Hope
Almost 25 years ago Covenant Church began inner-city ministry with children. A city park was rented on Sundays for about ten years. Children and parents were bused to the park for a Bible lesson, crafts, and food.
Covenant then linked with an inner-city church and helped the people remodel their sanctuary and improve the exterior. Love INC and other volunteers assisted in the project and a number of individuals contributed gifts of money and materials. Ministry to the community happened in the remodeled sanctuary for about one year.
Property was found in another location. The Lord graciously guided the purchase of property put into a trust and called Hope Community Center. The building was old, very solid-built like a fort. It had once served as a telephone company switching station. However, the roof burdened with huge air-conditioners had developed major problems.
Covenant Church decided that the community center could best operate as an IRS 501 C (3) foundation, thus a separate legal entity. Piedmont Housing Authority and architects Steve Von Storch, Katie Swinson, and Liz Hoogheem came along to encourage design of a new building and the remodeling of the old building. Gentry and Sons, Parham Construction, Lynch Roofing and numerous other companies and individuals labored generously to bring plans to completion.
The city comprehensive plan called for a community center in the neighborhood. Neighbors were kind and helpful. The buildings include a police substation and became the site of Tenth and Paige Neighborhood meetings. After-school programs, summer camps, and multiple events dot the calendar. Three churches use the buildings on Sundays. A state-of-the-art computer lab offers classes. Virginia Employment Commission is making Hope a site where folks can go online and link to the main office.
About 5 months ago, Hope opened its doors to keep homeless persons at night. To date the head count is about 7,500. An excellent meal is provided each night. Residents are able to take a shower. Men and women are segregated by buildings. Currently three children-ages 10 months, 4 and 11 years old—stay at the center with their mom and dad.
A career day was offered by Hope in cooperation with Piedmont Virginia Community College, and 58 homeless persons were interviewed, orientated by professionals for job interviews, and provided professional resumes. The following day about 25 of these persons were taken to a job fair and given priority treatment.
Folks now called "clients" abide by the rules, help with the chores, mop and clean up, and have come to call their nightly habitat "Hope Village." When newcomers arrive the "old timers" make sure that rules are followed.
A number of persons have been enrolled in college, obtained jobs, moved into apartments, been taken to health screenings, and assisted in studies for their GED.
On April 17 the Charlottesville Board of Zoning will hear an appeal. The zoning administrator has ruled that Hope Community Center is in violation as a shelter. While the discussion is amiable, about 50 people are at risk.
Salvation Army houses more than 60 persons each night, and the Major of Salvation Army has encouraged Hope to help. PACEM works cooperatively to house homeless persons in local churches...moving them from church to church—including Covenant Church. PACEM operates its housing program in the hard winter months. PACEM and Hope both work cooperatively with multiple organizations in efforts to serve the homeless population with connections to any and all agencies serving as resources.
Josh Bare has served excellently as coordinator of Hope's shelter program. Lori-Ann Strait, Executive Director of Hope, also assists with scheduling and ordering, in addition to responsibilities for daytime activities. Kitty Baker has been coordinator of meals. The buildings have kitchens, but are not designed to be commercial. Covenant Church, Southside Church of God, Solid Rock Church, and Galilee Baptist have supplied meals along with many individuals.
A van has been bought on credit. Clients are taken to job interviews, health screenings, medical appointments, educational opportunities, etc. Hope has to be born in the heart of people broken by life circumstances before they can believe the future can be better.
Talking with the clients Saturday night, I asked them to please continue to cooperate by living a quiet life and not speaking negatively. A person spoke up: "Would you tell the city we want to give back to the city?" A number of voices echoed and heads nodded affirmatively.
Meanwhile, this AM an eleven year-old girl has an opportunity to bathe, be discreetly taken to a place to be picked up for school, and be an A/B student today. HOPE.
Thanks for your prayers. We especially covet them for the April 17 meeting.
Pastor Bare
Isaiah 58:10