Winter 2013

Inside:

Winter Issue 2013

Grill-Off Success

HSF Director’s Message

Build Housing

A Christmas Celebration

ForeHOPE

TasteHOPE

Circle of HOPE

December 1st, 2012

TasteHOPE 2013!

Friday, October 18th, 2013

E X E C U T I V E

D I R E C T O R ’ S

M E S S A G E

Edwin Copeland, Vice President of Community Engagement Steve Werthman, Vice President of Operations Misael Martinez, Vice President of Programs and Services

There are times in all of our lives when we look out towards the horizon and wonder what the future will hold. We ask

of hop e d o G e “Ma y th al l the h t i w u fil l you e a s yo c a e p d hat you jo y a n t o s , Hi m t r u st i n th hope i w w o l rf m a y o ve of the r e w o p by the i r i t. ” Ho l y S p IV ) (R

3-H S 1 5 :1 OMAN

ourselves, “What will the journey before us have in store, will we be up to the challenge, and are we following God in our endeavors?” In times such as these, we have to have faith in He who provides; in He who is our HOPE. As an organization, we have this sense that we are in one of those times. The sense that all that has come before has been to prepare us for what God has called us to become. We stand upon the shores, looking to the horizon, and want to step out in faith. We stand amazed at what God has done, and a little nervous about what God has in store.

There are so many stories of God’s abundant grace this year and we are amazed at the partnerships that have formed. Over the last year, the HOPE network of churches has provided more housing, more meals, and more examples of loving community than we ever dreamed possible. However, we know there is still a great need and believe that the groundwork has been laid to grow our shared vision of HOPE, Housing and Community in the New Year.

To prepare for this great leap of faith, we have worked to lay the foundation within our organization. As the community has invested in us, we have invested in a developing a core team, a team that is ready to tackle the challenges that lay before us.

I am honored to work with Eddie, Misael, and Steve, I have never served with three people that I trust and respect more. It gives me hope as we look forward to what this year will bring. As we all gaze upon the vision and mission before us, we are filled with joy and peace as we trust in God.

Grace and Peace, Robin Martin, M. Div.

Executive Director

God’s Little Lambs were darling in their annual Christmas pageant and also gave a very special encore performance for our TasteHOPE Shared Meal guests. The children were dressed for the nativity, including a star, a host of angels, traveling kings and manger animals. Santa’s helpers also showed up in the form of adorable reindeer and energetic elves. Christmas carols never sound so lovely as when they’re sung

by God’s Little Lambs! The joy of Christmas continued with special events hosted for the families of The Shepherd’s Way. Special thank you to Les Diplomats, Miss Elly, BikeStreet USA and Christ Church United Methodist for bringing HOPE to our families with gifts, new bikes and holiday meals. Thank you for making this Christmas very special for each family and child in our shelter!

I T

W A S

A

B U S Y

C H R I S T M A S

S E A S O N

F U L L

O F

H O P E ,

J O Y

A N D

M A N Y

B L E S S I N G S !

Christmas

at God’s Little Lambs and The Shepherd’s Way

B U I L D H O P E

: :

T A S T E H O P E

S H A R E D

M E A L S

&

H O M E L E S S

M E M O R I A L

Come eat, be comforted, find community, TasteHOPE. It’s the one thing we ALL have in common: our appetites.

We all have to eat, and at our table,

you are always welcome Working together with our church network and volunteers throughout the Christian community, HOPE South Florida was able to provide 25,000 shared meals for homeless individuals through our TasteHOPE meal program. As any one of our guests will tell you, it so much more than a meal. For those that serve and come to be served, it’s everything: community, comfort, and HOPE. But don’t take our word for it, come experience it for yourself as you consider the following words from one of our faithful volunteers…

My son (16) and I have been sharing meals at Hope Central every other Monday and Christmas Eve happened to fall on such an evening this year. You see, our family had made a financial commitment to HOPE South Florida, but we wished to tie that to hands-on involvement and community service. The team of saints we see working at Hope Central each night is remarkable, but the real impact came from two interactions we had on Christmas Eve with a man and a lady that God placed in our paths.

