Hope Harbor move a success
Hope Harbor, Inc. is pleased to announce that they are officially moved back into their newly renovated facility at 610 W. Division. Upon moving to a temporary shelter in February 2009, Hope Harbor was able to continue its transitional shelter program on a smaller scale, but was unable to run their emergency shelter services out of the temporary location. Beginning today (February 1, 2010) the emergency shelter services are again available.
"Welcome home Hope Harbor residents and staff!" said Melissa DeLaet, Executive Director. "The last few months have been very trying on the agency, but everything has come together and we are more than thrilled with the results. Since moving back home our numbers have more than doubled and we are receiving more and more referrals every day. The community has been lacking in some services since last February when we moved having to suspend our emergency shelter temporarily, and having reduced space available for our transitional shelter. I am happy to say that we are back up and running and are better than ever."
"It's great to be back and to see the residents and staff getting settled into our newly renovated home," said Ellen Hornady, Board President. "I am so proud of our dedicated staff and the hard work they have put in getting us up and running again to meet the needs of our community."
Hope Harbor's emergency shelter is now equipped with 12 beds in three rooms, as well as a three-quarters ADA accessible bathroom. Emergency shelter services are available from 9:15 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
The transitional shelter is equipped with 56 beds in 26 rooms. One wing is dedicated strictly to families whom have entered the transitional program. This wing has several adjoining rooms allowing the Hope Harbor staff to create larger rooms for larger families as needed.
After a successful Capital Campaign in 2007 & 2008 Hope Harbor has been fortunate enough to complete a major renovation to its facility. These updates include: fire sprinkler systems, updated plumbing, new heating and air systems, a renovated kitchen, walled case management offices, new flooring and paint, an education room to hold their unique classes in, ADA accessibility and a new roof, doors and windows.
Hope Harbor serves homeless and near-homeless women, children and families by providing safe shelter, meals, intensive case management and educational programs to assist residents in becoming self-sufficient. The office hours are Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with staff available to take donations at that time. Residents of Hope Harbor will be able to take donations at the south door of the facility after the offices are closed.
View our Renovation Photos.
Our Mission
We provide services to needy, displaced homeless, near homeless families, and women and children. We help meet their needs for safe shelter, meals, and supportive case management with a goal of obtaining permanent housing and becoming self-sufficient.
Thank you to all the individuals, organizations and groups who generously give in support of Hope Harbor. Your donations truly make a difference in the lives of others. A few of these corporations who assist are : Tom Dinsdale Chevrolet, Cadillac & GMC | Skagway | St. Leo's Catholic Church | Trinity United Methodist Church | Wal-Mart | Johnny's Lock & Key | Home Depot | Principal Financial Group | Wave Pizza Company | and many many more.
WHO ARE THE HOMELESS
*There are 68,000 children living in poverty in Nebraska. 7 out of every 100 of these children are homeless.
*The typical homeless family consists of a single mother and 2 children.
*The average monthly income for a single mother in Nebraska who receives public assistance is less than $557, or less than 50% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
*This family can afford to pay $167 per month in rent, leaving a deficit of $463 from the amount needed to rent a two-bedroom apartment at the state's average fair market rent.
*For families in this situation, even a seemingly minor event can trigger a catastrophic outcome, pushing a family onto the streets.
(All according to Nebraska State Report Card on Child Homelessness)
*According to the 2008 Nebraska Homeless Assistance Program Application, the State defines homelessness as: "A person or family who lacks fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and who has a primary nighttime residence that is (1) a supervised publicly or privately-operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, youth hostels, domestic abuse shelters; and transitional programs for the mentally ill; or (2) an institution that provides a temporary residence for persons intended to be institutionalized; or (3) a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings."