Welcome Al Kiwazek, New Executive Director

The Board of Greater Hayward House of Hope (GHHOH), a residential faith-based addiction recovery ministry for men in northwest Wisconsin, has announced a change in leadership. This month, Al Kiwazek,  a pastor at Spider Lake Church, became the new executive director of GHHOH. He succeeds Mike Thompson, who was instrumental in establishing the organization in 2020. Thompson is moving to Mora, Minnesota, to start similar men’s recovery programs with InFaith Ministries. 

“I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work with men desiring to make a change in their lives while seeking a relationship with the Lord,” said Kiwazek. “This recovery program works because we don’t just treat addiction. We focus on men’s core identity, and that transforms everything about them.”

Kiwazek will continue as a pastor at Spider Lake Church while taking the helm at GHHOH. The Greater House of Hope residence and trade skills workshop is located on Main Street next to Spider Lake Church, and the congregation has been instrumental in its operation. Greater Hayward House of Hope is in its fourth year of setting men free from the cycle of addiction with a six-month residential program that includes a faith-based curriculum, mentoring, and training in trade skills. The ministry has served 18 men and graduated 11. The GHHOH is well supported by the community and its board members and volunteers are from many Hayward area churches. 

“Mike Thompson has been a dedicated leader, and his presence will be missed,” said Gary Nathan, Board President of GHHOH. “We needed his vision, expertise in writing the program curriculum, and skill set in implementing the course work. His leadership at the House and compassion for the men has set this ministry apart from all others.”

At the same time, the Board has announced expansion plans for GHHOH under the leadership of Pastor Kiwazek. Men who complete Phases 1 and 2 of recovery while living at GHHOH will soon have a “Phase 3” program to help them start a new life when they move out. 

“This follow-up care will go further than meeting basic needs,” said Nathan. “In Phase 3, graduates will receive help in their long-term journey to build a new life, grow in their faith, and connect with the community—all for the glory of God.”

As a resident of Hayward since 2000, Kiwazek has a broad network in northwest Wisconsin, which will help GHHOH graduates become productive members of the community. He holds a pastoral license with the International Association of Ministers (IAM) and has been a full-time pastor for Spider Lake Church since 2021. Before entering full-time ministry, Kiwazek worked for 35 years in retail management with Wal-Mart and Kwik Trip, was an independent distributor for a packaged food company, and served as general manager for the Big Fish Golf Course on the Lac Courte Oreilles reservation. 

“The fulfilling part of being a manager was being able to help others achieve their goals, whether expanding their skills or seeking a promotion,” says Kiwazek. “Transferring that experience to GHHOH, I look forward to helping men reach their full potential as they start new lives.”



Trade Skills Workshop 

Our workshop is teaching men wood working skills that they will take with them to future employers after they graduate. This helps them get jobs and helps us sell products to sustain the ministry. 

NEW PRODUCTS!

The House of Hope workshop supervisor, Mike Lemmons, has been busy designing and building a new Chicken Coop and Firewood Boxes. Sheds are also becoming a hot seller!

Chicken Coop - heavy duty construction - $995

Firewood Boxes - $299 in stock; or $250 to place order and wait

The House of Hope is incredibly thankful to recently be the recipient of $10,000 from "100 Who Care Sawyer County"! Thank you to all who made this possible!



Stock Donations Now Accepted

We now have the capability to receive donations of stock. If you are interested or need account information, please contact Linda Gerich at 715-558-5046.



The House of Hope Board of Directors

Executive Director Al Kiwazek, Gary Nathan, Linda Gerich, Gary Hilgendorf, Jim Miller, Tony Anderson, Nicole Rude, Jesse Beckermann, Rebecca Stroede.

Mike Murphy - Lead Mentor

Mike Lemmons - Workshop Supervisor