WS Chronicle

Whole Man Ministries (WMM) has been attacking the unhoused veteran issue head on for several years. Their most recent project took nearly a year to complete and is now move-in ready for another homeless veteran.

Dworn Ricks Sr. has been selected as the veteran to receive the home on Thurmond St. in Winston-Salem and WMM Senior Pastor Barry Washington is excited to have Ricks move in after the tedious selection process.

“We had about four candidates that we received from a number of veteran organizations such as Veteran Affairs, Veterans Helping Veterans, The Salvation Army and others,” said Washington. “He is a good guy and he is excited about having the place. Being displaced and homeless is hard for anyone and he is excited about it.”

The process of rebuilding the house took a lot longer than Washington anticipated because of a lack of funds. Even though it was slow moving, he is thankful it is finished and is appreciative to all of the workers and volunteers that assisted on the project.

“It was a long journey here. It actually took us 11 months to do this because we rely on volunteers and funding,” he said. “We got to a point where we couldn’t go any further, but we had a couple come along and agree to fund the final leg of the process.

“That road is something when it comes to renovating one of these properties. We are a nonprofit organization so we do rely on the public, we rely on funds, we rely on donations, and we rely on volunteers and we were fortunate that we were able to bring this to pass.”

Tom and Julie Dubuisson was the couple who assisted Washington with the final expenses on the project. Mr. Dubuisson also volunteered countless hours of his time by doing general contracting work in the home.  

Making that phone call to Ricks that he had been selected as the recipient of the home brought a lot of joy for Washington.

“It narrowed down to two veterans and I interviewed them and brought them before the board. When we finally made the selection for this particular veteran, I felt good because I knew what it was going to do for him,” said Washington about the selection process. “After talking to his case manager, they talked so highly of Ricks and I was happy.”

Now that he has a permanent residence, Ricks says this is a moment that he has been waiting on for quite some time. Ricks is an Army veteran from Trinity, North Carolina, but has made Winston-Salem his home and is happy to have a home of his own.

“I felt like it was a dream come true,” said Ricks. “I think it was a blessing when I met Mr. Washington. Things happen and they happen quick and I was thrilled to death to receive this.

“I loved everything about the house, especially the bathroom, because I used to do carpentry work. It was a pleasant and wonderful thing to happen for me. Everything is lovely in there. It makes me feel like there is hope for all veterans through this program that he is doing.”

Washington and WMM will quickly move on to their next project, which is the home next door. WMM will be renovating that residence for another veteran to move into. They will begin demolition on the inside of the home this week and are looking for volunteers and funding to assist with the project. Anyone looking to donate time or funds, please contact Whole Man Ministries through their website at www.wholemanministries.com or call 336-785-2080.