Fellowship center in Homestead moves beyond coffee

Eighth Avenue Place opens doors to virtually everyone

It was New Year's Eve 2006, and the Rev. Keith Kaufold had just conducted a service at a Methodist church in Penn Hills.

Driving back to his residence in Homestead, he crossed the Grays Bridge and glanced to his left.

There, on the door of a commercial building, was a "For Rent" sign he hadn't noticed before.

It was, for him, literally, a sign from God.

Two days later, his birthday, he phoned the owner of the building and took the first steps toward establishing Eighth Avenue Place.

He explained to Lloyd Cunningham that he wanted to create a safe environment for anyone to come in and have Fair Trade coffee, find fellowship or a free meal, or perhaps participate in Christian worship services.

"Finally, I asked Lloyd, 'What are your views on this?' and he said, 'You are me, 20 years ago.' "

"From a community standpoint, he's good for the town," said Mr. Cunningham, who owns Steel Valley Printers and leases another part of his building to a nonprofit art gallery.

"It's another viable business, per se, on Eighth Avenue, which is good for the business district."

Eighth Avenue Place had its grand opening last October, and as it approaches the first-year anniversary, its services have grown beyond free coffee and snacks from 6:30 to noon every morning.

There are evening programs addressing the needs of women (Tuesdays), recovery groups (Wednesdays), men (Thursdays) and a Bible study (Fridays).

Twice a month on Saturdays, there is "One Gathering," with a free meal provided at 3 p.m. followed by a service.

"A lot of churches have the service first, then the dinner, so people will stick around," said the Rev. Kaufold.

"Regardless of what you think about Jesus, you can have a meal. I don't want it to seem like 'If you worship God, we'll feed you.' "

Small-group participation runs from 5 to 20 participants each night; there have been upwards of 60 or 70 people for the Saturday gatherings.

Local churches, he added, have been generous in their support for Eighth Avenue Place, with donations of food and help.

A remarkable contribution was that of Christ United Methodist in Bethel Park, which staged a capital campaign to raise $50,000.

Individual donations can be sent to Eighth Avenue Ministries, 101 E. Eighth Ave., Homestead, PA 15120.

The Rev. Kaufold, 29, has roots in Munhall, where his family lived until 1992. They moved to Bethel Park and he graduated from Bethel Park High School in 1998. He has a degree in social work from California University.

Although he wasn't particularly religious growing up, he said he "had the fire lit within me," and later attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He also was a counselor at Jumonville, a Christian camp in the Laurel Highlands and worked with at-risk youth in various programs.

"I got to see these kids at the heart level," the Rev. Kaufold said.

Both of the Rev. Kaufold's parents are teachers: Susan, at Barrett Elementary in the Steel Valley district, Charles at Bethel Park High School.

There was a period, a few years back, where he found himself walking the streets, praying. On that New Year's evening, he said, he discovered his purpose.

Renovating the former WAMO/WHOD radio station, including the studio where disc jockey Porky Chedwick famously spun records, took about eight months. The Rev. Kaufold's girlfriend who helps run the place, is Monica Richmond, of Munhall. His father, his uncle David Duerr, of Bethel Park and a friend, Martin Davis, of Homestead, worked through the summer months, cleaning, painting, fixing up a kitchen.

"We were here every day, full-time," said Mr. Duerr, a retired software engineer who called the efforts "a labor of love."

Through Eighth Avenue Place, Mr. Duerr became friends with frequent visitor Aaron Hayes, of New Homestead.

The two were classmates at Steel Valley High School but didn't know each other back in the 1970s.

"I wish I'd would have [made friends] with him years ago," Mr. Duerr said.

This underscores a point that the Rev. Kaufold is trying to make with the coffee house: All are welcome, even though race has, in the past, been a divider.

"I believe this ministry is to encompass the whole life experience, the good and the bad," the Rev. Kaufold said.

"I grew up in upper Munhall. There is this notion that 'we don't go down there' [to Homestead] and in the same way, I'm sure some people who live there don't think to go 'up there.' "

On a recent morning, West Homestead resident Lori Speicher walked through the door, hand-in-hand with her daughter, Shania, 5.

There were hugs all around from staff, then Shania and Ms. Richmond settled onto the couch to read a book.

Ms. Speicher said she enjoys coming to Eighth Avenue Place for the company, and hoped to be able to convince some friends to join her.

For Mr. Hayes, visiting the coffee shop on a daily basic is more than pleasant routine: "These people keep my head right," he said.

It's therapeutic as well for Mr. Duerr, who said going to Eighth Avenue Place gives him a sense of purpose.

"I believe in Keith's vision," he said.

Getting that vision to the people has been the tough part. The grand opening of the coffee shop was a big deal, with about 100 visitors, including Homestead Mayor Betty Esper and her little fluffy dog.

But on the first real day of operation, the Rev. Kaufold arrived at 5:30 a.m., made the coffee and flung open the doors an hour later to find ... nothing.

Mr. Cunningham suggested that if people didn't come to him, perhaps he should go to them. Which is how the Rev. Kaufold ended up sitting under the bridge by a bus stop, handing out hot coffee.

"I think it was also out of loneliness," he said, laughing. "I got all set up, and we had a blast."

He said he'll continue playing basketball on Ninth Avenue and walking the streets because it might benefit those who need help but don't realize it.

"I refuse not to be seen," he said.

Thursday, August 28, 2008
By Maria Sciullo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette