Organization
Community Hope Center seeks to display the love of Jesus Christ by providing basic needs and other services to individuals and families living in the Cottage Hills, IL area (near Alton). The goal is for those who are materially poor to experience wholeness and abundant life.
Partnership
Over the past 5 years, the agency has undergone an intentional effort to transition to a new service model which they believe will promote life transformation for their clients. This requires an intentional pivot away from a transactional model (distributing food, clothing, etc.) to one that emphasizes client-centered services, relationship building, and co-laboring with parity. Moving forward, services will include a client-choice food pantry (clients shop for their own food) and case management to help address needs and work toward long-term solutions. Clients and community members will also have an opportunity to participate in cohorts designed to develop relationships and help people support each other in moving out of poverty. The agency is forming strategic partnerships with other agencies to provide additional wrap-around assistance. The agency knows that educating donors about and engaging them in this new service model will be key. The Brown Sisters Foundation issued a challenge grant to attract new and increased donations to support this new model.