Happy New Year!!
Help HOPE start the year STRONG!!
HOPE is NOT Closing
Yesterday Grace Centers of Hope (not our shelter) was on the TV news because they precipitously closed their women's and children's shelter. There were three single women and three women with children who were displaced including a 3 week old infant
The Alliance for Housing, Lighthouse/South Oakland Shelter and Coomunity Housing Network coordinated efforts assisted by elected officials such as State Rep Brenda Carter, State Senator Rosemary Bayer, County Executive David Coulter, County Commission Chair David Woodward, County Treasurer Andy Meisner and Deputy County Executive Rudy Hobbs all offered support and monitored the situation throughout the day.
Everyone exiting Grace who needed shelter was accommodated thanks to this collaborative effort. The single adults went to HOPE (our shelter) and the families to Lighthouse/SOS.
We are still standing and ready to help anyone in need of safe shelter and resolution of their homelessness. Your investment in HOPE made that possible.
Thank you.
Elizabeth Kelly, CEO
The Alliance for Housing, Lighthouse/South Oakland Shelter and Coomunity Housing Network coordinated efforts assisted by elected officials such as State Rep Brenda Carter, State Senator Rosemary Bayer, County Executive David Coulter, County Commission Chair David Woodward, County Treasurer Andy Meisner and Deputy County Executive Rudy Hobbs all offered support and monitored the situation throughout the day.
Everyone exiting Grace who needed shelter was accommodated thanks to this collaborative effort. The single adults went to HOPE (our shelter) and the families to Lighthouse/SOS.
We are still standing and ready to help anyone in need of safe shelter and resolution of their homelessness. Your investment in HOPE made that possible.
Thank you.
Elizabeth Kelly, CEO
HOPE provides
safe and judgment-free shelter,
innovative programs and
public advocacy to end homelessness
safe and judgment-free shelter,
innovative programs and
public advocacy to end homelessness
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The Adult Shelter
249 Baldwin Avenue Pontiac, MI 48342 “Low-Barrier” Emergency Shelter (most barriers removed)
- Behavioral - Employment 
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Recuperative Care Center
1416 Joslyn Avenue Pontiac, MI 48340 Inpatient “discharge to home” option for individuals experiencing homelessness.
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HOPE is committed to
helping each guest resolve their homelessness and
identify a network of supportive services
delivered in a trauma-informed setting.
helping each guest resolve their homelessness and
identify a network of supportive services
delivered in a trauma-informed setting.
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HOPE, Inc. was founded in 1998 as a community response to a homeless person freezing to death in downtown Pontiac, Michigan. Since this time, the center has provided emergency shelter for individuals struggling with homelessness in northern Oakland County, turning no person away.
HOPE is committed to serving Pontiac's homeless population through two distinct yet complementary programs, Adult Shelter Program and our newest venture, Recuperative Care Center. In both of these programs our mission is the same- to help those in need of safe shelter and support services without judgment. |
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HOPE’s strengths-based culture is about meeting the guest where he/she is at, bringing as many resources to the shelter as possible to improve participation, with hospitality framing the guest experience. We remain solidly committed to guests viewing our organization as a way out of homelessness, rather than a place of last resort. The Oakland County Health Network provides onsite access screening for mental health services. Community Network Services and Easter Seals-Michigan, two core providers for community mental health provide onsite intakes as well as mental health case management. Community Housing Network, TTI PATH and SOS provide onsite housing counselors who connect HOPE guests with appropriate housing. The integration of healthcare, mental healthcare and housing for shelter guests helps them improve quality of life and a pathway out of homelessness.
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The majority of our support comes through volunteers, civic groups and churches, which we have a strong relationships with- in-kind donations account for the same percentage of income as all other funding sources. In 2015, about 1800 volunteers helped us to shelter 500 guests! Volunteers provide dinner, breakfast, and sack lunches for our guests as well as donated vitally needed shelter supplies (ie socks, underwear, cold weather clothing). HOPE could not exist with out the help of our volunteers and donors.
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Newest Report Card
Spring 2019 Report Card (04/01/19 to 06/30/19)
Measure Rates HOPE Average
Length of stay 31 days 25 days
Positive Destination 39.49% 18.01%
Recidivism Rate 3.48% 27.54%
Measure Rates HOPE Average
Length of stay 31 days 25 days
Positive Destination 39.49% 18.01%
Recidivism Rate 3.48% 27.54%
Winter 2019 Report Card (01/01/19 to 03/31/19)
Measure Rates HOPE Average
Length of stay 40 days 27 days
Positive Destination 32.35% 16.58%
Recidivism Rate 2.16% 30.29%
Using the 2018 statistic of 799 guests served at HOPE, the following stats can be used to illustrate the difference this report card real means:
Measure Rates HOPE Average
Length of stay 40 days 27 days
Positive Destination 32.35% 16.58%
Recidivism Rate 2.16% 30.29%
Using the 2018 statistic of 799 guests served at HOPE, the following stats can be used to illustrate the difference this report card real means:
- If the average shelter served 799 guests, 133 guests would have initially been moved into secure housing ("Positive Destination"). After 40 people returned to the streets ("Recidivism"), homelessness would have been resolved for 93 people.
