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Ministry formally opens new building

Living Water Ministry board member, Tim Horvatich, speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Hamilton Living Water Ministry building Monday, June 27.

Staff photo by Nick Daggy Living Water Ministry board member, Tim Horvatich, speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Hamilton Living Water Ministry building Monday, June 27.

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By Hannah Poturalski, Staff Writer 5:43 PM Monday, June 27, 2011

HAMILTON — Save for a few rain drops, the ribbon cutting at Hamilton Living Water Ministry’s new facility went off without a hitch.

About 40 people attended the ceremony and enjoyed a tour of the facility inside the former Jefferson Elementary School on South Eighth Street. Those attending included members of City Council; representatives from Butler County United Way and Serve City; Hamilton police officers; and children and adults from the community.

Tim Horvatich, board member, said it’s been a long process to transition the ministry’s services to the former elementary school. Horvatich, who led the project, said finances were limited for the development but grants and loans came from the Hamilton Community Foundation and Community Development Block Grant funds.

“It started two years ago with a vision we had of an improved way to serve the community,” Horvatich said.

Hamilton Living Water Ministry has served the city’s Fourth Ward for 10 years, said Pam Mortensen, chairwoman of the board.

“It’s amazing what faith, hope, and charity can accomplish,” Mayor Pat Moeller said. “It’s great reuse of a school building to assist at-risk children.”

Cathy Hester, executive director, said the ministry’s first day in the new facility was June 13, and more than 120 children are served daily.

“The green space and playground here we haven’t had before,” Hester said.

Jeff Raker, senior pastor at Cornerstone Church, offered a prayer at the ceremony to strengthen the staff and bless those served by the ministry. Horvatich added, “Bless the staff so they can touch the needy in a special way.”

Paul and Pam Davis of Hamilton attended the ribbon cutting and said they’re excited about the upgrade. The couple does outreach services at Hamilton Christian Center on Millville Avenue and hopes to extend outreach using the Living Water Ministry.

“They’ve been doing good work here,” Paul Davis said.

Pam Davis added that with the heavy presence of drugs and alcohol in poorer areas it’s important to move outside the four walls of churches and into the neighborhoods.

“Start with the little ones, that’s why we love what they’re doing here,” Pam Davis said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2179 or hpoturalski@coxohio.com.

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