Support Services

Hope Ministries provides a variety of support services for the homeless in central Iowa.   We are on a continuous mission to establish collaboration and partnerships with area health care professionals, social service providers, corporations and special service businesses.  Below is a list of some of our support services.

VETERAN CARE: Veteran’s Administration Hospital of Des Moines

Hope Ministries has an excellent working relationship with the Veterans Administration that makes their services available to our shelter veteran guests through a weekly on-site VA help desk

DENTAL CARE

A long-time supporter (and retired dentist) stepped forward with an offer to create a dental screening service for Hope Ministries. Dr. Keith Colwell recruited the assistance of a team of local dentists who rotate providing dental screenings at our on-site dental clinic at Bethel Mission.   Dental work is provided to residents at the Door of Faith at a no or low cost by this group of dentists at their offices while we provide the transportation.   Keith and his team of volunteer dentists help our residents hang on to their teeth, even when prolonged drug use may have caused severe damage.  Some residents actually get new smiles with dental partials provided by Keith’s group!  We thank God for Dr. Colwell and our dental care team for our homeless guests.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

As often has his schedule allows, Dr. Tom Schiltz helps alleviate back and neck pain, sciatica and other spinal heath issues by providing free on-site chiropractic care to our residents at Door of Faith recovery center.   Once again, we thank God for this incredible act of kindness!

MEDICAL CARE

A FREE weekly health clinic at Bethel Mission is available to the low-income and homeless public and our residents, thanks to our partnership and collaboration of the professionals at Primary Health Care.

Recently a student at Drake University interned at our Bethel Mission facility and then wrote an article about his experience. This is the kind of collaboration and partnership that benefits our ministry and contributes to our comprehensive continuum of care. Read more about this student's experience by clicking here.

PSYCHIATRIC AND MEDICAL CARE

Our residents receive free on-site professional mental health counseling from the compassionate staff of Broadlawns Medical Center.  Homeless and low-income clients also receive a full range of mental heath and traditional hospital services at their facility.  In addition, Broadlawns’ staff has been incredibly cooperative over the years providing support for intoxicated and drug influenced emergency situations.

FREE CLOTHES CLOSET

Many more in the community are becoming aware of our FREE clothes closet at Bethel Mission.  It means a lot to donors to know that their (in-kind) gifts are being used directly for those who need it the most and who have limited or no resources.   Homeless men at the Bethel Mission and the Door of Faith recovery center have access to our clothes closet at no cost.

In addition, we provide vouchers to our shelter residents at Hope Family Center as well as referrals from other agencies to our Hope Thrift Center for clothing at not cost.  See the HOW YOU CAN HELP section of our website for making clothing donations.

EYE CARE

Dr. Steve & Mary Kay Gould provide free on-site eye exams, free eye medication, and referrals for surgery to residents of Hope Ministries.  Also, partnerships with local companies such as Wal-Mart have provided free eye exams, Lens Crafters, who has provided free or low cost glasses and East Des Moines Lions has helped with the funding for our shelters guests.

Click here to read a larger version of this article.

OVERCOMERS OUTREACH

Overcomers Outreach is a program offered free to the alumni of our STAR program and anyone in the community to provide ongoing support and encouragement.   Men meet weekly at the Door of Faith and often bring their friends and others who might benefit and who may possibly need our services.

Completing the continuum of care is an accomplishment in itself, but the need for follow up and support is critical in the recovery and healing process.  

JOB SEARCH AND REFERRALS

We are fortunate to have a number of local employers who have extended a hand of friendship to many of our shelter residents and STAR graduates over the years.   Their patience and cooperation have enabled us to expand employment opportunities to our program participants and many have gone on to become valuable employees of these companies.

MENTORING

Our mentoring program matches volunteers with our shelter guests to provide encouragement and support and to model a Christian lifestyle.  Click CONTACT US if you feel called to be a mentor.