Our House is a ministry of By Our Love, an Alabama non-profit corporation, that was born out of local mission outreach to families who live in Ridgecrest, an Auburn Housing Authority community. Our ministry is housed - quite literally - in two homes that are located in northwest Auburn along North Donahue Drive and Bedell Avenue.
Upon entering Our House, it is easy to see that LOVE LIVES HERE. God has graciously provided a Christian home environment in which the neighborhood children can grow spiritually, academically and socially. Many of our students have grown up coming to Our House after school for help with their school work, to spend time with friends and to participate in extracurricular activities.
We believe that we are called to love, serve and be present to our neighbors. Therefore, we continue to show the love of Jesus in practical ways and foster relationships that demonstrate our genuine care and concern for their spiritual, emotional and social well-being.
OUR HOUSE HISTORY
MEET OUR BOARD & STAFF
Executive Director-
REne Waldrop
Rene Waldrop is a graduate of Auburn University and Tulane Law School. For more than 20 years, Rene’ practiced corporate law with an emphasis on business entities, mergers, acquisitions and real estate. She is currently an instructor of Business Law at Auburn University and the Director of Our House. Rene’ uses her education and experience in administration, operation and fundraising for this ministry, but credits her Christian upbringing and love for the Lord as her motivation to love and serve the Our House children and their families.
Secretary/Treasurer- James Clemens
James Clemens earned Accounting and MBA degrees from Auburn University and went on to become the president and part owner of SouthWare Innovations. James and his wife, Linda have two daughters and a granddaughter who they enjoy spending time with them. They enjoy leading classes for engaged and married couples, and James is also involved in personal financial planning. Counseling and personal finance are the focus of his ministry efforts where he works to mentor young fathers and husbands along with helping children have the skills they need to break free from the cycle of poverty. He enjoys golf, weight lifting, and traveling.
Board member- Haley Brooks
Haley Brooks is from Birmingham, AL and is a graduate of Auburn University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. She earned her Masters Degree from Clemson University and practiced athletic training for several years. She returned to school to receive her Teacher’s Certificate and is currently teaching at Auburn Classical Academy. Haley and her husband, Jermile, have three boys, Caleb, Aiden and Hunter. Their family leads a serve team that serves at Our House every First Saturday. They both have a passion to see kids reach their full potential and walk in the gifts and talents the Lord has blessed them with.
Board Member- Ellyn Hix
Ellyn Hix earned her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Auburn University. Ellyn has retired from Auburn University and now serves as a volunteer at Our House. Ellyn and her husband have spent most of their marriage giving back to children in the Auburn community through coaching sports and serving as youth counselors at their church. Ellyn has a passion for building self-esteem in children to provide them with the foundation to be successful and make a difference in this world.
Board Member- Calvin Patrick
Calvin Patrick is a native of Seale, Alabama. He graduated from Chavala High School (currently Russell County High School). He is married to Alesia Patrick and they have three children and five grandchildren. Calvin has always been very family oriented and involved in the community and in ministry. He is Pastor of the Youth Ministry at True Deliverance Holiness Church, where he oversees programs and events that cater to the spiritual and social needs of the youth. He coaches, mentors, and develops leaders to assist him in the Youth Ministry. Calvin is also the Senior Director of the Changing Hearts and Destiny Outreach Ministry in the Education Department. In this role, he oversees the K-12 After school Tutorial Program and the Adult GED Preparation Classes Program. Calvin has been employed in various roles at Briggs and Stratton for over 15 years.
Director of operations-
ouida lawrence
Ouida is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and is a dedicated advocate and seasoned educator. She is also a gifted community leader who is one of the four founders of EFEA (Exceptional Foundation of East Alabama), a nonprofit organization serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Ouida has worked in previous roles as a lead teacher, curriculum writer, and a strategist, but her heartbeat is philanthropic service through the lens of the Gospel. From developing an after school program for children to being a statewide data coordinator of a nonprofit, Ouida strives to create environments where people are set up to thrive in a community of engagement. By combining her experiences and unique skill set with the mission of Our House, Ouida continues the call on her life to build relationships and to minister to others in ways that encourage their personal success. During her free time, Ouida enjoys spending time with her husband, John, and their three daughters, Virginia, Ava, and Abby.
