Hope Community Center
In the 1940’s and 1950’s Preacher Luke, a former pastor of the Presbyterian congregation, cared about young people, giving himself generously to gather up to 200 children to VBS, lead scout groups for boys, etc.
In days past there were hard differences between denominations. However, Preacher Luke was respected by people of all denominations, whether or not folks like what the Presbyterians said they believed.
Recently, I asked myself: "Why are you giving efforts to work at a community center in downtown Charlottesville?" Introspectively and reflectively soon I was back to Preacher Luke, who made a lasting impression on my life.
The question is: Do you think that what you do can make a difference in the life of another person...for good or for bad? Do you think an abusive father affects his child’s life? Do you think a Sunday morning Bible teacher of teacher has lasting impact? Do you think a child from a dysfunctional home being in an after-school athletic program or reading program will have lasting influence in the child’s life?
You know the answer. Yes, we can make a difference in the life of a person. Take a little boy at Hope Community Center. He lives in a neighborhood much in need. Few own their homes. Crime is higher than average. Lots of fathers are absent. He goes to school with children that are wealthy, tutored, in soccer and other special programs. He has not performed well academically. In Hope's after school program and summer camp, he returned to school this Fall. When he received "Student of the Week Award" there was celebration by the school officials!
One of the boy’s teachers walked to nearby Hope Community Center to share appreciation for Hope's impact upon the boy's life. Since then the school has decided to partner much more closely in working with other children in the neighborhood.
An elderly African American lady observed about a social problem in the community. "Nobody cares about us. We do not have anyone to speak for us," she said. It is not whether what she said is fact. The point is she felt that way. I calmly replied: "Hope Community Center cares. We are here. We are speaking up for this neighborhood."
She was thoughtful for a moment and said: "You do care."
Yes, we care. It is a deep caring that begins in our hearts. It is a caring that is the pulse and heartbeat of Covenant Church, which established Hope Foundation as 501 C 3, tax exempt. Covenant works in partnership along with other organizations as Hope is now its own entity. Kind and generous people have helped to build a new building, remodel an old building, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts-in-kind and donations. The facilities are among the finest of any community center in the Charlottesville area.
A police academy, after school program for children, ESL for adult and children immigrants, reading program, Piedmont Community College extension classes, neighborhood community meetings, various churches with various events, birthday parties, and extension ministries of Covenant Church are part of the good news of a community center that has been operational for less than one year! The University of Virginia is sending tutors to Hope two days each week to work one-to-one with students. A computer lab will offer classes for adults and children.
Part of the challenge of any new organization is start-up. Needs are great; however, working into the funding mechanism for grants and gifts takes time. Most grants are for programs, which does not help with operational and administrative expense.
If you could have been at Hope on a recent Monday night you would have seen 11 Burmese adults and 17 Burmese children get off of a bus. None of the adults are English literate. Only a few of the children speak acceptable English for school.
Teaching English with a Christian base is being offered first to Burmese. We have also discovered an enclave of Russians, Turks, and Afghans. Our goal is to help prepare them for school and the job market with good English that will include knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Have you read this far and want to help make a wonderful difference in the lives of others (Isaiah 58:10)? There are simple ways to help. One, pray for the ministries and programs of Hope. Two, volunteer. Covenant children’s ministries has a specialized outreach through Hope. Contact Pastor Autumn at a.graves@covenantchurch.net.
Three, give. There are several ways you can give tax-deductible gifts. Transfer stocks. Cash or check. Gifts-in-kind. You may have other ideas.
State Farm Insurance allows you to volunteer a certain number of hours and the corporation makes a cash donation. What does your company do for charities? Do they match gifts? Please inquire.
If you are giving to United Way, consider directing your gift to Hope Community Center. You must designate Hope Community Center with address: 341 11th Street NW, Charlottesville, VA. Hope Community Center is registered with United Way.
Please understand that many grants, loans, and matching gifts do not give to churches, thus Hope Community Center can be an arm for good where a church cannot reach directly.
You can make a difference. Together, we can make a huge difference.
Much love --
Pastor Bare (also President of Hope Community Center)
"If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday." Isaiah 58:10