SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
Restoring Confidence with Home Start Hope Supporting Women in their Journey to Independence
BY TRISH PINO
Restoring Confidence with Home Start Hope After learning about the Bethany House, an community in which women can thrive and has provided women with a fulfilling shopping experience where they can select essential emergency shelter that provides transitional get back on their feet. household items free of charge. housing and support in Rochester, Kristin Mathis pitched an inspirational idea that would Families end up homeless for several reasons launch a decade-long mission to empower and despite minimal declines in the poverty rate This experience takes place in a beautifully women. Upon meeting with a Bethany House over the last few years, Rochester remains 3rd renovated 1930s home just outside of volunteer, she discovered that the women on the list of the 10 poorest U.S. metropolitan Irondequoit near Empire Boulevard and who leave there often don’t have the Culver Road. After storing the items herself for 7 years, Mathis wanted necessary items they need to move into their own homes. Her discovery led her “Women leave us so excited, empowered, and with a place where women could go to host a housewarming party to provide a renewed sense of hope. We know that if moms do shopping for what they needed. “We used to receive a list of items from the essential household supplies which resulted in collecting more items than better, kids do better & our community is stronger.” women, and it just felt so impersonal. We didn’t know what they were like or they could store! She immediately knew what patterns and colors they would she was onto something and in August 2010 she officially started Home Start Hope, areas which creates a significant issue for prefer, so we wanted to give them a chance to an organization that supports women and many in the community. And unfortunately, it select things that fit their needs and style.” children in their transition from homelessness doesn’t stop with homelessness. Once families to independent living. The organization are able to find suitable and safe housing, they The shop is open by appointment only and provides access to new, essential household often don’t have the basic supplies they need provides items that are similar to what many items in a personal shopping experience that to start over. This is where Home Start Hope women receive at a bridal shower. It is stocked restores hope and self-confidence, building a steps in. For the past 12 years, the organization with essentials such as towels, bedding, pots 50 THEHOMEPUBLICATIONS.COM | Rochester
