Hope is not lost, just moving: Wilmington Hope House relocates to East Locust

0

WILMINGTON — The Wilmington Hope House has relocated, and as a result, can now serve more women.

The new Hope House location, 495 E. Locust St., can provide night shelter for 10 women, whereas at the former location the occupancy was limited to five.

For those not familiar with Wilmington Hope House, it is a Christian, non-profit emergency drop-in house — a “stay safe” sleep space for women and children experiencing homelessness in Clinton County and surrounding areas, staffed by volunteers.

“We’re very excited to open the doors,” Director Tracy Scalf said Friday prior to the Friday night opening.

In addition to the doubling in potential occupancy, another benefit of the new place is its location, closer to compatible services offered at the Sugartree Ministry Center on East Main.

To get a good idea of the new spot, it is on East Locust Street next to the railroad tracks and across from Point Park, which is where Locust Street, Main Street, and Rombach Avenue meet.

Scalf said they are looking for more staff volunteers.

They also are wanting to expand some things, such as the hours so women don’t always have to exit at 7 a.m.

There are plans for an open house at the new location in the next month or so, Scalf said. The occasion will give locals a chance to see and learn about Wilmington Hope House, and also to meet Scalf who started as director last fall.

According to the website, “We do all of our intakes between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. We exit at 7 a.m. We welcome our guests into a clean and sober living environment. We offer clean showers, laundry facilities, and free wi-fi. Women (and children) are provided with clean pajamas, warm socks, an evening meal and light breakfast along with a warm bed, clean linens and a safe place to spend the night.”

Another good summary of the values of Hope House: “We do this by offering clean beds, listening ears, and Christian care, in a clean, safe, chaos-free, supportive, non-judgmental environment for women and children to find genuine, caring hospitality in their time of need. We believe a cup of hot coffee, and friendship offered in Christian hospitality by a committed community can be the beginning of a whole new life.”

Hope House’s original starting date was Oct. 15, 2014 by founder and former director Tammy Beery, with help from Jamie Quallen and Angela Nace. The Beery Family has moved out of the area, leading to the need for a new director.

If interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer, please call Tracy Scalf at 937-562-1377 or e-mail [email protected] .

Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.

Volunteer movers braved the wintry weather on a recent Saturday to transport furnishings from Wilmington Hope House’s former location to its new facility at 495 E. Locust St.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/02/web1_building.jpgVolunteer movers braved the wintry weather on a recent Saturday to transport furnishings from Wilmington Hope House’s former location to its new facility at 495 E. Locust St. Gary Huffenberger | News Journal

Among those volunteering to do heavy lifting and help move Wilmington Hope House to a new facility were volunteers from Wilmington College. College groups that were represented included the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha, the Men of Excellence organization, and the We Care (Victim Services) group.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/02/web1_doorway_9.jpgAmong those volunteering to do heavy lifting and help move Wilmington Hope House to a new facility were volunteers from Wilmington College. College groups that were represented included the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha, the Men of Excellence organization, and the We Care (Victim Services) group. Courtesy photos

Among those volunteering to do heavy lifting and help move Wilmington Hope House to a new facility were volunteers from Wilmington College. College groups that were represented included the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha, the Men of Excellence organization, and the We Care (Victim Services) group.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/02/web1_outdoors_couch.jpgAmong those volunteering to do heavy lifting and help move Wilmington Hope House to a new facility were volunteers from Wilmington College. College groups that were represented included the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha, the Men of Excellence organization, and the We Care (Victim Services) group. Courtesy photos
Hope House shelter relocates

By Gary Huffenberger

[email protected]

Hope House is a low-barrier drop-in shelter for women and children, meaning there are minimal rules that guests have to follow in order to sleep indoors: Don’t use drugs on the premises; don’t threaten or bully other guests or staff volunteers; don’t destroy property; etc. If interested in learning more about becoming a staff volunteer, please call Tracy Scalf at 937-562-1377 or e-mail [email protected] .

No posts to display