- At HOPE, for the 799 guests served in 2018, 258 guests initially moved into secure housing ("Positive Destination"). After 6 people returned o the streets, homelessness was resolved for 252 people.
- Both places successfully moved guests into a positive destination, but HOPE moved many more... It's not a contest, but guests of HOPE really are the winners.
Fall 2018 Report Card
Measure Rates HOPE Average
Length of stay. 43 days 20 days
Positive Destination 44.7% 14.43%
Recidivism Rate 11.22% 34.35%
This means that HOPE engages our guests much longer than the average shelter.
The HOPE collaborative effort helps people into move into appropriate housing at a much higher rate.
HOPE guests stay in their housing rather than return to the streets (3 to 14-times more likely to stay housed).
HOPE is an effective shelter. We partner with more service providers to achieve powerful results. We help guest obtain all their needed documents and we bring service providers into the shelter for meetings – rather than hoping guests will find an office and the transportation to get there on time.
Be proud of the work you support. Share these stats with a friend. Have your friends join our mailing list. (Send email to info@HopeWarmingPontiac.org) Have your friends Like us on Facebook (HopeShelterPontiac).
Measure Rates HOPE Average
Length of stay. 43 days 20 days
Positive Destination 44.7% 14.43%
Recidivism Rate 11.22% 34.35%
This means that HOPE engages our guests much longer than the average shelter.
The HOPE collaborative effort helps people into move into appropriate housing at a much higher rate.
HOPE guests stay in their housing rather than return to the streets (3 to 14-times more likely to stay housed).
HOPE is an effective shelter. We partner with more service providers to achieve powerful results. We help guest obtain all their needed documents and we bring service providers into the shelter for meetings – rather than hoping guests will find an office and the transportation to get there on time.
Be proud of the work you support. Share these stats with a friend. Have your friends join our mailing list. (Send email to info@HopeWarmingPontiac.org) Have your friends Like us on Facebook (HopeShelterPontiac).
Adult Shelter
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HOPE emergency shelter hosts up to 62 guests each night providing basic needs:
HOPE assists with pathways out of homelessness by:
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Upon intake, every guest at HOPE is immediately screened to assess what resources might help move them from homelessness. In addition to the ongoing provision of basic needs, health care, and supportive service coordination.
HOPE invites outside agencies with programs related to housing, mental health, and other related issues to visit the center in order to conduct outreach to guests, further connecting them with community resources that address their specific issues and concerns.
HOPE invites outside agencies with programs related to housing, mental health, and other related issues to visit the center in order to conduct outreach to guests, further connecting them with community resources that address their specific issues and concerns.
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Low Barrier ModelHOPE is a low barrier shelter which means that we do not require sobriety, identity documentation or adherence to a program or religious affiliation to participate. Additionally, our low barrier model removes transportation and other barriers by inviting other providers to provide services onsite at HOPE. Those services include housing services, triage health clinic, community mental health services and more are available to HOPE guests.
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Safe PlaceHOPE strives to provide a safe space for our guests; we are solidly committed to guests viewing our organization as a way out of homelessness, rather than a place of last resort.
The emergency shelter hosts up to 62 guests in bunk beds each night (plus up to 10 additional in chairs) providing warmth, an evening meal, a shower, a safe place to sleep, and either a light breakfast or bag lunch. The center also provides its guests with hygiene kits, and dry socks and underwear. We also have some coats, boots, jeans and sweatshirts available for those needing these items. |
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Service Navigation
Service Navigator, Carolyn
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Upon intake, every guest at HOPE is immediately screened to assess what resources might help move them from homelessness. In addition to the ongoing provision of basic needs, health care, and supportive service coordination, HOPE invites outside agencies with programs related to housing, mental health, and other related issues to visit the center in order to conduct outreach to guests, further connecting them with community resources that address their specific issues and concerns.
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Groups at HOPE
- Alcoholic Anonymous (AA): A traditional recovery based group offered to guests & former guests at Adult Shelter on Mondays & Wednesdays. Recuperative Center guests can attend AA at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church (across the street from Recuperative)
- Women of HOPE: Offered to female guests & former guests at Adult Shelter on Tuesday mornings. This group helps to support the unique needs of women who find themselves homeless as well as how they can successfully transition out of homelessness. This group addresses healthy relationships, self-care and day-to-day issues women encounter.
- AfterShock: Offered to former male guests of HOPE at the Baldwin center on Thursday evenings. This group was formed out of a need to lessen the 'shock' of transitioning from homelessness to being securely housed. This group functions as an all male fellowship group that provides a support system of after care for men who have transitioned out of homelessness.