Director of Teen Development and Family Support-
Marla Peoples
Marla is a graduate of Auburn University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business.
Marla’s passion to serve others was planted at a very young age. As a child of missionary parents, she saw firsthand the fruits of eternal investments.
Prior to moving to Auburn and joining our team, Marla lived and worked in Georgia where she was an independent business owner, worked as a Human Resources consultant, and was a Human Resources manager in a large corporation. She also volunteered at a Christian organization in Georgia where she had the opportunity to establish close connections with teens and work with them throughout their high school career as well as forge strong relationships with their parents. This previous ministry experience has helped drive her desire to join our staff and live out the mission of Our House.
Marla’s contagious passion for teenagers and her unique skills are sure to make a positive impact and help Our House students reach their full potential.
Marla and her husband, Greg, have three children - Hunter, Amber, and Carter. Hunter and Amber are in college, and Carter is currently enrolled in Auburn City Schools. Marla loves sports, travel and spending time with her family.
program coordinator K-5th-
Eliza shipman
Eliza Shipman graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, where she developed a strong interest in understanding people, their stories, and how to walk alongside others in challenging times and in times of growth. During her time at Auburn, Eliza was actively involved with the Auburn Christian Student Center, an organization that deeply shaped her faith, character, and desire to serve others with purpose and compassion.
The unique calling on Eliza's life to serve became especially clear during multiple mission trips to Nicaragua. These trips opened her eyes to the impact of intentional service and affirmed her passion for supporting and empowering others in meaningful ways. Eliza experienced the power of building relationships across cultures and meeting people where they are.
Eliza had the opportunity to be a Camp Counselor at Our House this past summer, where she was able to closely work with children and build meaningful relationships with them. What started as a temporary summer role quickly turned into something much deeper! When the end of summer arrived, Eliza found herself fully invested in the Our House community. Eliza's summer experience solidified her passion for hands-on, community-focused ministry and confirmed her desire to pursue a path where she can continue making a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Nutrition and Teen Program Coordinator- Maggie Propst
Maggie graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Human Sciences in Global Studies. Throughout her time at AU, Maggie served as the President and Vice President of the Global Tigers Association. In this role, Maggie worked to plan and implement memorable events for students. In addition, Maggie served as a student mentor through Auburn Abroad. One highlight for her was working at Kathmandu, Nepal’s only youth center. Maggie’s servant’s heart coupled with her experience have fueled her passion to give back to the young people who the Lord brings into her life - what a perfect fit for the mission of Our House!
Maggie has made an impact at Our House as a Practicum Student, Volunteer, and now Nutrition and Teen Program Coordinator. Maggie absolutely loves doing life with our kids and their families.
girls scout leader-
judy prior
Judy was raised in a tight knit Italian American family with incredible parents and ten siblings. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Purdue University and a master’s degree in Environmental Interpretation from North Carolina State University. Judy was a science educator for the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences before marrying her husband, Steve, and moving to Auburn. She worked as a research technician and then a lab supervisor in the AU Microbiology department.
Judy is a member of Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Auburn. For ten years, she volunteered as a religious educator. Currently, she serves as the church’s nursery coordinator. Judy has been a Girl Scout volunteer for 34 years. She has served as a leader, trainer, and event organizer. She has guided seven girls, including her daughter, Beth, to their Gold Awards. Judy loves helping girls discover their inner strength. She feels strongly about the girls- only environment where girls are free to explore and challenge themselves. At Our House, she
leads 35 girls.
