Here comes a once-in-fifty-years cold front!! Temperatures are expected to drop down to 12 degrees this coming week. HOPE Missions’ Warming Center needs to be open for extended periods of time during this dangerously cold weather. We can only do this with your support! Please take a look at the graphic and select a block of time that works for you. For meals, we need to be able to feed […]
15
Dec
HOPE Missions Update: Serving Others We’ve been incredibly busy these past several months! This newsletter is our attempt to provide a brief update to stay connected. Contents Aaron Riley is our Homeless Services Director We’ve been blessed to have Aaron Riley join our team as the Homeless Services Director. You’ll see Aaron most mornings at the Mission as he oversees daily operations. Aaron moved to Anderson with thoughts of pastoring […]
20
Nov
Just in case you don’t know it HOPE Missions is open 6 days a week and overnight when it’s cold all by the Grace of God and a whole lot of Volunteer Servants!! Simply put, we would not be able to operate without our amazing volunteers!! Zoë and I were in early this morning to open the Warming Center. As we checked people in, I looked at the long list […]
We’re doing everything we can to serve our guests well. Opening as a Warming Center when temperatures get cold, our volunteer resources are stretched to the max. But we know it’s the right thing to do. If we truly love our neighbors, those without heat, those living on the streets, and those otherwise considered “disposable” need a warm place on cold nights. It’s difficult for us, but imagine what it’s […]
Our work at HOPE Missions is far from unique in the world. We are following the footsteps of many who have gone before us. From “page one” of the Bible, we know that all are created in the image of God. It is God’s desire that everyone would come to know the saving grace offered through Jesus; everyone would be adopted into His family. Mother Teresa and Father Gregory Boyle […]
3
Nov
We’re teaming up with several helping agencies to build 300 backpacks for those in the community we get to serve. Using our check-in system, we’ll ensure that individuals will receive one backpack each across several distribution points (LOT Project, Mercy Center, HOPE Missions, and others as requested). Our goal is to make VERY nice gifts for those we serve while being good stewards of all we’ve been given. The TEAM […]
We’ve made some changes to our Wishlist process. Instead of one long list that seems intimidating for our friends, we now have two lists: Immediate Top Needs These are items that we need to purchase for our operations now. Many of our friends want to buy things for us, so the shortlist includes underwear, coffee, and bowls for grits!! The cost of items listed here ranges from about $8 for […]
22
Oct
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “why don’t they just get a job?” It’s that simple, right? The quote, of course, is a visceral response to seeing someone in deep poverty and perhaps experiencing homelessness. Putting people in a box and labeling them “homeless,” “bum,” or “deadbeat” is the opposite of what we are called to do as Christ-followers. The main problem with “why don’t they…” is […]
3
Oct
Believe it or not, winter is coming soon!! HOPE Missions serves as the Warming Center for Anderson County when temperatures are below 38 degrees. As a “Warming Center,” we offer a warm place for people to sleep when the outside temperatures could cause physical harm. We have quite a number of people that either sleep outside (unsheltered) or live with no heat in their homes. Our goal is to fill […]
We are fundraising to serve men and women experiencing homelessness, a circumstance that automatically pushes them to the margins of society. Many of our guests also suffer from past trauma, mental illness, and/or addiction. We are seeking donations to fund a project called The HOPE Missions Healthy Healing Project. It will enable those we serve to engage in new patterns of self-care and expression through the arts and physical fitness. […]