A Place to Call Home is Just the Beginning

Without stable housing, it’s almost impossible to keep a job, manage health, or support a family. For people in recovery or transition, having a safe place to live is the first step toward rebuilding. At Spirit of Hope, we see every day how stability opens the door to possibility.

The Starting Point

When clients come to Spirit of Hope, they are completely homeless. Some arrive directly from inpatient programs, some after couch-surfing or living in their cars. Every resident must be in recovery and mentally stable, with at least 30 days clean and sober.

This foundation is essential. Recovery without a safe environment doesn’t last. At Spirit of Hope, stability begins with one simple requirement: sobriety. From there, we can help build everything else.

The Spirit of Hope Approach

Each new resident begins with a one-hour intake interview with our founder, Ellen Jackson, who carefully matches them to a house and even to a specific bed based on personality fit.

The first week is about meeting immediate needs:

• Sundries and food are provided

• Clothing is sourced from local partners like Fish and Classy Seconds

• Doctor and therapy appointments are scheduled, with transportation arranged

• Medications are organized into weekly pill boxes to prevent missed doses

• Identification, Social Security, and benefits issues are addressed

Case management is hands-on. If a resident needs to call Social Security, they won’t have to navigate the system alone — we stay on the line with them. Every step is about reducing barriers, restoring dignity, and making sure nothing stands in the way of recovery.

Just as important, residents don’t live in isolated facilities. They live in real houses in real neighborhoods, forming families under one roof. This model helps them integrate into the community and maintain good neighbor relationships, some spanning more than 10 years.

Why Housing Matters

Stable housing is the foundation for everything else. Once residents know where they’ll sleep each night, they can focus on health, employment, education, and reconnecting with loved ones.

Take “Sarah,” a composite of many residents. Before Spirit of Hope, she was living in her car, juggling untreated health issues and overwhelming uncertainty. Today, she has a safe bed, access to therapy and medical care, and a part-time job. Most importantly, she has reconnected with her daughter. Housing made that possible.

How the Community Helps

Spirit of Hope’s model works because the community makes it possible. Cash donations pay the bills that keep the lights on, the lawns trimmed, and the carpets clean. Volunteers lend a hand with housecleaning, yard work, and companionship for residents.

Neighbors, too, play a role — from keeping a watchful eye to lending support in small but meaningful ways. Over the past decade, Spirit of Hope homes have become trusted fixtures in their neighborhoods.

Your support ensures every resident has more than shelter. It gives them the tools, stability, and dignity they need to rebuild.

How You Can Help

Every donation goes directly to sustaining operations — from utilities to maintenance. Current needs include:

• Cash donations for monthly expenses

• Linens (bath towels, kitchen towels, twin sheet sets, queen sheet sets)

• Walmart gift cards for linen and supply purchases

You can help provide the stability that changes everything. Click the button below to get started!

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