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 Hope's Bright Promise
Currently, 17 mothers and children representing five families make their temporary home at Hope Family Center. Through our H.E.A.R.T. Recovery Program, mothers attend life-skills and Bible classes, and become more stable parents.
Ashley, 16, and her 14-year-old brother, Brady, came with their mother and little sister to Hope Family Center, February 15, 2005. Both agree it’s been “home” in many ways. Here, the two and Elizabeth Spragg, Hope Family Center director, talk with Stories of Hope.
Ashley: It was really quiet here when we first came. My first thought was, Oh good we have a place to stay!
Brady: Our mom has always been a good mom, but we were kind of worried about her. This place has let her take care of us and herself. I think Mom is having a good time here because we’ve made friends and she has, too.
Ashley: Elizabeth is kind of a second mom. She’s a role model we look up to.
Elizabeth: Well, I don’t have kids of my own and this is God’s next best thing. It’s important that we build relationships with the families. It’s more about relationships than rules here. The rules at Hope Family Center are for security and safety — to help add structure to families’ lives.
Ashley: I’m glad we’ve stayed here. We’ve seen a few families leave because they don’t want to conform to the program or they aren’t flexible. It’s been good for me to learn about other cultures and it’s definitely taught me patience.
Brady: Staying longer makes us more stable. We’ve learned a lot here. It gives Mom time to find us a place to stay and get a job. And I’ve gotten better at making friends and getting the skills to know other people.
Ashley: Now we are going to a larger, upbeat church and that’s been a growing experience. It’s made me stronger. People need to know homelessness is not all about living under bridges. Average families like ours have crises. The people who give to Hope Ministries have given us an opportunity to change our lives and get back to living more stable lives.
Elizabeth: Ashley and Brady are really a good sister and brother to other kids here. They spend time with them and provide good role models. Our donors need to know we are saving lives — like Ashley’s and Brady’s — with their help.
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