Philanthropist David Hosea Creating New Charity Hub in Newport

I wanted to take a moment to spotlight an absolute gem that we have in NKY. This guy walks the walk every day as he continues to give back and help those in the community who are struggling. I don't know the man but I am thankful for his generosity and caring nature. We need more David Hoseas in the world!

Philanthropist David Hosea creating new charity hub in Newport

NEWPORT – Philanthropist David Hosea will make an imposing 60,000-square-foot church the headquarters for his legacy of caring.

A soup kitchen and teen mentoring program will be among nine charities Hosea will move into 801 York St., Newport. First Baptist Church of Newport will remain in its sanctuary there for as long as it wants for a $1 lease, Hosea said.

In August, the Hosea Project Movers owner from Fort Thomas will turn 71. Hosea and his wife, Marcia, intend to create a lasting legacy for their private giving tradition by creating the nonprofit David Hosea Seeds of Hope Foundation.

"We’re both in our 70s and there’s no time in our lives for everything we do," he said. "So, we’re going to hire someone to oversee our foundation and oversee everything we do in the community."

Most space in two, three-story wings next to the church will be home for Hosea's charitable giving expansion plan. Hosea bought the church's property in 2016 for $350,000. The church maintains offices on the second floor of the wing bordering Eighth Street.

Hosea's most well-known charity is the nearly 27-year-old Henry Hosea House soup kitchen. Named after David Hosea's father, the soup kitchen is open every day.

► The Henry Hosea House will move within two years from its location a block away on York Street, he said.

"We're averaging 250 people a day being fed," Hosea said.

Because of fire codes, Hosea House may only seat 65 people at a time. Sometimes as many as 350 hungry people are fed in a day.

"If it’s raining or snowing or freezing those people are standing outside and I just don’t want that to happen," Hosea said.

► Mentoring Plus moved after-school programs for teens ages 13-18 into 801 York St. last year.

Volunteer mentors are paired one-on-one with 10 teens for two-hour sessions four days each week, program director Robin Anderson said. Hosea donated all the furnishings and space for Mentoring Plus to operate. Schools and therapists have referred teens to the program from Cold Spring, Crescent Springs, Alexandria and Independence, Anderson said.

►​ A new Hosea program for children age 12 and younger will use an existing indoor gym. The Ernie Liggett Inner City Basketball League will be run and named after longtime Hosea Project Movers employee Ernie Liggett, Hosea said.

►​ Hosea's private gifts to people in immediate need will turn into the new Father William Neuroth Hope Chest. The Rev. Bill Neuroth founded nonprofit charity hub Brighton Center in Newport and helped start Hosea's food pantry.

Someone in need of money, having a tooth pulled or needing emergency rent will be able to call for help. "It's an honor system," Hosea said. "You just pay it back when you can.

Other tenants Hosea will move into 801 York include David and Marcia Hosea Charities, David's Church in Need Rebuilding Fund, a sharing house for surplus food and clothing, a new college fund for Northern Kentucky University, and a bicycle giveaway program for children.

" A new Hosea program for children age 12 and younger will use an existing indoor gym. The Ernie Liggett Inner City Basketball League will be run and named after longtime Hosea Project Movers employee Ernie Liggett, Hosea said."

Happy to see Ernie Liggett receive some name recognition.

Old timers remember Ernie as a premiere 9th Region Basketball official back in the day.

Ernie still stays connected to the sport, serving as an assistant coach for the Highlands Freshmen basketball program.