obtain affordable housing as she supports her son, Zion, through his treatments and gets back on her feet financially.

Months earlier, she had applied to the Affordable Rental Program through Tabernacle Community Church, which partners with Brace for Impact 46—an organization started by former Major League Baseball pitcher Kyle McClellan.

“When my wife and I were looking for an opportunity to get involved in something—I don't think we ever dreamed that we would run a nonprofit,” Kyle said. “We had the opportunity to go on a trip with our friends to Haiti to see something they were involved with, and it was something I've always wanted to do, but never actually took the opportunity to do it because I was busy, or I was playing baseball, or had spring training coming up.”

Through their work in Haiti, Kyle and his wife, Bridget, formed Brace for Impact 46, a name that included his former jersey number. Together with Hand of Hope, Brace for Impact has helped support a transitional home and a feeding program in a local school in Haiti.

Before long, they noticed positive changes in the community in Haiti and knew that it was time to broaden their range of influence to include their own hometown in St. Louis, Missouri. But the McClellans knew they needed to connect with someone locally who knew the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods—and that led them to Andre Alexander, pastor of Tabernacle Community Church.

Together, they have been able to rebuild homes throughout St. Louis, which has allowed them to help families in desperate need—just like Ebone’ and her children. But the Affordable Rental Program is about more than just inexpensive housing; it’s about education, creating a “family plan” that teaches families how to become financially stable, and to set goals for the future.

“One of the core things we're trying to get at is: Does this family, does this mom, does this dad, really want change? Or are they just looking for somewhere to live?” Pastor Andre explained. “Looking for somewhere to live is not bad at all. We can possibly refer you to other resources. But if you’re looking for transformation, if you're looking, wanting change for your children… then you're a good fit.”

And that was when they found Ebone’s application. At first, they didn’t have a house big enough to hold a family of her size, but thanks to the support of partners like you, they were able to rebuild a 4-bedroom duplex in the city that was perfect for the young family.

Three months later, they called her and asked if she was still interested. She readily agreed, and the coming months were a blur of preparation as the house was built. But the day finally came in August of 2024, when she and her children were able to move into their home together!

Thanks to you, Ebone’ now has a safe place to raise her children and help her son beat cancer. “We're in the maintenance section where he gets his medicine at home,” she said, which will be much easier now that he can take his treatments from the comfort of their new house.

I’ve just been counting my blessings,” Ebone’ said. “I sow good seeds, so I know some good has to come back—so I’m just really grateful.”