Tribute to Women: Jeni Eldridge
/Jeni Eldridge founded Haven Homes, a Christian nonprofit organization that aims to help people recover from addiction. They began in 2012 with opening two transitional homes for women leaving Bowie County Women’s Center. To-date, over 200 women have utilized the transitional homes. In the 12 years since, the organization has expanded to serve both men and women recovering from substance addiction. They currently serve about 80 people, who receive safe housing, spiritual guidance, and faith-based counseling, as well as employment, educational, and community service opportunities.
photo by shane darby
Jeni, who has served as the executive director since 2019, felt that God was calling her to create change in the community after she saw the effects of addiction in her own family.
“I do what I do today out of a passion to see people in the throes of addiction overcome a life-threatening disease,” she said. “I truly had a front-row seat as addiction touched my own family, and I saw the chaos that this disease can bring. Today, I can say our family survived, but it was a long journey with many hills and valleys. Haven Homes was formed out of my passion to see lives and families restored and to make a difference in our community by offering a safe place for people to recover.”
“What an absolute blessing to get up every day and be a part of this amazing ministry.”
Jeni’s top priority was and continues to be to provide a free, Christian recovery program. “I encountered many families and individuals who could not afford the cost of expensive rehabilitation centers,” she said. “My number-one goal was to create a faith-based recovery program that people could enter at no charge. Through the help of so many individuals, foundations, churches, and businesses, and with my amazing board of directors, we have made that possible today.”
In addition to her work at Haven Homes, Jeni is also the ministry leader of First Baptist Church’s Celebrate Recovery (CR) program, a part-time position she accepted in 2016. CR is open to anyone “who struggles with a hurt, habit, or hangup,” she explained.
Prior to her professional work in addiction recovery, Jeni had a 30-year teaching career, 20 of which were spent at Liberty Eylau School District’s K. Bender Elementary School. “Those were some of the most rewarding years of my life,” she said. “To see a student struggle, and suddenly the light comes on, and they have it—what a joy that was.”
Jeni experiences similar joys today. “To see a person walk through the doors of Haven, wrecked by the effects of addictions, and 12 months later see them restored physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually is the greatest achievement I could ever receive,” she said. “What an absolute blessing to get up every day and be a part of this amazing ministry. I am among the most blessed women, and I thank God every day.”
Jeni Eldridge is known as “Pink” to her six grandchildren.
submitted photo
While most of her time is spent with adults in recovery, Jeni also prioritizes quality time with her three children, three daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren. “[My grandchildren] bring so much joy to my life,” she said. “My Hava is a Pleasant Grove showstopper, and l love watching her dance at PG games. I just returned from a beach trip, and all six of my grands were present at some point during the week. We made great memories.”
FSLM ASKED JENI…
What’s your favorite local spot to spend time? Mother Kelley’s Home Cooking. Her veggie plate of collard greens, sweet potatoes, and mac and cheese takes me back to my roots.
If you could speak one sentence of wisdom to your past self, what would it be? Never give up hope.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I took fencing in college.
Each woman featured in this issue was chosen by an honoree from last year’s Tribute to Women to be recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the Texarkana community.
photo by shane darby
Pam Beck’s Words:
It is an honor to nominate Jeni Eldridge as one of the 2024 Tribute to Women honorees. Jeni has lived next door to me for 30 years and inspires me every day. Since Jeni retired from teaching, she has been busier than ever before, running Haven Homes and spending time with her grandchildren. I admire Jeni most of all for her love of God, her family, and anyone who is struggling. She is always willing to give someone a second chance at life. Jeni took the knowledge she gained while handling adversities with her own family and poured that knowledge and love into Celebrate Recovery and creating Haven Homes. She is proactive in making a change in so many people’s lives. She is a kind, humble lady who prays for those in need while placing people in their life so they can grow and find God for themselves. I love seeing and hearing about so many success stories of moms reunited with their children or men getting back on their feet after a slip-up. Jeni truly is a shining light and an inspiration.