In the Beginning
Albany Helping Hands was founded as an non affiliated, independent faith-based 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization in 1998, but it's roots go back to the early 1980's with services and a seasonal shelter provided by Pastor Les Bailey and others.
For fourteen years, starting in 1984, Pastor Bailey ran a shelter from Oak Hill Community Church of God, at 103 Main Street SE in Albany, Oregon, where he was a pastor until retiring in 2014.
Pastor Les Bailey had a gift, people in crisis and need, the homeless and the hungry. People that others would avoid would gravitate to him where personal and spiritual relationships were established.
In 1998, the shelter separated from the church and became Albany Helping Hands, an independent non-denominational, faith-based 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Construction of building #2 which now houses the dormitory, chapel, laundry room, staff quarters, GED training center, office and Board Room.
Also that year the Shelter moved to a leased retail space at the intersection of Santiam Highway (20) and Pacific Boulevard (99E) then in the mid-2000’s the organization moved and purchased the current facilities at 619 SE 9th Avenue.
The local non-denominational ministry has grown from sheltering a few during extreme, harsh winter weather in a small church on Main Street to operating a Homeless Shelter, a three-meal-a-day kitchen, a Thrift Store, a U-Haul Rental Dealership, and a Woodlot.
The non-profit organization is supported primarily by contributions of individuals, businesses, churches, and non-profit organizations.
In January 2018 Pastor John reported in his web blog “… our board seized the opportunity to purchase three new properties— two adjacent to our main campus at 619 SE Ninth Ave., as well as the former church of Pastor Les Bailey, the founder.
The new “Bailey Home” brings one of Pastor Les Bailey dreams to a reality.
The Bailey Home, a former church, at is now a six-bedroom home with 2 1/2 baths, a full kitchen with accessories, and two washers and dryers.
This home will afford a maximum of ten occupants including a resident “House Mother.
The Bailey Home operates within the mission of Helping Hands, as it will serve to be a transitional home for single mothers with children.
With the addition of the latest two families consisting of mothers with children, the Bailey Home is now at capacity.
Pastor John Leon, discusses Pastor Bailey’s dream of sheltering those in need in his blog “A Dream Becomes a Reality!”
The Bailey Home is named to commemorate Albany Helping Hands founder, the late Pastor Les Bailey.
His faith in the Lord and Love for people molded his vision in the building of the organization.
You can read Pastor John’s blog post by clicking here.
Pastor Les Bailey, Founder Albany Helping Hands
Founder Pastor Les Bailey Passes
The founder, chaplain and retired executive director of Albany's Helping Hands homeless shelter, whom most people just called "Pastor," died Oct. 25 at 75, leaving a lifetime's legacy of helping those in need.
A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Hope Church, 2817 Santiam
Highway SE. Instead of flowers, family members are asking for memorial contributions to some of Bailey's favorite charities: Feed the Children, Gideons International or the Helping Hands shelter he created.
"Les Bailey had one of the biggest hearts our community has ever seen. He devoted his life to serving the less fortunate," Mayor Sharon Konopa said. "Helping Hands Homeless Shelter lived up to its name from Les Bailey's helping and caring hands."
Content above (c) Copyright 2018, Albany Democrat-Herald. For full multi page newspaper article and separate Obituary, click here.
Retirement BBQ for Pastor Les Bailey and Grace Gantt (September 3, 2014) at the Shelter Facility parking lot.
Albany Helping Hands main facility at 619 SE 9th Avenue, Albany from Google Earth.
Albany Helping Hands (2018)