In my tradition, this time at the end of the year is called Advent. It’s a season when we anticipate the moment when God will move into our neighborhood. In my home, we light candles in our Advent wreath for hope, peace, joy, and love. I like to think that the Divine continually comes to Earth through all of us when we choose to embody these ideals. For the Hope Partnership team, this embodiment means working toward the day when everyone has a safe place to call home.
It means seeing the potential in empty church buildings to create new spaces that serve our neighbors. It means dreaming about how a tired motel can be transformed into a safe place where weary people find sacred rest. It means empowering the people we serve to wish and dream and then supporting them on their journeys. And it means working with like-minded partners to reshape our community into one where everyone’s needs are met.
Wherever you find yourself during this holiday season, may you find ways to help bring hope, peace, joy, and love into your corner of the world.
Thank you to everyone who has donated to families this holiday season! What a year 2022 has been! From opening our newest location, Hope Commons in April, to hosting our first annual Hope Gala, it’s certainly been busy.
We are incredibly grateful for all the support you have given over the past year. Without your support, nothing we do would be possible. If you haven’t yet, we ask you to please consider giving to families in need this holiday season.
You might have heard about our bi-monthly event known as Client Care Day. It’s growing quickly, and we need volunteers to help out. We need help staffing our shower trailer, I-dignity Osceola, and a few other things. If you are interested, please reach out to Volunteer@ thehopepartnership. com for more information.
We have recently reached the milestone of over 100,000 heartbeats served, and it’s because of you! Everyday, we walk beside our clients as they navigate the complexities of becoming stably housed. This path is never easy, and it is often fraught with unexpected complications and barriers along the way. Your support makes it possible for us to meet those challenges with them head on.
Thank you so much for walking alongside us as we work to make sure EVERYONE Has a Safe Place to Call Home!
Rev. Mary Downey is the President/CEO of Hope Partnership, which works side-by-side with local partners to end homelessness in Osceola County.