Donor Development team-
jermile Brooks
Jermile earned his degree from the College of Charleston and went on to get his Masters degree from Clemson University. His professional background includes sports medicine and sales, and nonprofit development, equipping him with both strategic insight and a heart for service.
Jermile brings a passion for community engagement and a deep commitment to building relationships that make a lasting impact. He is currently a Development Officer in Student Affairs at Auburn University, where he focuses on cultivating partnerships that support student success and holistic development.
For over 10 years, Jermile and his family have faithfully served at Our House, sharing in its mission to love, serve, and walk alongside the Ridgecrest community. His connection to the work is deeply personal and rooted in the belief that consistent presence and authentic relationships can transform lives.
Volunteer Coordinator-
Madeline Kesterson
Madeline is currently completing her degree at Auburn University in Accounting and Information Systems Management, which she will complete in May. She began volunteering at Our House during her sophomore year and over time has developed strong relationships with the students. Madeline loves celebrating student's academic achievements, encouraging their personal growth and making strong connections for the future.
Madeline's heart for the community grows deeper each day as she serves at Our House. As the Volunteer Coordinator, she is focused on ways to support and organize our volunteers. With a unique "eye for detail", Madeline ensures that our students' academic time is efficient and productive.
When she is not at Our House, Madeline enjoys quality time with her family and friends, spending time outdoors, and cheering on the Auburn Tigers!
As we spend time with neighbors, we pray that our loving, serving, and mentoring of men, women, and children will be a partnership with God to draw them into a personal relationship with His Son.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions about Our House and our ministry. We hope this gives you the answers you are looking for. Please email ourhouseauburn@gmail.com if you have any other questions.
Who can come to Our House?
School-aged children (K-12th) who live in or around Ridgecrest can come to Our House after school for a snack, tutoring and enrichment activities. We seek to build community with our neighbors and periodically host gatherings for the whole family – this is a fun time when parents, grandparents, younger siblings, and/or cousins of Our Kids join us, as well as others in the neighborhood.
Is Our House affiliated with a particular church?
Our House is a ministry of By Our Love, a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation. While it is a Christian ministry, we are not affiliated with a particular denomination or church – we simply love Jesus and love others. Our Founders and Board Members attend different churches and we receive support from a number of local churches.
What schools do the Our House kids attend?
Woodland Pines: K-2nd
Yarbrough: 3rd-5th
Drake: 6th
East Samford: 7th
Auburn Jr. High: 8th-9th
Auburn High: 10th-12th
How is Our House different from Boys and Girls Club? Do you compete with Boys and Girls Club?
Our House is similar to Boys and Girls Club in certain ways, yet we operate within a Christian home environment. It is important to us for Our Kids to be loved and discipled, as well as to receive help with homework, etc. Like Boys and Girls Club, we serve students who can benefit from positive role models and a sense of community.
What is Breakfast Club?
A consistent team of volunteers hosts Breakfast Club at Our House on the first Saturday of each month. This is a wonderful time of food and fellowship for the whole family. In addition to serving a big breakfast, there is a Bible message and time to build relationships. Volunteers also help with various projects on an as needed basis.
How do I sign my child up for Our House?
We would love to be able to accommodate all the students who want to come to Our House, but our space is limited. Those who would like to be a part of Our House need to speak with a member of our staff and complete a registration form. We will make a determination based upon the age of the student and how many other students we already have in their grade. Priority is given to families who live in our neighborhood or to relatives of our current students. We do not accept elementary students who are not enrolled at Woodland Pines or Yarbrough.
How is Our House funded?
We have been blessed with the generous financial support of many individuals, local churches and several family foundations. As a result, we own both houses and are debt free. Monthly donors have committed funds to help cover a portion of our operating budget. Our fundraising efforts are focused around sharing our excitement over what God is doing through this ministry. We have not applied for government grants to support our work, as there are often strict guidelines and/or limitations on how those funds can be used.