Tag Archive for: #hopehouse

TownTalk: Community Partners of Hope Men’s Shelter 365 Dream Team

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Darryl Jones is walking, talking proof about getting – and giving – second chances in life.

And just in case anybody wonders about the good things that go on at the emergency men’s shelter and Hope House here in Henderson, Jones is a living testimony.

He’s been shelter program manager for just over a month now. But a decade ago, he was one of the first two residents of Hope House, transitional housing that helps men get back on their feet and become productive, contributing citizens of their community.

The men’s shelter and the transitional housing program are part of Community Partners of Hope. Jones was a guest on TownTalk Monday to share his story and to encourage the community to continue to support the efforts of CPOH.

“I went through a time in my life when I needed help, and I reached out,” Jones said. There’s an array of services and resources available in the area – from vocational rehabilitation to mental health providers and job training programs – and he wants the clients CPOH serves make use of them.

“If you apply yourself, you’ll be on the right track to getting back your life,” Jones explained. “You have to stay the course – you have to want it.”

Jones himself is a prime example. He was admittedly in a low place in his life back in 2014, but he stuck with it and was selected among the first two residents of Hope House, which opened in 2015. With a job in food service and things beginning to look up, Jones was asked to come to work as shelter manager.

“Of course, I wanted to give back, so I said yes,” he recalled.

Since its inception, the men’s shelter has been housed in the basement of the Presbyterian Church in downtown Henderson. But renovations have been underway at the former City Road Methodist Church to transform the buildings to be the new shelter home, called City Road Center of Hope.

Jones said the plan is to start moving “stuff” next week in advance of the June 15 move date for those who currently spend their nights at the shelter.

But it’s June already – doesn’t the shelter only operate during the cold winter months?

That was then, Jones said, and this is the new reality. The shelter intends to remain open all year long, achieving a long-talked-about goal.

The 365 Dream Team concept is part of what’s been going on behind the scenes to allow the shelter to expand its operations and be available throughout the cold of winter, the heat of summer, and everywhere in between.

The idea is to get 365 people – or groups, or clubs, churches or other organizations – to donate $365 a year toward the overall operations of the shelter.

He’s overwhelmed by the support, including donations of meals to supplies, snacks and water for the clients, as well as the monetary support. Please keep it up, he added.

“Without you all, we wouldn’t be doing this. You are our backbone and we still need your support” to provide mentorships, internships and being volunteers.

For Jones, the staff and volunteers became like family when he most needed support. “They helped me and I wanted it,” he said. “I wanted to succeed and excel.”

“I’ve got a big place in my heart for them – what they did for me – they believed in me.

Visit www.cp-hope.org to learn how you can help. Make a financial donation, sign up to provide a meal, or volunteer.

Send tax-deductible contributions to:

Community Partners of Hope, Inc.

P.O. Box 1791

Henderson, NC 27536

Please note in Memo Line 365-2024-05

 

Click Play!

Community Partners of Hope

TownTalk: Community Partners Of Hope Looks To Community To Support Expansion

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Delthine Watson’s first involvement with Community Partners of Hope was as a volunteer who took home-cooked meals to share at the shelter. Today, Watson is the group’s community network specialist who is helping shape the vision to expand services to those who need help.

“That’s how I got started,” she told John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk. “I would cook a meal and take it to the shelter. I couldn’t do much, but I could cook a meal.”

Watson was interested when the non-profit announced the creation of a new position to work in the community. It seemed like a good match, she said, adding that her real joy comes in helping others.

We’ve all needed assistance at one time or another, she said. Her belief is that we have all been ‘the least of these,’ those whom the Bible says we should treat with kindness. And Community Partners of Hope’s Christ-focused mission has the support of numerous churches throughout the Henderson area. “It really shows how the community has come together to work on a need,” she said.

Watson’s office is at First Presbyterian Church, a church she said has been “awesome. They have certainly been a blessing. Without their support and help it would have been much more difficult – not impossible, but much more difficult.”

