FROM THE CEO

It is hard to believe that the Holiday Season is upon us! So much has happened at HopeTree since the calendar turned to 2022; this year has flown by. Like everyone else, we continue to struggle with COVID and with the staffing crisis. But as exhausting as those issues are, I continue to be lifted by our team members who are at HopeTree. Our team is amazing! They live our core value of “ministry” by going above and beyond the call of duty often. They provide quality care and services, even when our residents or other staff members come down with COVID. It truly is a blessing to work with alongside them every day.

Even though this past year has been challenging, it’s been extremely gratifying! God has truly blessed HopeTree in so many areas. We started two new services this past year - Sponsored Residential and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). Sponsored Residential will serve adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy will serve the youth in our current programs plus youth and adults from the community. We also opened Titmus Cottage in a unique partnership with Roanoke County and Roanoke City DSS that will provide a comfortable setting for youth in foster care who cannot find an appropriate placement.

I’m also grateful for our supporters and donors who invest in our ministry with their financial contributions, their donations of goods and materials, along with those who invest their time in volunteering for HopeTree. We don’t take your trust likely in what we are doing and how we are doing it!

If you are considering a year-end gift to HopeTree, I can assure you it’s going to be put to good use. We are planning on starting two new programs over the next several months. Family Centered Treatment will serve youth and families in danger of coming into foster care or some other level of congregate care and will also serve those families who’s children are already in care, but the goal is to reunify the family. Outpatient therapy will provide outpatient counseling options in a variety of settings for those we currently serve as well as members of the community. We expect our Equine program to continue to grow and our existing programs of Foster Care, Developmental Disabilities Ministries, Therapeutic Group Home and HopeTree Academy continue to provide quality services.

Thank you for your love, care and concern for HopeTree and those we serve. Continue to keep us in your prayers as we continue to fulfill our mission every day! May you have a wonderful Holiday Season and a very Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,

Jon Morris President & Chief Executive Officer