In a journey down memory lane, Willis Stover recently returned to the Centralia Residential Campus of One Hope United, formerly known as the Hudelson Home, where he lived as a child from 1947 to 1952.
Willis reconnected with One Hope United after discovering an old photo of himself on the organization’s Facebook page. The memory sparked a desire to reconnect, and he reached out expressing interest in touring the campus, a place that played a big part of his childhood.
At the age of five, Willis came to the Hudelson Home following a difficult family transition. He spent five years there alongside his older sister. During his recent visit, Willis toured the updated facility and reflected on the care and support he received as a child. He shared stories about his time in foster care, which later encouraged him to adopt two children of his own.
In an unexpected discovery during his visit, staff found records revealing Willis has a half-brother he had never known about. To help him explore this new family connection, One Hope United gifted Willis a DNA ancestry kit to take home.
As Willis shares his memories of growing up here, I hold the same hope and vision for the youth who walk these grounds today. This is a place that helps children see their goals, realize their dreams, and gives them the tools they need to reach them.
– Stephanie Bowdler, Director of Programs at One Hope United’s Centralia campus
Willis’s journey is part of a long history of care and support at One Hope United, an organization that has been making a difference in children’s lives for 130 years.
Watch Willis Stover’s full story and tour here: