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Shelter from Life’s Storms
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“The pandemic has made the community more aware of what transition feels like. We have all had our lives deeply impacted by closed businesses, scarcity of items, lack of resources and frustration and loss. These are the very things our families experienced every day, pre-pandemic,” says Debbie O’Handley, executive director of Hope
Hope House Foundation of Huntersville
BY: » Karel Bond Lucander PHOTOGRAPHY BY: » Lisa Crates
Top left: A sign that hangs in Hope House in Huntersville. Right: Hope House partners with other community organizations to offer women educational and job resources. Bottom: Hope House Executive Director Debbie O'Handley.
House.
In 2004, when Dr. Lee Beth Lindquist founded Hope House in Huntersville, there was no place in the area for women to live when they were suddenly faced with a broken financial safety net. The dream to help them was realized in 2010 with a renovated building that could accommodate up to 12 people.
Since then, 288 women suffering from homelessness have found temporary shelter here. Most have lost their jobs, lost their financial partners or developed health issues. Hope House offers them a six-month respite, where they can regroup to pull themselves up and continue on.
“Our guests come to us in complete despair and hopelessness,” she says. “We come alongside of them and say, ‘I’m here for you to loan you my hope until you find yours again.’”
It only takes one person
After O’Handley moved to the area, she began volunteering at Hope House. With a background as a social worker helping women and children in crisis, she believes this is the perfect place for her to be of service. “All it takes is for one person to be the hope for another. I get the privilege of seeing that happen every day at the Hope House,” she says.
O’Handley gets up to 100 calls a month from women seeking help. They must apply, pass a background check and be willing to make life changes—in exchange for wrap-around services that support and lift the whole family. “Our guests work hard to overcome difficult circumstances. They are mentored through many community organizations,” she says. Moving the needle
Hope House partners with the Ada Jenkins Center and Johnson C. Smith University to offer these women educational and job resources, help them develop skills for employment and equip them with knowledge to manage money effectively. Many have also received help with life skills, such as parenting, and can take part in Bible study, art classes and exercise programs. “It’s really a team collaboration that moves the needle from hopelessness to hope filled,” she says. “Every woman who leaves Hope House leaves here employed and in stable housing. We do this with a 100-percent success rate!”
And as the need continues to grow, more hope is being built. Adjacent to Hope House, three additional cottages will soon be ready to help renew other families. “At a time when we all feel particularly divided, we can join together to provide hope and inspire each other,” she says.
Hope House Foundation For information, visit hopehousefoundation.org.
How You Can Help
To volunteer at Hope House, complete an application on their website or contact Jessie Perkins at jperkins@ hopehousefoundation.org. Their wish list is on their website or contact Jen Grenier at jgrenier@ hopehousefundation.org. “We call our clothing donations ‘Hope Couture,’ and the ladies can shop for clothes, bags and jewelry as if they were in a boutique!” says Debbie O’Handley.
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