Offering Second Hope

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WILMINGTON — Hope House has expanded its services to those seeking their next step in life.

The women’s drop-in shelter in Wilmington expanded its ministry from serving overnight guests in emergency situations to also providing interim housing for women transitioning from shelter living to an apartment or home of their own.

Located above the drop-in shelter on East Locust Street, the board of Hope House has named the upstairs interim apartment “Second Hope.”

The first tenant moved in on August 18.

Katie Terrell, Hope House’s director, told the News Journal this was an idea by their board of directors.

“We previously had traditional renters in the apartment, but the board felt that Hope House was in a period of active growth and, at the end of 2021, began exploring how the apartment could be used in line with our mission to serve women and children in Clinton County,” said Terrell.

“We knew that our guests were struggling to find affordable housing and that there were more people applying for HUD vouchers than there were vouchers available,” she said. “So we set up a meeting with the Clinton County Homeless Shelter to discuss the idea of moving Hope House or Homeless Shelter guests into the apartment on a short-term basis while they looked for more permanent housing.”

The staff at the Homeless Shelter readily agreed to partner with them on finding individuals they felt were ready to take this step toward independence.

“Our first tenant had been a guest at Hope House before moving to the Homeless Shelter, where she was residing when we began searching for tenants for Second Hope,” said Terrell. “She had secured a job and a vehicle but had not been able to find housing. We are excited to provide her housing during this interim period while she looks for a place of her own.”

Working with the Clinton County Homeless Shelter and their Rapid Rehousing Program, the board of Hope House has signed leases with its first two tenants, both of whom are previous guests of Hope House. The Rapid Rehousing Program provides deposit and rental assistance, as well as case management, for individuals who qualify for the program.

“The Hope House Vision is to provide a ‘network of community care’ for women and children, and working with the Homeless Shelter on this project has been one of the exciting ways that this is happening in our community,” said Terrell. “Finding affordable housing in and around Wilmington has been a challenge for our guests. So many agencies are pulling together to help – Community Action, Metropolitan Housing, Sugartree Ministries, Talbert House, and the Clinton County Homeless Shelter. Together we are providing hope and housing for women in need.”

According to Terrell, Second Hope is a two-bedroom apartment available on a month-to-month lease. It has been completely renovated and furnished with the help of individuals, churches, organizations, and Hope House board members. Terrell described them as essential parts of their “network of community care”.

Area churches and organizations — including Ada Chapel, Dover Friends Meeting, Faith Family, Modern Woodmen, Springfield Friends Meeting, Wilmington Church of Christ, and Wilmington Friends Meeting — contributed everything from air conditioners to cleaning supplies and gift cards to welcome the first tenants.

Located at 495 E. Locust St., Wilmington, Hope House will continue to serve overnight guests seven nights a week.

If you are in need of shelter or would like to volunteer, contact Terrell at 937-366-1123 or [email protected].

Learn about Hope

To learn more about Wilmington Hope House and Second Hope apartment, the pubic is invited to attend the Murphy Theatre on Wednesday, October 19 for “A Night of Hope” — “a heartfelt program featuring music and stories of hope.”

A silent auction will open at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for $15 at the door, at the box office, or online at: https://themurphytheatre.org.

For more information, visit https://hopehousewilmington.org and visit their Facebook page @WilmingtonHopeHouse.

Keys for the new Second Hope building.
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/09/web1_Keys.jpgKeys for the new Second Hope building. Photos provided by Hope House

The Second Hope living room.
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/09/web1_SecondHope1.jpgThe Second Hope living room. Photos provided by Hope House
Hope House expands ministry, services

By John Hamilton

[email protected]

Reach John Hamilton at 937-382-2574

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