SHOULDERING OTHERS BURDENS

By Jennifer Gombach

Eric Hauck DePauw ’93 is director and co-founder of Beggarman Ministries Inc., a 501(c)( 3) organization in Wichita, Kansas, that operates transitional houses to assist men coming out of prison, rehab, homelessness and other difficult life circumstances. Its goal is to empower those who join by surrounding them with a community that is committed to bearing their burdens and providing them with support and opportunities.

Indiana House Mom, Dorothy Brown, with Hauk, who claimed, “She was amazing!”

Hauck’s desire to found Beggarman Ministries is rooted in his time with Phi Kappa Psi’s Indiana Alpha Chapter at DePauw University in the mid-’90s. Having pledged the Fraternity as a freshman, Hauck lived in the Phi Psi House, known as the “Rockpile,” until graduation. The decision to join Phi Psi is one that forever has shaped Eric’s life and one he says he has never regretted.

“Even though it was over 30 years ago, I vividly remember the emotions of excitement, anxiety and doubt that were spinning around the Rush experience,” he recalled. “I also remember the exhilaration of being told that I was accepted along with my soccer teammates and friends. In Phi Psi, I experienced the gifts of honesty, friendship, support, tolerance, accountability and laughter,” he reflected.

During those years, Hauck said, he grew to truly appreciate the value of brotherhood, community, academic and athletic excellence, philanthropy, and fun. While at DePauw, he received two awards that empowered him to explore his passion and career. In 1995 he was recognized with the Ruddick C. Lawrence Award that focuses on service to campus, college community and hometown organizations. In 1996 he received the Walker Cup award for campus and community involvement. 

He said even at that young age he was encouraged to use his time and skills to help others and serve the community. 

“I learned the value of Brotherhood and community living — of helping each other and being able to shoulder the burdens of my brothers. I also learned discipline and boundaries and the value of accountability,” he said.

“Witnessing the life experience of bearing one another’s burdens is a lesson that has influenced what I do now, even 30 years later.”

Since graduating in 1996, Hauck has been through his own journey of ups and downs — successes and failures, addictions and secrets, and epically beautiful and tragically painful relationships. “I have learned the gifts of living life in community and of offering hope to others because of the hope I have been given by others along my life’s road,” he said.

Together, Hauck and his wife, Ali, structured the nonprofit to serve the community.

Today Hauck oversees the operations of Beggarman Ministries, which seeks to provide a healthy community for residents and assist them with housing, transportation, jobs, meals, education, recovery, healing and faith. Beggarman welcomed its first residents in October 2020, and in May 2024 it officially became an IRS-recognized entity. Since opening, the organization has housed 28 men, has provided seven vehicles, and is preparing to open its next home to eight new residents. 

“We believe that none of us were created to walk alone, that all of us need help in life’s journey at some point, and that none of us are better than anyone else,” Hauck said.

Being a not-for-profit, Beggarman relies on the generosity of supporters, including many of Hauck’s Brothers. “For me, one of the most beautiful pictures of Brotherhood happened about six months ago,” he said. “I texted my pledge Brothers in our group chat and told them about Beggarman Ministries becoming a 501(c)(3), and almost every single one of them quickly donated and joined our support team. I was so blessed by their generosity, and I know that their gifts were the result of 30 years of life friendships that started at Phi Psi.”

Music plays a vital role in Beggarman Ministries’ purpose to find healing and joy for those in need.

Hauck encourages all to check in with their pledge Brothers even if they haven’t talked in years. “We never know the battles others might be fighting. I believe that it is in serving others that we often find our greatest healing and joy, and we are more completely satisfied when we are not simply living for our own well-being,” he said. “May my Phi Psi Brothers across the country discover ways to bear the burdens of those they encounter. Keep on pressing on to love and value those in your path. … Blessings to you, Brothers!” 

You can learn more about Hauck’s organization at BeggarmanMinistries.org. If you have questions or would like to get involved, contact Eric at Eric@BeggarmanMinistries.org