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Journey of Hope
(Continuum of Care)
Hope Ministries was one of the first Christ-centered homeless ministry’s in Iowa to offer Journey of Hope, a continuum of care program. Our one-of-a-kind treatment program focuses on progress toward healing and independence. It requires a commitment to change as well as personal responsibility and accountability.
• Stabilization Dorm (non-medical detox)
• Shelter Program
• STEP (Structured Transitional Evaluation Period) Program
• STAR (Spiritual Training And Recovery) Program
• Men’s Residence Program
• Hope Transitional Housing
• Overcomers Outreach Alumni Support Group
Stabilization Dorm (non-medical detox)
For some of our homeless male guests, the stabilization dorm is the first step in the continuum of care. Intoxicated or drug influenced guests (for safety and out of respect for our other shelter guests) sleep in a separate facility we call our Stabilization Dorm located at Bethel Mission. These guests are provided food, clothing and special care and attention while they stabilize in a safe and comfortable environment until they are capable of rational thinking and next step intake interview with an on-site chaplain/case manager.
Shelter Program
Bethel Rescue Mission has been serving homeless men in Des Moines since 1915. Our current facility on 6th avenue serves as our intake shelter for homeless men. On average we serve 150 homeless men each month. Men come to us off the street or through referrals from drug and alcohol treatment programs, local social service agencies, hospitals, as well as the county jail, parole officers and prison wardens. Men must agree to our basic rules of conduct which includes curfew, good behavior, evening chapel attendance, personal grooming and the absence of weapons, pornography, drugs and alcohol.
Every guest is assigned to one of our on-site Chaplains/case managers who develops an individualized care plan that includes a needs assessment and agreed upon goals. Each guest is provided access to our FREE clothes closet, bedding and personal care items, a modern shower facility, three warm meals a day, and individualized case management.
Unique to Bethel Mission is our day room which allows our guests a comfortable indoor facility to stay during the day while they seek meaningful employment or (for STEP students) to carry out their responsibilities and assignments.
STEP (Structured Transitional Evaluation Period)
Guests at Bethel Mission are invited to stay at no cost during the first week and for the balance of their first 30 days if they sit through a Friday morning orientation session lead by our STEP Chaplain. That session outlines our continuum of care program and resources we have to help them piece together their broken life. We invite them to take the first step to recovery and healing with the goal of once again becoming a productive member of society.
STEP is offered to those who are ready to make a personal commitment to the program. Those who apply and are accepted are relocated to the STEP dorm at Bethel Mission, which provides more privacy for sleeping, a separate shower and bathroom facility and private study room, computer lab and access to additional resources and privileges.
STEP students continue to stay at no cost because they are making a commitment to improving their condition. STEP is a 2-4 week evaluation period to test the resolve of the participants. Each student has a personalized care plan that involves various roles and responsibilities, reading assignments including basic Bible study, introduction to computer, onsite work detail including maintenance, laundry and food service assistance.
STEP participants are held to a high standard and are tested daily for alcohol usage and randomly tested for drug usage. Participants understand upfront the zero tolerance expectation as well as the consequences and violators are dismissed from the program. The STEP program can be repeated after a grace period and supplemental counseling. During the STEP period, participants are taken on a tour of the new Door of Faith men’s recovery center, the next step in the continuum of care.
STAR (Spiritual Training And Recovery) Program
Graduation is the culmination of nearly a year of Christian counseling, over a dozen life-skills, spiritual development and personal healthcare classes, mentoring, Bible study, community service and more. Our Journey of Hope Continuum of Care program focuses on addressing the issues of homelessness, stopping the cycle of destructive behavior, job placement and becoming a productive member of society.
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Dan Wentzel STAR Recovery Graduate
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Men who successfully complete the STEP program at Bethel Mission are transitioned to the new Door of Faith men’s recovery center located on SW 9th street as the next step in their continuum of care. The center provides a fresh new start and an environment conducive to change of attitude and outlook. STAR is one of two tracks available to Door of Faith guests.
STAR participants are men who continue to take steps to improving their condition, therefore they continue to stay at no cost. In addition to FREE shelter and three warm meals a day, STAR men attend a daily classroom routine and have work detail assignments throughout the Ministry including intake desk, maintenance, food service, laundry duties, and helping sort donations at Hope Bargain Center.