One of the challenges is finding a way to have the shelter operating all year long instead of November through March. And having a place where the men who sleep at the shelter can go during the daytime where they can get job training or help with other challenges they face.

Currently, under COVID-19 protocols, Hope House has room for 10 men.

“I feel confident in saying there are many more men in need of assistance,” Watson said.

Long-range goals include having services for males, females and families, she said.

“Wouldn’t that be great? It would be wonderful if there could be a larger Hope House, to accommodate more men and help them move to a different place in their lives,” she said.

That dream can become a reality with community support – not just from the religious community, but from the community at-large.

As the old saying goes, “all it takes is time and money.”

She isn’t ready to get into the details yet, but she said a fundraising campaign will be announced “very soon.”

It’s an inevitable fact that in order to provide programs and services, there has to be money coming in to fund those programs and services. “You have to have it to be able to do what you need to do,” she said.

The group will be looking at possible locations where they can offer those expanded services, she added.

There are many ways to help, from making a monetary donation to providing needed supplies. Visit their Facebook page or website www.cp-hope.org

to find out exactly what they need, and to sign up to receive email updates.

While Watson admitted that it’s not likely the expansion of facilities or services will happen this year, she was quick to follow up with a disclaimer of sorts:

“Because we are are faith-based organization, we are a ministry – we don’t ever want to say never because we are not the ones in charge. If we believe in a Master who does miracles, then if He’s in the miracle-making business, who’s to say? Miracles happen all the time.”

 

 

220 Seafood Fundraiser to Benefit Henderson Men’s Shelter, Hope House

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Jane King, volunteer coordinator for Community Partners of Hope, Inc. was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the organization’s biggest fundraiser event of the year – a fish fry to be held at 220 Seafood on Monday, April 29, 2019, from 4 until 7 p.m.

The meal includes trout, fries, coleslaw and hushpuppies for $7 per plate. Plates are available for drive-thru style pick up or guests are welcome to eat inside. Additional tickets will be available at the door.

“Several years ago, we broke the record for 220 fundraisers and had over 1,400 dinners served in one night,” King said. “We hope to increase that number this year!”

King is pleased to announce that the organization has a “good number” of volunteers committed to assisting with the fish fry, including a local school group.

“The National Honor Society at Crossroads Christian School has volunteered for several years now. They also help serve meals at the Men’s Shelter. We expect 17 young people to help with this year’s fundraiser.”

Proceeds from the fish fry help fund Community Partners of Hope’s two main projects – the Henderson Men’s Shelter and the Hope House.

In discussing the outcome of the recent winter season at the shelter, King said the organization was pleased with its overall numbers.

“We served 50 men through the winter season, with an average stay of 10 nights. Two moved into Hope House; others were able to find housing or help with housing by being connected to Social Services, Veteran Affairs, Disability Services, etc.”

Currently located in the basement of First Presbyterian Church, King said the long-term goal for the Henderson Men’s Shelter is to find a permanent, independent location.

When asked what it would take to make that happen, King responded honestly, “We need a lot of money. If we find a permanent location, we are going to have to put money into upgrading it to what we need or build a building. There will be ongoing utilities and salaries. Also, I’m afraid we’re coming close to needing a new roof on Hope House; those don’t come cheap.”

Hope House is considered “a step up” in that it allows men from the Henderson Shelter, or other shelters, a place to stay along with an assigned mentor for a small fee. “Most men are working when they move in but may not yet be fully employed. Living in Hope House allows them to save money while working and assists them in finding permanent housing,” King said.

King reported that 40 men have resided in Hope House in the four years that it has been in operation.

Looking even further into the future, King said that she would like to see family shelters in the area. “There are currently men’s shelters and women’s shelters but not somewhere for a family to go.”

To help Community Partners of Hope meet their financial needs, and to feed yourself and your family on Monday evening, please consider supporting the organization’s 220 Seafood fundraiser. 220 Seafood is located at 1812 N. Garnett St. in Henderson.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Jane King in its entirety, click here.