EXECUTIVEBOARD
Hope for Their Future
It took years, but with wisdom and discernment, the founders and leaders of Project Hope prayerfully pursued an endeavor that would help to sustain the financial stability of our mission to continue to assist families in the future... God answered those prayers with The Hope Chest Thrift Store!
Project Hope’s Board of Directors and Staff begin to plan for the future of the program
Friends of Project Hope financially invested in the future of this program.
A thrift store was considered as a positive source to help sustain the future of Project Hope.
John Alvarez Founding member of Project Hope
The Hope Chest is now open Tuesday-Saturday 9AM-3PM
After a lengthy search, the perfect storefront property was obtained!
Hope Laird, Store Manager
Years ago, local business owner, John Alvarez, noticed people wondering into the woods behind his business. Being curious, he followed a worn footpath to discover a mother and her children living in a car This discovery motivated him to seek a solution With the help of other community leaders, that solution became known as Project Hope.
Today, Mr Alvarez is known as the “Founding Father of Project Hope,” but he prefers to describe himself as “just an ole boy named John who saw a problem and said, ‘let’s do something about it!’”
He realized that “nobody wakes up and decides to be homeless.” There are a variety of circumstances that lead to that place, but if we work together, then we can provide a helping hand for someone trying to get back on her feet.
Alvarez attests that at Project Hope (himself included), “there is not a hero in our bunch,” yet the services provided might be perceived as an act of heroism. “Our goal is to encourage. We want to reach people by loving them and telling them the Good News ”
With words of wisdom, he acknowledges that “people don’t choose to be homeless or orphaned, but we can provide a helping hand up ” God is blessing Project Hope and we are growing The Hope Chest Thrift Store was developed to help sustain our mission so that, for years to come, we can continue to provide transitional housing and services to mothers and their children who have been at risk of homelessness.
“We don’t need to leave them homeless.” If we cooperate together, we can make a big difference in our community.
Cutting Ceremony
arch 25, 2025
Hosted in part by
Photo provided by OcalaCEP
The Hope Chest Thrift Store is a ministry of Project Hope. Proceeds from items donated and sold go toward our mission to provide transitional housing and support to single mothers and their children!
Tuesday-Saturday 9:00am-3:00pm
Donations accepted on Wednesdays
Participant facts as of June 1, 2025
13
132
Families have called Project Hope home since 2018
Her Certified
New families have found renewed hope and housing at Project Hope between January & May!
134
Professional therapy sessions were provided for moms and kids during the first 5 months of 2025
28
New mattresses have been purchased for new residents since January
49
Minor-age children of 26 moms currently live at Project Hope
One of our Project Hope participants received her Nursing Assistant Certification. She worked hard to complete her studies and pursue a new job in the nursing field!
Celebrating Completion of the School Year!
Children at Project Hope will move on after completing the following grade levels: 8 6 4 4 1
Pre-K & Kindergarten
Grades 1-3
Grades 4-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-11
Grade 12!
5
We Couldn't Exist Without You
Sponsors and Donors
Sporting ClayShootout
February 28, 2025
THEIR MARK
DiamondEventSponsor
Perfect Deed Homes
Team Sponsors
Akin’s Foxfire Realty
Ausley Construction
Bedrock Resources
Benmar Construction
Black Sheep on Broadway
Boyd Welding
Brother’s Keeper
Call of the Wild Sports Club
Central Florida Transport
Cornerstone Inspections
Gulf Atlantic Bank
We are humbled and grateful for the support of each company and organization who chose to help the mothers and children in this program by participating in our annual Clay Shoot Fundraising event. Thanks to each participant who joined us for a day of fun and for investing in the success our mission! 2 0 2 5 S P O N S O R S
Southern Heritage Developers
Spruce Creek Restaurant
Enterprise
Trademark Metals Recycling
Trinity Surfaces
Hallgren Contractors
MainStreet Community Bank
MidFlorida Credit Union
Ocala Kitchen and Bath
Ocala Police Department
One Stop Flooring
One Community Foundation
Redline Custom Trailers
Richmond Hill Capital Partners
Rigby Wealth Management
Zinnia Wealth Management
Guest Participants
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Ocala Fire Rescue
Purvis Gray
Sponsorship
Mike & Melissa Bianculli
Ellison Property Management
Hanson Electric
Kirkpatrick Charitable Fund
Tim & Bonnie Kray
Scott & Holly Lanker
Fran Marino
Meadowbrook Church
R L R Investments
Donors
JB Guns
Fish Hawk Spirits
Scott Schuck
Ingrid Wasserfall
Spruce Creek Restaurant
Bedrock Resources 2
Black Sheep on Broadway
Best Team Shooting Scores Meigan Sardinia Black Sheep on Broadway
Creek Restaurant Raffle Winner!
Individual Shooters
Winter Impact
We want to shine a bright lig unity. Local businesses and organizatio ed for our families duri
The Medical Executiv Committee of Adven Health provided gift baskets filled with personal care items a a gift card for each mother. Dr. Francisco Schwartz-Fernandes his family personally prepared the basket delivered them to Project Hope. His family continued to support us when his daughter a his wife volunteered to help to set up The Ho Chest Thrift Store before it officially opened Advent Health employees from various locations shared a Day of Service at Project Hope. They created Welcome Baskets for new residents, wrote notes of encouragement, and decorated our Christmas tree to kick off the season of giving.
Meadowbrook Church chose to share their endof-year giving with the homeless and hurting by distributing the proceeds between multiple, local non-profit agencies. Project Hope was a selected recipient of their compassionate and much needed support. We are grateful for each church which has chosen to partner with us as we answer God’s call to serve others.
yees of Lennar of drew names from office tree ing the holiday s of every mother hild of Project Their kindness he stress out of mas for moms ade the dreams dren come true!
Woman’s Club of Ocala hosted their fourth annual Shopping for Mommy event They provided a variety of gift items and each child filled a gift bag and wrote a note and then took their selections home so they would have a gift to hare on Christmas day
Los Del Barrio Motorcycle Club make their annual visit a memorable one for the children More than 60 motorcycle riders roar onto the property and Santa calls each child by name as gifts and treats are shared with the children
These are just a few of the holiday highlights, but our Project Hope families are always filled with joy and delight by the creative ways our community cares for them. We are blessed beyond measure.
O U R T E A M
April McDonald Chief Executive Officer
Hope Laird ThriftStoreManager
April McDonald is not only the face of Project Hope, but she also the heart! As she marked her 6 staff anniversary in April, our Board of Directors voted to promote her to Chief Executive Officer, recognizing and rewarding her for years of stellar leadership, community relations, and program growth. th During her six years, she has helped this program to grow and she has helped to expand our recognition and reputation the community. She is a caring and intentional leader who shows compassion to anyone who is hurting in any way. Her character qualities were even recognized by the City of Ocala as Mayor Ben Marciano bestowed the Citizen of the Month Award to her in February. An honor well deserved!
Hope joined our staff in January. She has years of retail experience and is a former local business owner. She is a local ambassador, as well as a gifted artist and we feel that God sent her our way at the perfect time. We encourage you to visit The Hope Chest Thrift Store and say hello to Hope!
Kelda joined the staff in February as Program Case Manager. She has years of experience as a Case Manager and has worked in the Child Welfare system throughout the state. During her first months on staff, she has proven to be a valuable asset to the success of our program’s participants.
Karen serves as our Donation Assistant at Project Hope and at the Hope Chest Thrift Store. She is a valuable member of the team as she greets donor, accepts donations and helps to keep items organized until they are ready to be used for their designated purpose. Karen will be happy to greet you on donation day at either location.
