HEATHER BOONE

A Monroe homeless shelter is in jeopardy of permanently shutting down if it doesn't get help from an agency that will assist with mental health cases.

Several area agencies started meeting Friday to make plans for the Feb. 17 closing of the Oaks Homeless Shelter.

“People have been so gracious and so helpful…,” Boone said. “But sadly, (for) county board funding, there has been no help to support Oaks.”

IHM Leadership Council: Support Oaks Shelter

Pastor Heather Boone spoke at a prayer service to honor Martin Luther King Jr. this week at the IHM Motherhouse.

Doors at Oaks Homeless Shelter, 1018 E. Second St., will close Feb. 17 unless mental health support services and resources are made available.

A march, presentation, film and more will mark Diversity Week at Monroe County Community College.

Heather Boone, pastor at Oaks of Righteousness, will speak at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Service at the IHM Motherhouse.

What’s the strangest thing you ever found under the tree? For me, it was a severely mentally ill homeless man.

A Monroe County pastor has been making a difference in her community for years, and now she’s set to go on an adventure to reunite a man with his long-lost family.

Unless the cancer of our own neglect is completely removed, it continues to spread and apathy is the resulting condition.

The Monroe Public Schools Board of Education appointed Dr. Scott Behrens to be its newest member at a special meeting on August 11.

The Monroe Public Schools Board of Education is accepting applications to fill the remaining term of former trustee Pastor Heather Boone.

Monroe Public Schools Board of Education will expand its search for a superintendent after Dr. Julie Everly announced she still intends to retire.

Pastor Heather Boone is among the Monroe-area ministers participating in The Monroe News' clergy column series.

She resigned after the board passed a motion to try to convince Superintendent Julie Everly to remain rather than continue the replacement process.

"After a while, I finally asked God why was He only talking to me at bedtime. He said, 'I talk to you all the time but you don’t listen,'" she writes.

"I can still remember the first sermon I heard after I decided to quit my job and step into ministry," Pastor Heather Boone writes.

"God is not surprised by all of our troubles," Pastor Heather Boone writes.

Oaks of Righteousness has partnered with Recovery Mobile Clinic to help work on the fight against alcohol and substance addiction in Monroe County.

Oaks of Righteousness Christian Church said some days it’s gotten so low that they had only 20 boxes left to give.

I am tired of zoom, social media and social distancing. Funerals via Facebook are impersonal. And drive by birthday parties are not the same.

Photojournalist Tom Hawley recaps his top ten images of 2021.

Pastor Heather Boone was named  the USA TODAY Best of Humankind Awards Person of the Year.

It’s been five years since the Detroit native was able to purchase the building that used to be St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and further her vision for the city of Monroe.

Pastor Boone in the running for Humankind Person of the Year

Dozens of Monroe Township residents are looking for new homes this weekend after they were evicted from sub-level units at Sterling Pointe Apartments.

Crews began working earlier this week on razing the remains of six apartments in Monroe that were destroyed in a fire on Easter morning.

Oaks of Righteousness seeks donations for Village Market through Gannett's 'A Community Thrives.'

Pastor Heather Boone has been selected as one of nine recipients of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' 2021 Hometown Health Hero Award.

Volunteers begin planting raised crop beds at college farm

It’s one of the most visible charitable fundraisers throughout the holiday season, as selfless volunteers endure the wintry temperatures for the greater good. And we also know that the season of giving truly is coming to an end when cheerful bellringers are no longer stationed outside of local businesses in hopes of shoppers sparing some change for the needy after picking up holiday gifts. Even though Salvation Army is a worldwide charitable organization, a loss of more than $6,000 during its largest fundraiser of the year hits hard, particularly for its shelter. "What I’ve found is those who can give are giving more," Wayne explained. And, depending on funding, Wayne said the Salvation Army may have to cut capacity even further.

This is part 2 of the "Special Report: Nonprofit or No Profit?" Even though Salvation Army is a worldwide charitable organization, a loss of more than $6,000 during its largest fundraiser of the year hits hard, particularly for its shelter. Just as Salvation Army had fewer volunteers, there also are fewer shoppers. And, depending on funding, Wayne said the Salvation Army may have to cut capacity even further. “He’s always making miracles on Second Street.”***For information about Salvation Army of Monroe County, go to centralusa.salvationarmy.org/Monroe.

What’s on your Christmas list? This year, my Christmas list is a little strange, even for me. This reason is why a finished bathroom with four new toilets and three new showers is the first thing on my Christmas list. The second item on my Christmas list also came to me due to dwelling among the people. They need food they can afford, which takes us back to my strange Christmas list of a finished bathroom and an opened grocery market.

Pastor Heather Boone is among the Monroe-area ministers participating in The Monroe News' clergy column series. God also told this young prophet not to sit and drink with anyone (social distance) nor go back the way he came. On his way home, the young prophet was stopped by an old prophet who lied and convinced him to come back to the old prophet's house to eat. As they were sitting down together, the word of the Lord came, telling the young prophet because he went back, he would die. Heather Boone is pastor of Oaks of Righteousness Christian Ministries and Oaks Village in Monroe.

Pastor Heather Boone of Oaks of Righteousness Christian Church recently held an outdoor service. Her shirt read: Coming to a parking lot near you!As we all know, the coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic has shut down church services where people can come together with God. Pastor Heather Boone of Oaks of Righteousness Christian Church for the first time last Sunday held an outdoor service. Boones shirt read: Coming to a parking lot near you!It means, just that church can be held anywhere, including a parking lot. Our community is afraid, and it is the job of the church to share hope by any means necessary.

