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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — You might be on their e-mailing list, or have seen their busy Facebook page. HOPE Unlimited hasn't been around that long in Mesa County, but has sure made a name for itself.
The Christian-based program was founded in November 2009 to connect people in need of basic goods and services with providers through a network of churches, nonprofits and ordinary folks with Facebook accounts.
One of their latest projects involved a donation of more than 100 mattresses and box springs from Hampton Inn and getting them to families in need.
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Name: Vicki McGee
Title: Executive director, Benevolent Community Partnership and HOPE Unlimited
Address and contact info: HOPE Unlimited, 634 Main St., Grand Junction, CO 81501
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Are the Benevolent Community Partnership and Hope Unlimited two separate entities? If so, explain how and when each was founded? The Benevolent Community Partnership (best known for organizing Share Fest) was established in 2005 and is a partnership of nonprofits, government, and faith-based entities that work together to help people in need on the road to self-sufficiency.
HOPE Unlimited, a Christian-based program, was established under BCP in November 2009.
Tell us more about HOPE Unlimited: HOPE Unlimited strives to offer appropriate help without enabling continued dependency. We focus on those who want to achieve self-sufficiency.
HOPE Unlimited is a single entry point for people to access services offered by the faith community. When someone contacts HOPE Unlimited we assess their needs and connect them with the appropriate resource. For example: Parenting classes, marriage courses, job search skills, household budgeting help, support groups for drug/alcohol addiction, and support services for children of incarcerated parents are just a few of the services provided by local churches.
Along with assessing immediate physical needs, HOPE Unlimited offers prayer and can further connect them to continual spiritual support through one of the local churches. We also provide counseling and case management for individuals and families as needed.
To avoid duplication, HOPE Unlimited works closely with human services agencies that provide basic needs such as the Department of Human Services, the Workforce Center, the Homeless Shelter, the Housing Authority, the Domestic Violence Safe House, and the Food Bank of the Rockies among others.
From where do you receive funding? We are not funded by Mesa County. We are interested in seeking support from foundations and grants monies and continue to make those requests. Currently, we do not have any incoming funding from any entity at this time. We have no staff, just me. We are totally dependent on fundraisers, individual and church donations and volunteers to donate items to help those in need.
Can you share some success stories that have come from the Hope Unlimited initiative?
• We did “Adopt a Family for Christmas” in 2009 and had 40 families adopted. In 2010 we did it again and that number increased to 130 families adopted for Christmas.
• In 2010 HOPE Unlimited was able to pick up the left over Share Fest projects and get them completed.
• We have helped homeless families that received housing via GJHA by furnishing their homes, so far in 2011 we have helped numerous families furnish their homes.
• We received 130 queen and king mattresses and box springs from Hampton Inn and six storage units donated to house these for one year from Hill and Homes. We have given close to 70 of these beds away so far.
Who's on your board of directors? Debe Colby, Jim Hale, Stacy Hite, Chuck Kornman, Susan Redmond, Lori Rosendaugh, Janet Rowland, Kristy Schmidt and Paul Watson.
Are you looking for volunteers? Yes, Hope Unlimited is totally dependent on volunteers, for donations, both financial and material items. At this time we do not have a real space to have volunteers come to help, but there is much they can do from their own home and computer and telephone.
What's the next big event coming up for BCP or Hope Unlimited? Share Fest is planned for April 30-May 1. You can go to the Share Fest website at www.gjsharefest.com to submit a need or to adopt a need. Call organizer Debe Colby for more information at 242-1923.
The Christian-based program was founded in November 2009 to connect people in need of basic goods and services with providers through a network of churches, nonprofits and ordinary folks with Facebook accounts.
One of their latest projects involved a donation of more than 100 mattresses and box springs from Hampton Inn and getting them to families in need.
==============================
Name: Vicki McGee
Title: Executive director, Benevolent Community Partnership and HOPE Unlimited
Address and contact info: HOPE Unlimited, 634 Main St., Grand Junction, CO 81501
===============================
Are the Benevolent Community Partnership and Hope Unlimited two separate entities? If so, explain how and when each was founded? The Benevolent Community Partnership (best known for organizing Share Fest) was established in 2005 and is a partnership of nonprofits, government, and faith-based entities that work together to help people in need on the road to self-sufficiency.
HOPE Unlimited, a Christian-based program, was established under BCP in November 2009.
Tell us more about HOPE Unlimited: HOPE Unlimited strives to offer appropriate help without enabling continued dependency. We focus on those who want to achieve self-sufficiency.
HOPE Unlimited is a single entry point for people to access services offered by the faith community. When someone contacts HOPE Unlimited we assess their needs and connect them with the appropriate resource. For example: Parenting classes, marriage courses, job search skills, household budgeting help, support groups for drug/alcohol addiction, and support services for children of incarcerated parents are just a few of the services provided by local churches.
Along with assessing immediate physical needs, HOPE Unlimited offers prayer and can further connect them to continual spiritual support through one of the local churches. We also provide counseling and case management for individuals and families as needed.
To avoid duplication, HOPE Unlimited works closely with human services agencies that provide basic needs such as the Department of Human Services, the Workforce Center, the Homeless Shelter, the Housing Authority, the Domestic Violence Safe House, and the Food Bank of the Rockies among others.
From where do you receive funding? We are not funded by Mesa County. We are interested in seeking support from foundations and grants monies and continue to make those requests. Currently, we do not have any incoming funding from any entity at this time. We have no staff, just me. We are totally dependent on fundraisers, individual and church donations and volunteers to donate items to help those in need.
Can you share some success stories that have come from the Hope Unlimited initiative?
• We did “Adopt a Family for Christmas” in 2009 and had 40 families adopted. In 2010 we did it again and that number increased to 130 families adopted for Christmas.
• In 2010 HOPE Unlimited was able to pick up the left over Share Fest projects and get them completed.
• We have helped homeless families that received housing via GJHA by furnishing their homes, so far in 2011 we have helped numerous families furnish their homes.
• We received 130 queen and king mattresses and box springs from Hampton Inn and six storage units donated to house these for one year from Hill and Homes. We have given close to 70 of these beds away so far.
Who's on your board of directors? Debe Colby, Jim Hale, Stacy Hite, Chuck Kornman, Susan Redmond, Lori Rosendaugh, Janet Rowland, Kristy Schmidt and Paul Watson.
Are you looking for volunteers? Yes, Hope Unlimited is totally dependent on volunteers, for donations, both financial and material items. At this time we do not have a real space to have volunteers come to help, but there is much they can do from their own home and computer and telephone.
What's the next big event coming up for BCP or Hope Unlimited? Share Fest is planned for April 30-May 1. You can go to the Share Fest website at www.gjsharefest.com to submit a need or to adopt a need. Call organizer Debe Colby for more information at 242-1923.
