Shelter Program Support

Hope House assists pregnant women, single mothers who are not pregnant, their dependent children and newborn babies when in need. We are a welcome refuge for women who have no other place to go because of domestic violence, homelessness, addiction or being left completely abandoned and alone. We provide shelter and assistance to mothers and their children regardless of race, age, ethnicity, religion or disability. Our ministry gives them the opportunity to accept responsibility, to care for their children, further their education, obtain employment, permanent housing and become productive, self-sufficient members of our community with the support of our staff and volunteers. Our mission and goal is to provide compassion, shelter, assistance and education for the women and their children of our community when homeless, abandoned, abused, addicted and when faced with a crisis pregnancy situation. The $10,000 from the Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation will be used for the program expenses of our Hope House Shelter and Supportive Services to provide food, clothing, medical assistance, shelter, education, parenting skills, case management, and job training to the pregnant women, single mothers and their children of our community who are in need.

The funds from the Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation comprise 2.75% of our annual budget of $362,700. Last year, Hope House provided assistance to 1,395 clients through our Gabriel Project Community Outreach Program and shelter residents. The average length of stay at our shelters was 103 days per resident. 63% of our residents were previously homeless, 6% came for support and/or adoption services, 25% to escape from domestic violence and 6% for rehabilitation from drug or alcohol abuse. The average age of the women at our shelters was 25 years with an ethnic breakdown of 47% Hispanic, 13% African American, 9% Asian American and 31% Caucasian. 21 months was the average age of the children residing in our shelters with six mothers giving birth during their residency. 75% of the mothers who resided in our shelters completed our Life Skills Training Program and 22% attended GED classes and college through our Educational Assistance Program. 44% of our residents obtained permanent housing, employment and/or reconciled with family members when they left Hope House. 31% remained as residents in 2012 and 25% were placed in other facilities or removed for failure to comply with our shelter requirements. The number of clients served in 2011 was down from previous years, since our Faith Home Shelter was closed for a few months, due to repairs caused by a fire.

The Hope House Shelter and Supportive Services Program will positively impact the world as the lives of our residents are positively changed. Changes that will occur for the children as a result of our program are a stable living environment; support and encouragement to succeed in school; adequate school supplies, clothing, food, and rewards; and an improved self-esteem and self-image to succeed. Changes that will occur for mothers as a result of our program are improved parenting skills, knowledge and the will to become a loving and caring mother, improved educational background with the skills necessary to attain employment, acquire affordable housing, and become a productive self-sufficient member of our community.