Sometimes the most profound impact comes from the quiet, consistent acts of service that happen behind the scenes. At Nest Community Shelter’s annual Appreciation and Recognition Event on July 1st, we had the privilege of celebrating two extraordinary examples of this kind of dedication: Ms. Deborah Langley and the First Presbyterian Church of Michigan City.
Held at the Orak Shrine in Michigan City, this year’s event honored these remarkable recipients with the Fred Weiss Award and Ed Merrion Award, respectively, recognizing their exceptional service to our shelter and the broader unhoused community.
A Heart That Serves: Deborah Langley’s Journey of Love
When Deborah Langley received this year’s Weiss Award, it was a recognition long overdue. Her story with Nest Community Shelter began from the very beginning. She was there when founders Nancy Bracken and Dorothy Miller first shared their vision with the board of First Presbyterian Church, where Deborah served as a board member.
From the early days of the PADS program to our current permanent home at the historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Deborah, or Deb as we know her, has been a constant presence at Nest. After retiring from her career teaching second-grade and early childhood education at Michigan City Area Schools, she could have chosen any number of ways to spend her time. Instead, she decided to serve our unhoused community, and all of Michigan City is better for it.
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you’ll find Deb in the kitchen, preparing meals with a beautifully simple philosophy: “food is love.” And anyone who has tasted her cooking can tell you that love is evident in every dish. Guests don’t just appreciate the nourishment; they can taste the care and compassion she pours into every meal.
What inspires us most is Deb’s motivation. When asked why she dedicates so much of her time to Nest, she speaks not of recognition or personal fulfillment, but of her desire to support the Nest staff and ease their burdens. It’s this selfless spirit that has made her such an invaluable part of our community for over two decades.
Two Decades of Unwavering Partnership
The First Presbyterian Church of Michigan City’s receipt of the Merrion Award tells a story of remarkable institutional commitment. This isn’t just about a church or faith community that occasionally volunteers; this is about a congregation that has woven service to the unhoused community into the very fabric of their mission.
The partnership began in 2001 when church members Nancy Miller and Dorothy Bracken witnessed the struggles of unhoused community members and brought this urgent need to their church board. The session (church board) didn’t just express sympathy; they took action, committing the church as a founding partner in what would become the Interfaith Community PADS program and Nest today.
What followed was a masterclass in sustained commitment. Through the traveling PADS days, the 2008 recession, and the 2020 pandemic, First Presbyterian never wavered. They’ve conducted monthly collection drives for essential items, provided yearly financial support, and maintained their volunteer presence throughout our evolution.
Laura Kittle, Clerk of Session, accepted the award on behalf of the congregation, a fitting representation of how this church approaches service: as a collective commitment rather than individual heroics.
The Ripple Effect of Compassion
“Deb and First Presbyterian Church embody the spirit of selfless service that is at the heart of our mission,” Harrison Holtkamp, Executive Director of Nest Community Shelter said when comment on these acts of volunteerism. “Their dedication has not only impacted the lives of our guests but has also inspired our staff and volunteers.”
This inspiration is perhaps the most important aspect of recognition like this. When we celebrate individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional service, we’re not just acknowledging past contributions, we’re lighting a path for others to follow.
The Weiss Award and Merrion Award serve as more than just recognition; they’re a call to action. They remind us that sustainable change happens when people and organizations commit not just to moments of service, but to years and decades of showing up.
Looking Forward
As we celebrate these 2025 recipients, we’re reminded that the fight against homelessness is won through the accumulated impact of people like Deb Langley, who shows up three days a week with love in the form of home-cooked meals. It’s won through partnerships like the one with First Presbyterian Church, where an entire congregation has chosen to make caring for the unhoused a defining part of their identity. It is won through the room full of volunteers that joined us at this impactful event.
These awards don’t mark the end of their service, they mark a moment to pause and recognize the extraordinary impact of ordinary people choosing to serve extraordinarily. Here’s to many more years of their compassion in action, and to the inspiration they provide for all of us to follow in their footsteps.
