We at House of Hope believe in the holistic approach to educating and raising our teens. We have divided our program into four segments to give them the education and healing they need. We call it the H.O.P.E. program.
House of Hope provides teenage girls and boys ages 13 to 18; a Christ centered refuge from a life of degradation and exploitation. Through Christian counseling, education, and spiritual guidance administered in a loving, home-style environment, efforts are made to heal the hurt of the teen, as well as their family and where possible affect family reconciliation.
House of Hope campus will consist of several residential houses (Esther’s village for girls, and Joshua’s village for boys), a chapel, Hope Academy School, a future gymnasium, a cafeteria or dining hall, administrative building (with offices, corporate board meeting room, small library, intake area, and counseling offices), a Ministry house, and a barn housing possible horses for Equistrian therapy. We hope to have a vegetable garden, fruit trees and bushes, and to raise organic food as part of our healthy eating program for the residents as well.
When God directs and the funds are available, we have a vision to open a resident home for Pregnant teen girls under the umbrella of House of Hope.
We are praying for funds to come in now for property that we have signed “A right of first refusal” on. We have until March 12, 2009 to raise the money. It's location is 1632 West Lake Rd. in Bellevue, Michigan, nestled on 100 acres, on High Hill Lake, (a private lake). There is an existing home with enough space to start operating with at least 6 girls, a house staff, corporate offices, and counseling office as it exists now. We will need to raise money for the school equipment, bunk beds, office equipment, food, salary for the Teacher, office worker, counselor and house staff before opening for operation. As soon as we raise the money for the existing property ($900,000) and the above things, we can open for operations.
The ultimate goal of our program is to prepare troubled teenagers to become productive members of society. House of Hope's residential program includes instruction in life skills. As a starting point, each resident is assigned specific household duties and chores. Responsibility is earned and tested through a 30 day orientation and three-phase program which rewards performance and the attitude of the resident during their 12-18 month stay.
Troubled teenagers are usually unable to respond properly to authority figures and cannot relate constructively to peers. To deal with these problems, House of Hope provides a loving, stable family environment in which residents are expected to accept responsibility, submit to authority and relate effectively to peers and adults. This is accomplished through intensive group, family and individual counseling, and strong spiritual guidance designed to heal fractured family relationships. We provide a staff of professional and pastoral counselors.
Our personal enrichment program includes a variety of sports, creative arts and social activities. House of Hope residents participate in healthy competition, creatively working out frustrations and stress. Educational field trips are carefully selected. The social activities are workshops led by volunteer teachers/tutors/experts, which offer hands-on experience and training in various areas, including personal grooming, hygiene, makeup, etiquette, communication skills, music, drama, art, photography, cooking, dance, computer skills, gardening, food prep, relationship & conflict resolution, animal care, responding to authority, family dynamics, health and nutrition, and other social and creative skills.
Each student attends our on-campus Learning Center, which features the Accelerated Christian Educational (ACE) program. The ACE program offers a high school diploma with transferable credits. Upon arrival, each student is given a diagnostic test which determines an appropriate placement level in each course. An individualized educational program is then designed for each student, allowing them to progress at their own pace.
Most students, because of behavioral problems, poor attendance, and lack of motivation are behind in their regular grade level when they come to House of Hope. In our program, they quickly make up courses and achieve their academic level.
We are excited to see this vision become a reality as many come along side us to donate money for the property and provisions to begin this work. Until that time, we offer prayer support and a bridge for other programs in the area. We hope to open Non-resident counseling in the near future. Keep an eye on our site for future updates!