The news of Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti hit hard for a lot of people across the country.
But for one local family it hit a little closer to home, since the charity they founded in 1996 was right at the center of the devastation.
The charity takes boys who are too old for an orphanage, sometimes as young as 14 years old, and teaches them life skills.
Now those boys have families and jobs of their own.
But after Tuesday's earthquake, that group is needed in Haiti now more than ever.
It's been a hard week for Norma Patterson.
The charity she and her husband started 13 years ago with their own money was right at the heart of the earthquake that devastated Haiti.
Their church was destroyed, but the 6,000 foot mission center only had minimal damage.
Her charity started with 12 boys but has grown to include their families- more than 55 people. "Every one of the boys and their families are like family to me. It's been a tough week," said Patterson.
So far Patterson has heard from all 55 of them-except one.
But she thinks he was far enough away that he is alright. Doug Sarver is the Pastor of Global Missions at First Baptist Springdale. They partner with the Joy House.
And he says Haiti needs it now more than ever. "Joy House still stands. Joy House is a light house to that community and we're going to set it up as a command center for teams to use for years to come to rebuild Haiti," said Sarver.
Patterson agrees.
They are putting a team together right now and to head to Haiti and evaluate the situation. Then they'll begin the process of rebuilding homes in their neighborhood and providing some relief for the people of Haiti.
"We know we're not the Red Cross. We know we can't go in and save all of Haiti. But we can touch our area," said Patterson.
Patterson is hoping to be back in Haiti within two to three weeks.
She says she's already had more than 100 calls from people wanting to go with her and start rebuilding the country.
For more information click here.
But after Tuesday's earthquake, that group is needed in Haiti now more than ever.
It's been a hard week for Norma Patterson.
The charity she and her husband started 13 years ago with their own money was right at the heart of the earthquake that devastated Haiti.
Their church was destroyed, but the 6,000 foot mission center only had minimal damage.
Her charity started with 12 boys but has grown to include their families- more than 55 people. "Every one of the boys and their families are like family to me. It's been a tough week," said Patterson.
So far Patterson has heard from all 55 of them-except one.
But she thinks he was far enough away that he is alright. Doug Sarver is the Pastor of Global Missions at First Baptist Springdale. They partner with the Joy House.
And he says Haiti needs it now more than ever. "Joy House still stands. Joy House is a light house to that community and we're going to set it up as a command center for teams to use for years to come to rebuild Haiti," said Sarver.
Patterson agrees.
They are putting a team together right now and to head to Haiti and evaluate the situation. Then they'll begin the process of rebuilding homes in their neighborhood and providing some relief for the people of Haiti.
"We know we're not the Red Cross. We know we can't go in and save all of Haiti. But we can touch our area," said Patterson.
Patterson is hoping to be back in Haiti within two to three weeks.
She says she's already had more than 100 calls from people wanting to go with her and start rebuilding the country.
For more information click here.