The first interaction was with a middle-aged man who could easily look like your uncle. He came up to the food

Th a n k y o u to e ve r y o n e w h o a tte n d ed a n d sto p p ed b y o u r te n t to s a y h e l l o !

siastic fans to the Pompano Beach Amphitheatre to enjoy food, wine, and celebrities.

perfect tailgating weather and this friendly competition drew over 2,500 hungry and enthu-

with local celebrity chefs to create unique and delicious new grilling recipes. The day was

In only its third year, it has grown to include 21 Miami Dolphin football legends teaming up

John Offerdahl’s Gridiron Grill-Off, “Where Celebrity, Competition & Charity Collide,” just keeps getting better and bigger!

line counter where we were serving and simply looked at me and said, “This is just temporary you know. Soon I’ll be back on my feet. Got to keep a positive attitude, Merry Christmas” and then moved on. A few minutes later a young woman in the food line came up to the counter and I quickly greeted her with a hearty, “Merry Christmas!” She simply looked up at me, smiled and said, “I’m homeless and pregnant. I don’t think this will be a very Merry Christmas” and she slowly walked away.

Later, on our way to our church for the Christmas Eve service, my son and I had a great discussion. The core insight from each of these interactions was that the typical stereotype we all may possess about the homeless was completely shattered; our perceptions are changing. And, while our discussion got deep and very personal during that blessed car ride, we finally concluded, “We wish we could do more.”

We are looking forward with great anticipation to seeing both persons again in future weeks at the TasteHOPE meal program and hope that we can continue to build upon those God-given Christmas Eve appointments.

B U I L D

H O U S I N G

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:

A

N E W

C R I S I S

H O U S I N G

U N I T

“It's our privilege to partner with HOPE South Florida in the work of helping homeless families. We're grateful for the opportunity to join that work by providing one of our housing units to serve as a crisis-housing unit for families seeking shelter through HOPE South Florida’s Faith-In-Action program. HOPE's staff and volunteers have done an excellent job of preparing the unit to meet its clients' needs.

They have proven responsive and responsible regarding our concerns, while aiming to bring HOPE to those in crisis.”

Trinity Lutheran Church As the number of homeless families seeking shelter in our community is ever increasing, so to are God’s people responding to build HOPE, Housing and Community – seeking to make a lasting difference. After hearing about the work of HOPE South Florida, Pastor Tom Hackett of Trinity Lutheran Church inspired his congregation to turn one of their church owned rental apartment units, into crisis housing for the families HOPE South Florida serves.

A few meetings later, and through the generosity and gracious hearts of our volunteers and his congregation, the unit was lightly renovated and made ready to provide HOPE for all those who would temporarily call it home. We couldn’t help but think of this new partnership as a wonderful Christmas present – not just for us but also for the over 150 homeless families seeking shelter

“Not only do I foresee our partnership with HOPE South Florida strengthening our ability to act as "hands and feet of Jesus" toward our neighbors, I expect we will grow to become more faithful Christ-followers through our association with HOPE South Florida and those they serve.

What a privilege.”

everyday in Broward County. In just the first three weeks this new unit has already been able to provide crisis housing for 3 mothers and 5 children! Thank you Pastor Tom and all of those at Trinity Lutheran Church for making our mission of providing hope to the hopeless and homes for the homeless a reality once again.

– Pastor Tom Hackett, Trinity Lutheran Church

In October, golfers of all skill levels were invited to attend the ForeHOPE 5th Annual Golf Tournament held at the immaculate Coral Ridge Country Club and hosted by 2007 Senior PGA Champion Denis Watson. It was a gorgeous day of teeing up ForeHOPE on behalf of the homeless families we serve!

Thank you to all of our players, sponsors, Committee Chair, Andy Mitchell and host, Denis Watson!

save the date 6th Annual Golf Tournament, Monday, May 20th 2013. For details and to register early Visit: www.hopesouthflorida.org/forehope

Circle of HOPE This year, HOPE South Florida had the priviledge to gather with our Circle of HOPE members in a quarterly series of after-work events at the Lauderdale Yacht Club. These times allowed our Board President, Matt Lomenick, and fellow Board Members, to share their vision for and experiences with HOPE South Florida and the families they serve.

Circle of HOPE members graciously gave $1,000 or more annually, their leadership giving and support throughout the year help make HOPE a reality for homeless families and children in our community.

P.O. Box 14156, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33302

Build Hope : : Build Housing : : Build Community

HOPE South Florida is a Christian-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, operating since 1995, with the mission to provide hope for the homeless and hurting through services and partnerships with the Christian community. Serving as the lead organization in a network of partner churches and organizations, we are working together to provide a holistic Christian response to homelessness in our community. Over the years we have provided emergency shelter, housing assistance, and support services to thousands of homeless families throughout Broward County.

For a list of our partner churches and church affiliates please contact: HOPE South Florida

Thanks to ALL supporters of HOPE South Florida. Through people like you, we were able to provide 221 mothers with 552 children with housing during their time of need in 2012! To learn more, please contact our office at 954.566.2311

HopeSouthFlorida.org

Office: 954.566.2311 Fax: 954.566.2302

help@hopesouthflorida.org