First Fuller home in Meade County, Kentucky, a symbol of hope & redemption
EKRON, Kentucky — Kathryn Rider too often witnessed complicated issues such as domestic violence and drug addiction and the toll they took on individuals and families when she was a social worker. However, when those issues surfaced in her own mirror, she found herself spiraling out of control.
“I forgot where I was going,” said Rider, who this month officially became a Fuller Center for Housing of Meade County homeowner partner. “It was because I had lost everything that I had ever provided to my kids. It’s just been such a wonderful opportunity for me because I’ve overcome things that many people don’t overcome. This is a rebirth, and I would not have been able to own a home otherwise.”
While working her way out of addiction and back into a healthy existence, she swallowed her pride and began working at a fast-food establishment before rebuilding a career helping others. During this climb, she applied to become a homeowner partner for FCH of Meade County’s first build as a Fuller Center covenant partner.
“When I filled out that application, I thought there was no way in the world that they’d pick someone like me, and I was completely honest with them from the beginning,” she said. “For the board members to not use that against me and to still see my potential has just been so amazing and so inspiring for a lot of people in our community. They have supported me and encouraged me the entire way.”
“There was a sense of shame before this happened,” she added. “This ended that. Also, my walk with God has ended that. I’d lived a really, really good life before the violence and addiction, but I didn’t have a strong relationship with Christ then. I didn’t know how much I was loved by Him. Within this recovery process, I have gained a true relationship with Christ.”
She also felt Christ’s love through The Fuller Center as an affordable housing ministry with the founding principle of being “unashamedly Christian and enthusiastically ecumenical.”
“The Fuller Center is based on that,” Rider said. “It’s just the hands and feet of God, and they’re doing His work. To not have a bias against me because of my past and to not stigmatize my past, it’s just been such an amazing thing.”
It’s also been an “amazing” financial thing for Rider. She will repay the costs of the home with a zero-percent-interest mortgage with those repayments staying in the community to help The Fuller Center of Meade County build another home for a family..
“When I first filled out that application, I wasn’t making much money,” she said. “I was rebuilding my life. I didn’t know how I was ever going to pay rent in a market like this and survive. Financial hardship kind of drives addiction. Financial hardship and inadequate or unaffordable housing are two of the major factors.
“Now, there’s a sense of clarity,” she added. “It’s the belief that I can do this.”
Not only is Rider no longer ashamed of her past, she uses her comeback story to encourage others. She volunteers with The Kentucky Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) program for new or expectant parents supporting families as they build healthy, safe environments for the optimal growth and development of children. She also has a jail ministry.
“I talk to the women there and tell them I was in their place three years ago,” she said. “I just feel like transparency is what helps other people.”
Rider’s comeback was celebrated at a March 10 home dedication that drew a huge crowd to her new home on Mucker Road.
“I just felt such a sense of peace that day,” said Rider, who was joined by son Ethan at the event while her older son Mason was away at college. “Sometimes you just feel so unqualified or so unworthy of things, but I had so many people there cheering me on and supporting me. It made me feel like I was worthy of a wonderful thing.”
Having officially signed the papers on her zero-percent-interest mortgage last week, she is excited about paying it forward for the next FCH Meade County homeowner partners — homeowners who will become her next-door neighbors.
“I can’t wait to start the next build because I want to help so much,” she said.
GALLERY: More scenes from groundbreaking to dedication day
(Click thumbnails for full-size images)
2 Comments
I love this article and it fills my heart. I am so proud of Katie, her achievements, her great return, her willingness to expose herself to help others. She is serving the community and herself incredibly. Thank you for having faith in her.
Katie is one of the strongest, most amazing women I know. I am so proud of her, she deserves every blessing that comes her way. She has the biggest heart and the kindest soul.