EXECUTIVEBOARD OFDIRECTORS
Hello Friends of Project Hope!
Sept. 17-18, 2024
There are so many good things happening at Project Hope! We are excited that just days ago, we moved in two new families. That brings our current census to 77 women and kiddos. That number brings a smile to my face and yet, it wouldn’t be possible without you.
Sadly, we are receiving more calls for housing and assistance than ever before, and their stories are heartbreaking. We continue to have around 50 single mothers on our waiting list and the needs become more and more desperate as the months go by.
As most of you likely know, affordable housing in our community is difficult to find - and if you are transitioning out of a homeless program, it is even more difficult. So many of our ladies have prior evictions that prohibit them from renting conventional units in the area This is why our team works tirelessly to help them build their credit, pay off debt, and create a “nest egg” for the future.
We are seeing amazing testimonies of success in terms of hope and healing. Our onsite/weekly counseling services are helping these families unpack the heart wrenching trauma they have experienced and because our counseling is faith-based, many are discovering hope in CHRIST for the first in their lives Talk about success!
We have eight remaining units at Hope Villas that are currently being rented to community residents at a discounted rate – with plans to convert those into our program units as soon as funds become available. It costs approximately $27k on an annual basis to maintain one unit at Hope Villas. We literally have families waiting to move in and begin the process of hope and healing.
Give HOPE to a Family At Risk of
Homelessness
How can you help?
I am glad you asked! GIVE4MARION begins at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17 and the platform is open until 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18. Project Hope has a big goal this year of raising $200k. We would LOVE to be able to meet meeting this fundraising goal! (Early donations are allowed but are excluded from any matching moments.)
Here are ways to early…
Add an additional $100 (or more) to your existing monthly commitment
Make a one -time donation (of your best gift) specifically for “GIVE4MARION”
Join our “Hope Angels” monthly giving friends and commit to blessing us on a monthly basis
Sponsor one unit at Hope Villas for $27k per year
However you choose to give, whether online or by check, please indicate “GIVE4MARION” in the memo area
If giving isn’t possible for you right now, we kindly urge you to keep us in your prayers as we continue shepherding homeless women with children to self-sufficiency.
AND if you are near our property anytime – stop on in to say hello! We Love seeing all of you and may just have a special “cool” treat for you!!
Blessings and Peace, Sept. 17-18,
· Serving Marion County residents
· Program Capacity has tripled since 2019
· Faith-based, supportive, loving environment
· Offering a “hand up” towards self sufficiency
· Currently housing 77 homeless mothers and children
April McDonaldExecutive Director
Did Ya Know?
Did Ya Know?
Peace of Mind
On any given night, there are at least 26 women and 47 children living at Project Hope in their own fully furnished two bedroom, two bathroom unit.
Safe Shelter
These single women and children have transitioned from the streets, emergency shelters, or other unsafe living conditions. Sadly, the majority are survivors of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. Many are also survivors of domestic violence.
Wise Counsel
In a twelve month period, approximately 580 hours of clinical intervention takes place.
Fresh Perspective
In 20 business days at Project Hope, at least 38 individual case management sessions and 4 weekly life skills sessions are conducted
Transformation
Since 2019, 110 FAMILIES have experienced a season of residence at Project Hope, from 6 months to 2 years
Commitment
Project Hope has a small staff of 1 part time and 4 full time employees
Only by the grace and favor of God can a program to this magnitude operate with such a small team!
Impact
We are SO thankful for the IMPACT you are helping to make by supporting us.
Gratitude of A Program Participant
My Path to An Amazing Life
An fun wreath she prepared for her apartment door
Project Hope, has been a blessing for me and my children I am proudly in my second year of recovery and having the feeling of a safe home to come to is an amazing feeling. When I first got here I was still very vulnerable and not sure about my faith, but in the time I have been here, I have learned more about myself than I have my whole life. They (Project Hope staff) have been so supportive and, when in a world where you feel like your treated like a criminal, they welcome you with open arms.
I will never forget the bliss of opening the door when I moved in... A home to call my own and everything taken care of, a bed to sleep in and not having the stress of trying to get the simple essentials of what a home needs, to solely focusing on my children and having a safe comfortable place to tuck them in at night. Being able to connect with other moms in similar circumstances, for our children to be able to have a safe place to play and rest is the thing I love the most Having a community to not feel out of place, this is an unspoken, amazing feeling.
