GENESIS

Homes of Hope had its beginning at a Mission Retreat in January of 2004 at First Presbyterian Church in Albemarle. Discussions of transitional housing needs led to the formation of a committee and the mailing of a survey to social service agencies, service and health organizations, the school system and city officials to see if a need existed in Stanly County. Nearly all surveys were returned with over half the respondents indicating a need and a desire to help.

After several organizational meetings, Homes of Hope was founded in April of 2005. The churches represented agreed to provide living space for temporarily homeless indivduals while teaming with the agencies and working with the families to develop a plan for permanent housing. The churches also agreed to provide a mentor to offer encouragement and support to program participants.

The first family moved in on June 4th, 2005. The original plan was to have one family the first year and develop the program as the year progressed. However, several compelling cases of homelessness were brought to the attention of the board of directors and in less than nine months, six families were invited into the program. Due to the overwhelming need, Skeet Ayscue was hired as the part-time Executive Director in September, 2005.

Homes of Hope is a non-profit corporation which is a partnership of Stanly County churches, social services agencies, health, and human services organizations providing transitional housing and services for temporarily homeless families and individuals. Homes of Hope is a grassroots effort to get first time homeless people back on their feet and self-sufficient in order to prevent a slide into chronic homelessness.

Homes of Hope Transitional Housing Program provides a house, donated furniture and living essentials to a homeless family or individual and works to develop a plan that will lead to independence within a six month period. The program provides case management by assesses participant’s needs and links participants with other agencies to coordinate a comprehensive strategy to foster self-reliance.

Homes of Hope coordinates volunteers as mentors who work with client families to foster confidence, self-esteem and to promote independence. Mentors meet this goal by establishing a positive, friendly relationship with the client families and by staying in contact at least once a week.

The Stanly County community has generously supported the efforts of Homes of Hope since its beginning in April of 2005. Homes of Hope depends on local volunteers and donations, as well as receiving grants from various foundations and charities.

In September of 2009, Homes of Hope opened the Community Inn, an overnight emergency facility for Stanly County homeless, in partnership with Stanly Community Christian Ministry (SCCM) and the Stanly Baptist Association. The Community Inn opens at 6 PM each evening and provides an evening meal, showers, a bed, and a light breakfast before closing at 7 AM. Stanly County churches, civic groups, and individual volunteers provide the meals each evening.

The Community Inn also provides case management to assess each individual’s situation and connect them with the resources necessary to help establish independence. This may be with a job search or a place to live, disability claim or drug rehab program, mental/physical health issues or additional education needs. Permanent housing is the ultimate goal for every person that comes into the program.

In June of 2011, Homes of Hope opened Esther House, a domestic violence and sexual assault program for Stanly County. Esther house provides a 24-hour hot line, court advocacy, a shelter, and counseling services. In March of 2013, Homes of Hope spun Esther House into its own non-profit organization that now operates independently.