Roderick and LaVerne Torrence were two college sweethearts who, after graduation, settled down, got married and began their life together in Syracuse. Rick, short for Roderick, was part owner of his family's construction business, and LaVerne, who has a Masters degree in nursing held a tenure track teaching position at Syracuse University.

Mr. and Mrs. Torrence, proud parents of five children, were living the life they had always dreamt of, but something was missing. They could no longer feel pleasure in their own success while watching their neighbors struggle against the demons of urban life. Rick and LaVerne had always tried to live by the "Golden Rule", and when they saw people in need, they wanted to take immediate action.

In 1988, they decided to devote themselves and their family to helping their community. LaVerne soon gave up her full-time teaching position and Rick conceded control of the family business to his brothers… Winds of Agape was officially taking shape with the simple mission of: People helping people, through the spirit of giving.

Winds began as a children's choir designed to keep kids off of the streets, but soon grew to be much more. As word of the children's choir spread, volunteers began to surface and people with a host of personal hardships began to look towards Winds of Agape for help

Determined to help, Winds of Agape soon started a Families in Need Program by collecting and distributing used clothing and furniture. Through volunteer efforts Winds began to gain local recognition, and in 1992, in conjunction with theFood Bank of Central New York became one of the largest food distributors in the area, serving an estimated 400 to 600 families each month. Sacrifice, indeed, depicts the measure of Winds productivity, but still the organization wanted to do more.

Many of us consider all welfare recipients as shiftless, uninspired people who enjoy nothing more than supporting themselves and their families through someone else's hard work. Needless-to-say, this sentiment, as with any other generalization, is far from the truth. Rick and LaVerne have discovered that many people, especially single mothers, are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to support themselves and become positive role models for their children. This feeling prompted the Torrences and their volunteers to recognize that there was an urgent community need where these welfare recipients could become gainfully employed due to the need for qualified Home Health Care specialists.  

As a registered nurse and nursing instructor, LaVerne Torrence was the perfect person to begin Winds' Home Health Aide Training Agency - Syracuse's first independent community training program. Winds assists welfare recipients enter the working world as Certified Home Health Aides.

 

On June 23, 1999, Winds of Agape received certification from the New York State Department of Health. As this program continues, more and more individuals are interested in enrolling in Home Health Aide classes. To date, 275 Home Health Care Specialists have been certified.

 

Winds programs and services are unlike any other in Central New York. Winds of Agape assists individuals who, for a variety of reasons, other organizations have not been able to help. The Junior League of Syracuse, The Salvation Army, Vera House (for victims of domestic violence), The Upstate New York Veterans Health Care Network and the County of Onondaga Department of Social Services Hillbrook Facility, are among the numerous organizations who have referred people in need to Winds of Agape.

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