I am so grateful to have been apart of this amazing program. From our counseling that been provided onsite, to our life skills classes, I have grown and am still growing every day to love myself and to grow more everyday with my faith and family is so important to me and supported by our amazing staff. I am forever grateful to such an amazing place as Project Hope and the loving, caring staff and director.
Thank you so much for guiding with me on my new journey of faith and sobriety on my newly paved path of an amazing life with my family. We are forever grateful!
Participant facts
of September 12, 2024
113
Families have called Project Hope home since 2018
77 Mothers and their children have safe shelter at Project Hope tonight
Months 13-18 Months 19-24 Months Participants’ Current Length in Program 7 5 2 3 7 2
Months
Months
Months
HEART Sharing fromthe
Mom On the Move
Mosteverymom,notjustmomsintheprogramat ProjectHope,hasabusydailyroutine.Momgets up beforetheirkids,packtheirlunches,getthekidsand herselfdressedfortheday,takesthekidstotoschoolor daycare,andthensheshecanheadofftowork
Yet,forthemomwhodoesnothaveherownvehicle, therearemanymorestepsaddedtothatmorning routine Doesshecatchthebus?Doesthebusheadthe directionofherchild’sdaycareandthentoherjob? Doesitgethertotheseplacesontime?Thereisalwaysa cost...time,energyandfees.
Alocalfamilylearnedthatthereareseveralladiesat ProjectHopewhoarestrugglingwiththeirdaily commitmentsdue tolackoftransportation.Asthey werereadytoretiretheirfamilyvan,theydecidedto shareitwithoneoftheseladies,andaftersomedue diligence,theylearnedthatonewomanhadbeensaving towardavehicleandhadenoughonhandtotake responsibilitytocoverthefeesforvehicleregistration andinsurance.So,onerainyafternoon,thiscouplecame topresentthekeystoamini-vantothiswelldeserving momwhowaspayingalmost$80perdayinUberfees whiletryingtosavetowardapurchase.Sheandher familyarenowfreetomoveaboutthecitythankstothe generousheartofacaringfamily.
As the keys are passed on, these amazing donors want to thank God for the many ways He has blessed them. They also t t h l th t discover the joy of d by God.
Helpful Options
If you have a dependable car to donate, we do have other families in need of transportation
1 Car maintenance is always an added expense to a tight budget Volunteer to provide oil changes or gift cards for maintenance are great ideas!
3.
2 Uber and Lyft gift cards would serve as a simple solution to help struggling moms to keep up with the daily demands of a working, single mother.
Caring and
ING
Alicea Gordon of Girl Scout Troop #43811 shared 27 boxes of Girl Scout cookies with the families of Project Hope!
Plumbing, Inc.
For their Giving Day project, the three sons of Miller and Sons, worked together to prepare individual baggies filled with school snacks, they shared school supplies and basic household goods for the families.
I prayed over all of those items, that it would warm their hearts and give them peace and a safe place to call home... Lord, bless this family. Let this be a stepping stone in the right direction to a better life for them all!
Anonymous Donor
H I G H L I G T I N G
O U R T E A M
Charlene Robinson Case Management Supervisor
Charlene joined the staff in 2019 as a Program Case Manager, but after a traumatic health event she had to resign to focus on regaining her strength. Yet, God had a plans to use her trauma for the good of others. After a brief season, she recovered and was eagerly welcomed back to the staff at Project Hope. Due to her excellent work ethics and her motivation to mentor and guide the ladies in the program, she has been named Program Case Management Supervisor. We know that her example and influence on our current and future case managers will prove to be valuable to them as they also invest in the hope and healing of the families in this program.
Carolina, who prefers to be called “Nina,” joined the staff in July. She and her family are fairly new residents of Ocala. She is a native of Colombia and moved to Utah after immigrating to America. She has extensive experience with Child Services and serving as an advocate. As a mother with adult and school-age children, she is eager to be a mentor to the mothers in our program. She is joyful and kind and a welcomed addition to the staff.
Amanda Aceto Program Assistant
Gomez Program Case Manager
Amanda joined the staff in June. She will assist donors who deliver to the office and manage donation inventory. Amanda would like to pursue a career in social services, so she will also assist our Case Management staff by performing monthly home inspections and submitting reviews to the case managers. Amanda has previously worked for Amazon and is very organized and eager to find ways to help to impact the success of the families in this program.
Carolina