STAR participants are expected to focus on class attendance and study therefore the possibility of employment is limited. As the STAR student progresses in the program, job placement becomes incorporated in their care plan.
STAR participants are required to attend at least 3 morning devotions or evening chapels during the week. They are required to visit five churches in the first three months and become a member and regular attendee of a local church.
STAR participants are held to a high standard and are tested daily for alcohol usage and randomly tested for drug usage. Participants understand upfront the zero tolerance expectation as well as the consequences and violators are dismissed from the program. The STEP and STAR program can be repeated after a grace period and supplemental counseling.
 Men who complete the STAR program are honored with a graduation ceremony. Graduates must have completed and successfully all requirements. The classes include (but are not limited to) the following:
Recovery Classes
• The Christian twelve step program
• Healthy Boundaries
• Alcohol Anonymous
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Gambling Anonymous
• Overcomers Outreach
Spiritual Classes
• Foundations of the Faith
• Experiencing God
• Thriving in the Midst of Chaos
• Purpose Driven Life
• Study in the Book of John
• Fundamentals of Faith
• Purpose Driven Life
• Christian 12 Step
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Nursing students from Grand View College teach a series of health and wellness classes to recovery residents at our Door of Faith learning center through a special partnership arrangement with Hope Ministries.
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Life Skill Classes
• Dating and Relationships
• Solving Life’s Problems
• Money Management
• Computer and Office Skills
• Resume Writing
• Job Interviewing
• Anger Management
• Reading Skills
• Every Man’s Battle
• Recovery
• Boundaries
• PREP (Relationships)
• WAGES
Door of Faith STAR Program Volunteer Opportunities
The following volunteer opportunities are available in our STAR recovery program. If you feel called to pursue one of these opportunities, we invite you to complete our on-line application and our volunteer coordinator will be in touch with you.
• Health Educator
• Learning Center Tutor
• Wellness and Exercise Coach
• Mentors for men in our STAR recovery program
• Class Instructor
S.T.A.R. Graduations
STAR Graduations are held four times a year. They are attended by the graduates and their invited family and friends, staff, Hope Ministries’ volunteers, Door of Faith residents and other invitees. RSVP is required. The event is held in the Faith Café at the Door of Faith and begins at 5:30 p.m. with a meal followed by an inspiring program.
The dates for upcoming STAR graduations are listed on our UPCOMING EVENTS page on this website.
STAR Graduation Volunteer Opportunities
The following volunteer opportunities are available for our STAR graduation events. If you feel called to pursue one of these opportunities, we invite you to complete our on-line application (LINK) and our volunteer coordinator will be in touch with you.
• Meal Servers for the STAR Graduation Banquet
STAR Graduation Photos
We invite you to join us in continuing to pray for our graduates and specifically by name when listed. Thank you!
Men’s Residence
Men who successfully complete the STEP program at Bethel Mission are transitioned to the new Door of Faith men’s recovery center located on SW 9th street as the next step in their continuum of care. The center provides a fresh new start and an environment conducive to change of attitude and outlook.
Men’s Residence is one of two tracks available to our Door of Faith guests. This track provides the option for men to take advantage of the classes and resources offered in a less structured setting and allow a man to seek and secure full or part-time work while they carry through with their individualized care plan. Participants in the Men’s Residence program are required to be enrolled in at least one class at all times.
Men who are employed provide a nominal daily bed fee depending on the duration of their stay. The fee is never more than $10 per day. This includes three hot meals a day, a bed, library, chapel, counseling, individualized case management, assess to classes and the computer lab as well as other resources offered through Hope Ministries.
Hope Transitional Housing
Graduates of the STAR program are invited to a supportive community at our Hope Transitional Housing. Residents include men who have come through the entire continuum of care and have arrived at the final step before returning as a productive member of society.
Most residents are employed but need a period of transition to prepare them for responsible living and money management.
Overcomers Outreach Alumni Support GroupResidents continue to be case-managed but live independently and pay a reduced rental fee up to a year’s stay. Each man is responsible for his own cooking and maintenance of their house and grounds.
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. Overcomers Outreach is a program offered free to our alumni 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.
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