Published: March 21, 2008 06:37 pm         

Hope Outreach aims to offer hope to the needy

At Hope Outreach, staff members don’t just give hand outs — they give a hand up.

The faith-based organization operates from three venues: Thrift Store, Parenting Ministry and Community Care and Homeless Ministry.

Hope Outreach’s mission is “to minister the love of Jesus to the felt needs of our community for the purpose of empowering people toward responsible living.”

According to Leland Streck, director of community care and homeless ministry, that doesn’t mean just throwing money at people.

“We help financially,” Streck said. “But people work for it.”

For example, if a person comes in and needs a toaster, Streck said they can select a toaster from Hope Outreach’s thrift store. But then they work the appropriate amount of time to afford it.

It’s about making relationships with people, and letting them know they’re trusted, Streck said.

The Faith Farm is a venue to demonstrate the belief Hope Outreach staffers have in their patrons. Streck said the organic vegetable and flower garden allows visitors the chance to be involved with planting and selling the produce.

The three goals Streck has for Day Center visitors are connect, redirect and move forward. To that end, the Day Center offers a variety of services for homeless individuals: laundry facilities and showers, kitchen facilities, telephone access and mail drop, answering service, job and housing searches, prescription vouchers, photo IDs and birth certificates.

“If we can help them, we’ll try to find a way to do it,” Streck said.

Sandie Hamilton, community care coordinator, described a recent situation when she picked up an individual from the store and gave her a ride home.

“We try to do the little things,” Hamilton said.

Above all, what day center staff aims to do is “lead people to Jesus Christ,” Streck said.

“I don’t force religion on people,” Streck said. “But if they open the door, I’ll go through it.”

Hope Outreach’s parenting ministry has a similar focus. The outreach program is pro-life, “from conception to death,” according to Ann Price, director.

But the majority of the parenting ministry’s clientele have decided to become parents, and that’s the main purpose of the ministry.

“Even if they have the baby, that doesn’t mean their lives are going to be easy,” Price said. “They need to know the skills they need to take care of their child.”

The ministry features the “Earn While You Learn” mentoring program, which teaches young people what is needed to become the best parents they can be for their new family. Through classes, expectant mothers earn “Mommy Dollars,” which they can use to purchase items for their baby.

Volunteer mentors teach expectant parents what to anticipate during pregnancy, labor, delivery and child care. Parenting and life skills lessons offered include “Prenatal Care,” “Bonding with Your Baby,” “Nutrition” and “Money Management.”

“Parenting is the hardest job,” Price said. “We want new parents to learn how to be responsible, loving parents.”

Both ministries are supported by Hope Outreach Thrift Store revenue.

“We appreciate when people shop at and donate to the Thrift Store,” Streck said. “Hope Outreach is all connected.”

Donations can be picked up free by the Hope Truck, by calling 237-4673, or donations can be dropped off at the north door of Hope Outreach, 215 S. Van Buren.

For more information about Hope Outreach and the various services it provides, go to www.hopeoutreach.org.