Homeless Outreach

In 2009, Hope Ministries made 1,200 contacts with men, women and children living on the streets of Des Moines and along the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. These are face-to-face contacts over and above the number of individuals and families we serve at our three facilities.

We made these contacts through our two homeless outreach programs: Hope on the Streets and SAM Teams. Our purpose in both of these programs is to build relationships with men, women and children living on the streets or along the river—so that they can know they are loved and valued, and so that when they become “sick and tired of being sick and tired,” they will know where they can find food, clothing, shelter and long-term recovery support. In 2010, we added a third homeless outreach opportunity by formalizing our short-term missions opportunity.

Hope on the Streets is a volunteer opportunity for individuals who come together as a team to minister to men, women and children who spend their days on the streets downtown, in the skywalks or in nearby low-rent housing. Through Hope on the Streets, our staff and volunteers act as a mobile outreach team, dispensing encouragement, referral assistance and information about Hope Ministries’ services and programs while reflecting the love of Christ. Click here to learn more.

SAM Teams go out on Saturdays or more often if needed for a “hands-on” outreach experience. This group volunteer opportunity spans six hours and includes a work project at our Hope Bargain Center, a meal at our Hope Café, a tour of our Bethel Mission facility and a visit to the homeless who live in tent camps. Click here to learn more.

G2:10 Mission Trip: Tailored specifically for youth groups, our short-term mission trip opportunity is based on Galatians 2:10—"All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor." Our short-term missions opportunity includes work projects at Hope Ministries facilities, two meals a day at our Hope Café and chapel at our men’s emergency shelter. Click here to learn more.