The restrictions related to coronavirus have resulted in strict rules and stir-crazy residents at Monroe County's emergency housing shelters. Its now impossible to maintain that routine, Heather explained, after a state-mandated lockdown went into effect last week as part of Michigan Gov. Its rough, but God is still good, said Pastor Heather Boone who heads the Oaks shelter. To keep residents safe and indoors, Boone said Oaks is operating under a nearly complete lockdown. Im seeing the best in the community, Boone said.

Waterloo Elementary has required students to wear school uniforms since 2014; Jameson Schmitt is seeking to change that. A Monroe student recently called on administrators to change dress code rules at Waterloo Elementary School after collecting more than 120 petition signatures on the issue from his peers. The dress code requires boys to wear khaki or navy pants and girls to wear pants, shorts, skirts or skorts of the same colors. With a uniform dress code, we are basically required to have two wardrobes, Jameson explained. Along with sharing the petition with the board, Jameson explained that uniforms prevent students from expressing themselves, mentioning that he especially enjoys seeing his friends funny T-shirts on casual dress days.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. The Lord instructed Hosea to go and marry a prostitute. His new wife, Gomer, was not quite ready to be a housewife. Finally, when the last child was born, God instructed Hosea to name him Not My Child. Hosea still loved him. So, this Valentine Day, know that you are loved and have a not-so-secret admirer.

Oaks Victory Village is located at the former St. Joseph Catholic Church at E. Second St. and Kentucky Ave. Oaks of Righteousness Pastor Heather Boone believes members of the community need to help one another. Early next month, the nonprofit will open Oaks Acorn Childrens Village, a daycare center years in the making, and Sacred Oak Health Center, a clinic that will treat patients regardless of their insurance status. We are only as strong as the weakest people in our community, Boone said. The clinic will address the health concerns of low income residents and provide an opportunity to discuss primary care, according to Boone.

Oaks Victory Village is preparing to unveil Oaks Acorn Children's Village, a free education center that will provide daycare to some of the poorest families in Monroe County. Boone and her team at the Oaks Victory Village are preparing to unveil Oaks Acorn Childrens Village, a free education center that will provide daycare to some of the poorest families in Monroe County. Childcare is a huge burden for many families, Boone said, adding that an inability to locate care can keep parents from finding or returning to work. They cant get a lot of things accomplished because they dont have anyone to watch their children, Boone said. The center will primarily serve homeless families with children and local families that are considered low income.

Pastor Heather Boone is among the Monroe-area ministers participating in The Monroe News' clergy column series. One day I started talking and I just couldnt stop. I went to a new school, but I was the same lazy student with a chip on my shoulder. Who would have thought that a lazy troublemaker who hated school could make such a turnaround? Heather Boone is pastor of Oaks of Righteousness Christian Ministries and Oaks Village in Monroe.

This is part of a special report by The Monroe News on the issue of homelessness in Monroe County. Only 28% of the demographic end up in permanent housing, according to an annual report compiled by the Michigan Campaign To End Homelessness. The youth homeless demographic has historically been a gap area in Monroe County, according to Stephanie Kasprzak, executive director of the Monroe County Opportunity Program. We have worked hard to address and prevent youth homelessness in the community, she said. She said abuse at home as well as mental health and substance abuse issues can be contributing factors to youth homelessness.

Pastor Heather Boone was appointed Monday to to fill a vacancy created after Cheryl Sweeney resigned. Pastor Heather Boone is the newest member of the Monroe Public Schools Board of Education. Boone is pastor of Oaks of Righteousness church and executive director of Oaks Village homeless shelter and outreach center, two organizations she founded. Boone also is among local clergy who write columns about faith for The Monroe News. Boone attended the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit for a master of arts degree in pastoral ministry.

Pastor Heather Boone is among the Monroe-area ministers participating in The Monroe News' clergy column series. I know what you are thinking, Pastor Boone is too young to have a son that old.And, you are correct! He was like a little old man and I was still a teenager. Scripture says, and a child shall lead them. I thank God for the gift that he gave me 25 years ago. Heather Boone is pastor of Oaks of Righteousness Christian Ministries and Oaks Village in Monroe.Reach her at oaksofrighteousness@aol.com.

Pastor Heather Boone is among the Monroe-area ministers participating in The Monroe News' clergy column series. I know what you are thinking, Pastor Boone is too young to have a son that old.And, you are correct! He was like a little old man and I was still a teenager. Scripture says, and a child shall lead them. I thank God for the gift that he gave me 25 years ago. Heather Boone is pastor of Oaks of Righteousness Christian Ministries and Oaks Village in Monroe.Reach her at oaksofrighteousness@aol.com.

We want to make sure it stays open, we want to make sure it thrives, said Councilwoman Paula Whitman. The Monroe City Council will form a committee to vet the nonprofit organizations vying to assume control of the Arthur Lesow Community Center. The council voted June 3 to terminate its lease with the nonprofit organization operating the center. I just know that this community center is the heartbeat of the Orchard East community, and I refuse to let the heartbeat stop. But it also was made clear that it has no interest in the city taking over the day-to-day operations of the center.

Pastor Heather Boone is among the Monroe-area ministers who participate in The Monroe News' clergy column series. It is considered the perfect number. Everyday I am reminded by a little scratch that I am good enough and that I am perfect just the way I am. Know that you are still perfect in Gods eyes and He still has a plan for your life. Heather Boone is pastor of Oaks of Righteousness Christian Ministries and Oaks Village in Monroe.Reach her at oaksofrighteousness@aol.com.