Nonprofit Spotlight: Hope Children's Home

Hope Children's Home is a nonprofit at 11415 Hope International Drive that sits on 55-acres of land. The Home was established in 1968, and offers housing and schooling for about 65 children who have been abused or faced difficult life situations.

Patch recently spoke to outreach coordinator Jason Roberts about the Home and how the community can get involved.

Patch: What is Hope Children's Home?  

Roberts: Hope Children's Home is a residence for 65 children and young people between the ages of 3 and graduation from high school. While we believe it is impossible to replace a traditional home, we provide the next best thing. Hope emphasizes keeping siblings together whereas in the foster care system they are often split up. We are not a foster home, and we do not take any state or federal money. We are not a burden on the tax payers. We rely on free will donations from those that care about children.

Patch: When was it founded and by who?

Roberts: Hope Children's Home was founded in 1968 by Dr. Ron Schaffer and Lindy McGowan when it was discovered that there were many abandoned, neglected, and abused children and young people needing a home. From the beginning, the emphasis was on keeping siblings together, relying on the gracious giving of a caring community, and teaching reliance on Jesus Christ.

Patch: How do children get referred to, or end up at Hope?

Roberts: Children are referred to Hope Children's Home in several ways. People find out about us from our website, and many pastors and counselors recommend us. When the person in custody of a child calls, we go through an interviewing process. We want to be sure we can help the child.   On occasion, an older child has actually called or asked their legal guardian or parent to call.  Most of our children have been subjected to at least one divorce, drug and or alcohol abuse in the home, and many have seen abuses either mental, physical and other kinds.

Patch: Why is Hope important for the surrounding community?  

Roberts: Hope is important to the surrounding community because we take children that are headed for trouble, and provide a loving caring environment for them to grow and become a useful part of the community. For many, if we were not there, they would no doubt end up in prison.

Patch: How can people get involved if they want to volunteer or donate to Hope?  

Roberts: The first way and very important is financially. Funds may be sent to Hope Children's Home to the attention of Jason Roberts. Right now, we need $5,000 for school administration software. We need money to build cottages so siblings can be under the same roof. We need daily items. Some businesses, if asked, will set us up as a donor from their employees pay withdrawal. This is always a plus for us.  The second thing would be to go online and see our present needs and help meet those.  We could also use gift cards. We like to take the children shopping to places like Wal-Mart, Target, Publix and McDonalds.

If you're interested in donating items or volunteering at the Home, go to their website or call 813-961-1214.