Urgent Problem
From its humble beginnings of serving five families in 1997, H.O.P.E. now supports a growing number of families-in-need, with the demand constantly increasing, stretching resources to the limit. Due to the recession, the number of low-income families supported by H.O.P.E. has doubled, from approximately 150 families per month in 2007 to currently serving 300 families each month.
H.O.P.E. is based in Garden Grove but continues to serve all Orange County residents. According to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau, 13.9% of Garden Grove’s population, including 14,635 children, live under the poverty line. Based on the impact of the current economic times, it is safe to say that this percentage has risen in the recent years. All together 16% of Orange Counties children live in poverty.
According to the O.C. Register (Nov 2009) “More than 12 percent of school-age children in Orange County are living in poverty – the highest level since 2005 – with 3.5 times that number receiving free or subsidized meals daily, according to federal poverty data released this month”
From 1/1/09 – 4/30/09, demand continued to increase on a steady basis, and H.O.P.E. provided food approximately 300 families per month. For the first four (4) months of this year, H.O.P.E. has only been able to supply 2 families with emergency rent or mortgage assistance, turning away approximately 10-20 requests each month, due to lack of funding.
H.O.P.E. qualifies each request by obtaining information about each family with the Intake Forms, and evaluates their needs. H.O.P.E. then distributes financial support based on available resources and critical priorities. For the past six (6) months, H.O.P.E. has had to turn away approximately 10-20 families each month who request rent/mortgage assistance, due to lack of funds. Instead, utility payments have been subsidized for current clients in order to keep homes functional and safe.
Timely Solution
H.O.P.E. was founded in 1997 by Gayle Knight when she was motivated to turn the look of despair into hope on the faces of disadvantaged children in the Buena Clinton neighborhood of Garden Grove. She founded a Family Support Center on the corner of Historic Main Street and Acacia Parkway, and has worked diligently over the years, giving hope to at-risk women and their children. The mission of H.O.P.E. is to provide a myriad of services to abandoned or abused women and children from disadvantaged families.
In 2007, H.O.P.E. provided safety-net services to 150 extremely low-income/unemployed families each month. Due to the current economic crisis, H.O.P.E. now helps approximately 300 Orange County families monthly, seeking food and basic necessities to cope with the recession.
H.O.P.E. tries to go beyond the immediate physical needs and helps to uncover and address underlying issues in order to achieve lasting stability. By dealing with each and every client personally, and using a unique approach to each situation, H.O.P.E. helps each client to find ways to break old patterns and cycles. H.O.P.E. offers lasting opportunities for families to become whole again for “a hope and a future.” H.O.P.E. is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, with members from various community and corporate backgrounds; Gayle Knight is a volunteer CEO and Founder, and continues her 14-year passion to help others.
Volunteers are vital to the daily operations of H.O.P.E. and make such a tremendous difference in the numerous activities that they participate in, including: Helping out in our office (greeting clients and ensuring that they feel welcome, data input, answering phones and taking messages), sorting donations and stocking shelves, helping pack the bags for distribution, and distributing goods to clients.
Program Description
H.O.P.E. provides several support services to extremely low-income families, with the goal of helping them improve their short-term situation, and develop skills to achieve long-term benefits. H.O.P.E.’s target population is abused or abandoned women and their children. Programs offered to the community include:
Family Support Center – provides a safety net for basic needs such as: food, clothing, emergency rental assistance as funds permit, hygiene products and baby essentials. H.O.P.E. also provides resources and referrals to other agencies as needed as the unemployed seek assistance.
M&m Youth Mentor Program – offers a fun and educational program on Saturdays for children ages 7-17. Community role models and speakers volunteer to teach on subjects such as substance abuse prevention, crime prevention and character counts, and to build confidence in a positive environment.
· The Arts for Kids – encourages self-esteem and expression through dance, scrap booking and art and music appreciation.
· The Sounds of H.O.P.E. – music program for youths, ages 7-17, to develop computer skills and to learn rhythms and sounds through digital music
· Homework Club – an after-school tutorial program conducted by community volunteers and high school youth.
· Community service hours for youth volunteers
· Scholarship Program – available for selected high school graduates who recognize education as a path to rise above their circumstances. Awardees return to mentor others on a regular basis.
Career Readiness Workshops – classes designed to teach women how to improve their circumstances and overcome everyday challenges through career-skill development and personal growth
H.O.P.E. provides a food distribution program operating on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Products include non-perishable goods, and food vouchers or gift certificates for perishable products. Food bank products are obtained from several sources, including Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, food drives from local schools and churches, and community donations.
H.O.P.E. also supplies emergency financial support for utilities and rent or mortgage in order to help keep residents safely in their homes. Many clients are referred from partner agencies; many prospective clients make a phone call to inquire about their eligibility.
Collaborative Partners
H.O.P.E. works together with over 50 other agencies, filling the gap in services to meet the needs of Orange County’s underserved or distressed families. H.O.P.E. receives clients from Orange County 211, Boys and Girls Club of Garden Grove, Lincoln Educational Center for Teen Moms, the Colony of the Arts, and Magnolia Park Focus Partners, to name a few. In addition, many of the local schools refer student’s parents to H.O.P.E. so that their children can stay healthy and in school. In return, H.O.P.E. is supported by the City of Garden Grove, who supplies warehouse space for program supplies. Also, Arbor Educational and Training Centers (CalWORKS) sends clients to H.O.P.E. to meet their volunteer commitments and on-site job training, and they, in turn, provide the resources for the food bank warehouse and distribution manpower, as well as administrative support.
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