Harrison Holtkamp lives a double life. In the world of do-gooders, he could even be called a “vigilante hero.”
He doesn’t wear a cape, though, or possess super strength. Holtkamp runs on pure dedication and compassion to fight his ultimate nemesis in Michigan City: Homelessness. From morning to evening he is the director of operations at a wholesale distribution company, which he has served for two decades. However, once he clocks out, he jumps into action as the executive director of Interfaith Community P.A.D.S., which stands for “Public Action to Deliver Shelter.”
“A lot of people don’t know about us, and we are the only shelter in La Porte County, which is the state’s third largest county,” Holtkamp said. “So we're just trying to get the word out, that there’s a need and there’s things they can do to help.”
Harrison, 46, has been working with this initiative for the past 16 years, beginning as a volunteer. Interfaith Community P.A.D.S. works with partners in the community such as churches to provide food, supplies and traveling, temporary overnight shelters for men who are homeless.
After he leaves his nine-to-five, Holtkamp’s mission varies day to day. Sometimes he is meeting the representative of a church, picking up donations, coordinating with volunteers, helping with transportation needs or preparing the shelter site. He said in their many years of service, the organization has not applied for grants and has ran entirely on community support.
“Everything we are able to do is by word of mouth and out of the kindness of people’s hearts, that’s how we have been operating for the past 15 years” Holtkamp said. “Needless to say I get turned down a lot, but I never take no for an answer.”
Holtkamp said he feels lucky to have his wife, Amity, with whom he is celebrating their sixth year of marriage, along with their 11-year-old rescue cat, Smokey. Holtkamp grew up in Michigan City and made it a permanent home for his family.
“Michigan City is a beautiful town,” Holtkamp said. “It’s home. I don’t feel like there’s anything better anywhere else. I think it’s the people in the area. There’s a really good community here.”
It’s also a community where plenty of good work can be done, as Holtkamp has undertaken quite a few projects and is not even close to being finished. This October, with the partnership of the La Porte County community and other local homeless shelters, Interfaith Community P.A.D.S. will open an emergency women’s shelter branch of the organization.
“We know there is a huge need for this, with limited spaces that serve women,” Holtkamp said.
Holtkamp wanted to be able to help the women who reached out to his organization for shelter or assistance, in which up until now they did not have the ability to serve. With donations, volunteers and support, his dream will be realized in short time.
“Our goal is to take care of people who need help to get back on track,” Holtkamp said. ”I can’t waste time with the question, ‘Am I ready?’ Because they’re here, waiting at the door already.”
Right now, Holtkamp’s free time is few and far in between, but his passion keeps him moving forward every day he wakes up.
“It certainly keeps my hands full,” Holtkamp said. “I don’t get a lot of down time but that’s because I’m creating something.”
Over his years, Holtkamp has gotten to know several people in the community, whether volunteers, organization leaders or the guests that stay at the shelters.
“There’re so many memories,” Holtkamp said. “Because with time, diligence and caring for other people, and collectively going in with a good heart; that’s what makes a difference. Once people start to understand that you are there to help them, they start to feel wanted, they start to feel loved, they feel like they matter.”
Fighting homelessness, however, is not a one-person job. Donations and volunteers are very much needed, to see how you can help, contact Holtkamp at director.interfaithcommunitypads.com or call 219-276-7582. Go to http://interfaithcommunitypads.com to learn more about the organization and their shelter locations.