History
In 1988, Syracuse native, Pastor Rick Torrence was given a divine vision of a multifaceted organization that would touch the lives of multitudes of people. Pastor Rick, along with his wife LaVerne & their five children, began laying the ground work for this vision to become a reality. Community outreach was the initial aim for the ministry based organization. Early on the Torrence family used inspirational music as a pathway to share God’s Love. Pastor Rick organized a 25-voice community choir, performing in over 300 concerts throughout Central New York. This ministry through song continued for close to 20 years & touched the lives of many people near & far.
While working with neighboring families in the community, Mr. & Mrs. Torrence found an urgent need to assist the parents & children who they came in contact with. Many of whom lived by meager means & struggled to find resources from day to day. Determined to help, Winds of Agape started a “Families in Crisis” Program by collecting and distributing used clothing and furniture.
Winds of Agape was officially taking shape with the simple mission of: People helping people, through the spirit of giving. By 1994, Winds began to gain local recognition through their volunteer efforts & networking with local agencies. In 1995, the Torrences opened the first Winds of Agape Family Center on the northeast side of Syracuse. As members of the Food Bank of Central New York, Winds of Agape became one of the largest food distributors in the area, serving an estimated 400 to 600 families each month. Over the years the demand for assistance grew. It became evident that people not only needed food, furniture and clothing, they needed inspiration, support & empowerment. Winds of Agape became incorporated in 1999 and the time came for the family to embark upon yet another facet of the vision…
As a Registered Nurse and Nurse Educator, LaVerne Torrence, with the volunteered time of her nursing colleagues, started Winds of Agape Home Care Training Agency - Syracuse's first independent community training program. The goal of the agency was to teach marketable skills to people who needed to find gainful employment. This population included single parents, refugees, individuals seeking a second career, and those who sought to leave the public assistance program. In 2002, Winds of Agape became a Licensed Home Care Service Agency through New York State Department of Health, thereby enabling the agency to provide home care services & employment opportunities for RN’s, LPN’s, Certified Home Health Aides (CHHA) and Personal Care Aides (PCA). Winds of Agape Home Care Agency has trained hundreds of CHHAs & PCAs & continues to promote health & wellness in the community through public health education seminars – Nutrition, CPR, First Aid, Traumatic Brain Injury, Alzheimer’s Disease, etc.
Winds of Agape, Inc. continues to be an ever evolving positive force in the community. Winds programs and services are unlike any other in Central New York. It is a ministry based organization which has been held together by “pennies & prayers.” The personally & professionally skilled volunteers & employees who share their time, expertise & talents, allows Winds of Agape to demonstrate the AGAPE principle of “love in action.”
Agape (ah-GAH-pay) is a Greek word which means unconditional love. Our logo of a dove with an olive branch symbolizes our mission to spread love, hope and peace to all who come seeking help. Winds of Agape, Inc. networks with numerous community agencies, including The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Vera House, the Veterans Hospital, Crouse Hospital, Community Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the County of Onondaga Department of Social Services, Hillbrook Facility, The Junior League of Syracuse, Liberty Resources, ARISE, AIDS Community Resources, Francis House, etc.
The vision of Winds of Agape was a seed that was planted in the heart of a man who shared the burden of sacrificial living with his family. The roots of this ministry have grown deep and the limbs have spread wide, allowing all who seek refuge, a place to rest in its branches.
