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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Here’s our July 2022 calendar. We’ll update this as events are added, especially breakfast providers!! Contact Dave, Kim, Julie, or Evan if you want to provide breakfast or support a special event. Key Events: Art Room, 10-11 am, Wednesdays. This weekly event allows our friends to express their creativity using an abundance of art supplies generously donated by our community. It’s quickly becoming one of our most popular times of […]
The inaugural HOPE Missions Community Trash Clean-Up was a success! We had six total volunteers walk the streets of Anderson picking up trash, sporting our brand new HOPE Mission safety vests! After two hours of hard work, we decided to stop by the local pizza joint (Electric City Pizza) to grab a bite to eat and fellowship together. We plan to meet every two weeks and aim to impact our […]
HOPE Missions continues to provide a Warming Center for Anderson County in coordination with Anderson County Emergency Management. We are excited to lean into this opportunity to serve our community! Thanks to all of those who have volunteered their time, donations of food, meals, and finances to make this happen! So many have reached out to support us in many ways, we can’t thank you enough! Warming Center Operations We […]
We’re open during this winter storm to provide a safe and warm place to stay. Coffee is on and we have plenty of snacks. Many thanks to Anderson County for the opportunity to operate in this space all the time, especially this weekend.
This is a coffee pot. But if you’ve been to HOPE Missions of the Upstate, you know that it isn’t just a coffee pot. It’s warmth after a long night on the streets or in substandard housing. It’s a symbol of hospitality, a place to gather. I’ve had several “God moments” in the time I’ve been involved with the mission, but this morning I had the most touching conversation with […]
One of many community projects from Anderson University’s Communications department includes a video documentary named, “Homelessness in Anderson.” Over the course of several weeks, students from COM 451 collected footage, interviewed people, walked the streets and listened intently to those who helped tell the story of homelessness in our city. Thanks to the crew who put this together: Jeremy Thompson (editor and camera operator), Simon Loftus (Director), Asa Waters (Producer), […]