- Yoga: Yoga is offered weekly on Wednesday evenings to current guests as a way to promote self-care and healthy living.
Adult Shelter
Angela Curts, Shelter Manager
Carolyn Hurst, Service Navigator ph: 248-499-7345 fax: 248-499-7354 |
Since its founding, the organization has provided seasonal emergency shelter for individuals struggling with homelessness in northern Oakland County, turning no person away. Beginning at the Baldwin Center, HOPE operated during the coldest 3 months of the year and guests were given two blankets and a pillow and slept on the floor in the same room that they were served dinner. In 2010, the organization purchased a foreclosed building across the street. Bit by bit and with the help of many, many volunteers the space has been transformed. With over a half million dollars of volunteer labor and in-kind donations we have made many improvements to our space including adding handicapped bathroom and shower facilities, laundry facilities as well as an outdoor pavilion for our guests. In 2014, HOPE achieved our long standing goal of providing year round shelter to our guests.
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Recuperative Care Center
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In 2015, HOPE opened the Recuperative Care Center, a specialized shelter for patients who are homeless and discharged from area hospitals ‘to home’ but have no home where they can recover from illness, injury, surgery, etc. Through these two shelter programs, HOPE strives to create a community where all have the opportunity to move from homelessness to safe housing, gain access to resources, and develop the skills to enhance their quality of life.
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LaTonya Terry, Shelter Manager
David Nesbitt, Service Navigator ph: 248-499-6437 fax: 248-499-6828 |
Future Family Shelter
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HOPE has recently acquired a few lots adjacent to the Adult Shelter on Baldwin Ave. to provide space for a building to house Recuperative as well as space to develop a family shelter in response to demonstrated community need. Currently the Recuperative Care Center is housed in rented space which is too small for the need and is located about three miles from the adult shelter.
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Fulfilling the goal of building a new shelter on these lots will allow HOPE as a whole to become more centralized and better serve our guests and the community as a whole.
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Recuperative Care Center
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Time to Heal
HOPE Recuperative Center is the only place in southeast Michigan where homeless individuals can receive proper post hospital care until they recover their strength. This specialty shelter offers up to 15 guests a safe and supportive environment, as well as meals, oversight of their medical treatment, follow-up care, connection with community mental health programs, legal clinic, helping people secure vital identity documents and connection with housing options.
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Coordination of Care
HOPE nurses help our guests to have continuity of care to through their presence at Recuperative. The nurses help to reduce hospital re-admissions through patient education, advocacy, and medication management.
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Image: Nurse, Ruth; Guest, Steve
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Service Navigator, Dave
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Service Navigation
Upon intake, every guest at HOPE is immediately screened to assess what resources might help move them from homelessness. Our Service Navigators advocate for our clients. In addition to the ongoing provision of basic needs, health care, and supportive service coordination, HOPE invites outside agencies with programs related to housing, mental health, and other related issues to visit the center in order to conduct outreach to guests, further connecting them with community resources that address their specific issues and concerns.
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What does the future hold for HOPE?
HOPE continues to respond to the needs of the community. Moving forward, HOPE sees the need to help families experiencing homelessness as a family unit, the need to help people keep their housing, the need to help make physical and mental healthcare more accessible, the need to make fresh foods more accessible, and the need to make community resources more accessible. HOPE is here to be supportive and collaborative.
HOPE provides safe and judgment-free shelter, innovative programs, and public advocacy to end homelessness.
HOPE envisions a community where everyone has the opportunity to move from homelessness to safe housing, gain access to resources, and develop the skills to enhance their quality of life.
HOPE provides safe and judgment-free shelter, innovative programs, and public advocacy to end homelessness.
HOPE envisions a community where everyone has the opportunity to move from homelessness to safe housing, gain access to resources, and develop the skills to enhance their quality of life.
Next Project
HOPE is in the beginning stage of our capital campaign. The goal of the capital campaign is to fund a new venture. In 2015 four lots to the North of HOPE's existing Adult Shelter were donated to the organization. These donated lots will be the site for the new resources.
The new location will house HOPE Community Resource Center and Family Shelter. Currently in Oakland County there are very limited options for families who are experiencing homelessness. Daily, HOPE receives calls from families who are homeless -- living in cars or doubled up with other families. These stories are heart wrenching. In order to fill this gap in homeless services in Oakland County, the addition of the Family Shelter Program is vitally important.
Please look for more information coming soon as our project develops!
The new location will house HOPE Community Resource Center and Family Shelter. Currently in Oakland County there are very limited options for families who are experiencing homelessness. Daily, HOPE receives calls from families who are homeless -- living in cars or doubled up with other families. These stories are heart wrenching. In order to fill this gap in homeless services in Oakland County, the addition of the Family Shelter Program is vitally important.
Please look for more information coming soon as our project develops!
