Our History
As you drive down Wales Drive between Bidwell and School Streets, you pass a small campus of gray buildings with a fenced playground in front. Other than children playing and a few people coming and going, there is nothing very remarkable to catch your attention on the outside; nothing to give away the incredible power of the work and service taking place on the inside, under the appropriate title of “Powerhouse Ministries, Inc.”
This organization that has an immeasurable impact on the community it serves was born from the compassion of Nancy and Larry Levine who moved to Folsom in the early 1980s. One day while touring the Folsom Prison grounds Nancy’s heart was deeply stirred by the sight of women and children lining up on the prison road waiting to visit their loved ones. Nancy and Larry launched a personal outreach ministry in 1984 directed toward the families of prisoners and their neighbors - they listened, taught, found ways to provide emergency relief, created special events and spent many hours in prayer. As their work expanded and their dedication grew, they were led to form a non-profit corporation in 1992, followed by the purchase of a building in 1993. Following a struggle with cancer, Larry died in 1997, but as an ordained Pastor of Powerhouse Ministries Nancy never faltered in her determination to keep the ministry alive.
Powerhouse Ministries bills itself as a Christian Community Center. They offer men’s, women’s support groups, teen and children’s ministry programs, a Drop-in Center, recreational events, holiday programs, assistance with alternative sentencing and personalized individual ministry to meet the many needs of their clients. They continue to serve the families of prisoners and other low income families living in high-risk neighborhoods by addressing the immediate physical needs of daily life and offering the emotional and spiritual sustenance that allows recovery from tragedy and movement
forward with a hope in the future.
Nancy remarried in 1999 and with support of her husband, Rick, continues to pour her love and energy into the current ministry and plans for its growth. The successful formula she and her staff are using has gained the support and respect of the Folsom community, from the business, private and government sectors. Powerhouse was instrumental in gaining approval from the Folsom City Council to launch the first ever winter homeless shelter program for six weeks from February through March 2004. This experience in conjunction with the generous assistance and support of Powerhouse’s many donors and volunteers has allowed them to open their year-round Family Transition Center.
Though Powerhouse will continue to assist those in crisis through their Drop-In Center and to maintain their Family Transition Center, they are currently moving their focus to better serve the at-risk youth in our community. Powerhouse would like to give specific emphasis to the needs of the local children and teens, who may be especially traumatized by their families’ living situations.
More information on how you can help serve the low-income in our Folsom community or to donate online, visit the “Get Involved” section of this website.
