So, today’s blog will be about one of the great passions in my life (beyond my family)—Hope House. I will warn you—I have the BEST job in the world and I am passionate about it!
What is Hope House?
I am frequently asked “what is Hope House?” and that is not an easy answer. The quick answer is that we are a faith based social service agency that meets the Basic Needs of theneedy in Whatcom County. Hope House is a collaboration of Church of the Assumption and Catholic Community Services, and I am employed by CCS as the Program Manager. I am also a parishioner of Assumption, so I am uniquely qualified to combine the Catholic Faith of both entities and put them to use at Hope House.
What are basic needs?
This invites the follow-up question of “what are basic needs”? Simply put, basic needs are those items that human beings need to live a civilized life in this world. Food, hygiene items, clean clothing and diapers for the babies. However, there is nothing simple about what else we offer; the more intangible sharing of warmth, compassion and caring. Or the opportunity to feel valued and recognized as a fellow member of the Body of Christ. Many of our clients feel like family to me after 16 years. I have watched their babies grow, cheered when they moved into decent housing or obtained the longed-for job or acceptance into college. A sign on our wall says it all:
“I have found that people will forget what you said to them, will forget what you did for them,
but will never forget how you made them feel.”
The Need to be Valued
That sums up our goal each day at Hope House—to make our clients feel valued, feel cherished and leave Hope House a little happier than when they came in. Basic needs can cover a lot of area! Being a faith based program means we put a great deal of trust and faith in the Lord to help us in our daily endeavors. Each morning before we open we gather for prayer. We pray for guidance in our dealings with not only our clients but with each other and with those who bring items to donate. Everyone who comes in the doors of Hope House has a need of some kind. Some are just more obvious than others.
God Shots
We offer up our prayers for our shelves to be filled, particularly when we are out of an item, and He never fails to hear us! I have a phrase for His assistance at these times: God Shots. In so many instances, we have been out of something that is being requested urgently (diapers or food, for instance). Within minutes, someone will come in the back door with a donation of exactly that item. It happens so frequently!One day I was standing before a small bookshelf where we keep the children’s books, and I commented that we needed some more books. We give them out to the children every time they visit. The volunteer standing next to me stepped carefully about 3 feet away from me. When I asked her what she was doing, she said “any day now, He is just going to throw them down to you!”
His Guidance
We often turn to Him for assistance and guidance on policies and He has never let us down. Sometimes He is quite vocal about areas we need to improve—often I get messages during the Sunday homily at Mass. Three years ago, He and I had quite a conversation about our Christmas program and He not only won—He wowed me big time! I’ll blog that amazing story some other day. Another sign on our wall says:
“I am of the belief that if you are doing God’s work, it is His job to take care of you.”
I have to say He most certainly does! Do you have any questions for me about Hope House? How about in your life–how does God speak to you? Let’s talk!