«Community support has been absolutely phenomenal

Kabinda «It’s real, it’s really happening,» Hope House founder and board of directors vice president Karla Brock, her enthusiasm unchecked, said of the project that has been more than two years in the making. «It’s a real house, and it will help real people.»

Located at 1215 Cherokee Ave., in the former Department of Human canada goose outlet jackets Services office building donated by an anonymous donor, Hope House was established to provide a safe place for women and their children struggling to find a sense of peace.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of many local churches, businesses, community organizations and individuals, Hope House is ready to welcome those in need.

«I feel so honored to be here,» said Hope House Director Deborah Harris. canada goose outlet uk «It’s been my prayer for more than six years that God would send to me someone canada goose outlet online uk with the same vision, canada goose outlet nyc same calling, that I have to help Canada Goose sale people with root issues life controlling problems.»

While many residents will be referred by such organizations as DHS, local churches, and the hospital, the very first resident canada goose factory sale simply walked through the front door.

«She didn’t stay long, but it’s the official canada goose outlet first time I’ve seen so much done for canada goose outlet online a person Canada Goose Jackets in six days,» Harris said.

«She said she had been living in her truck for three weeks,» Brock added.

«She received some valuable tools, and it filled a void for her, and whether it’s six days, or six months, there’s a place where they’re safe.»

Harris added that McAlester’s Hope House, officially opened on Aug. 6, is not designed for battered women on the run.

«This house is more for those struggling with a need for structure,» she said. «We help them work towards building independence and making it on their own.»

Hope House offers housing, training, and instruction so that residents will be able to recognize what an organized, structured life looks like. A full schedule each day demonstrates that concept.

«We need them to stay busy,» Harris explained, «in order for them to stay focused on their training.»

While Harris oversees the day to day running of the house, Gail Stinnett is in charge at night.

«Gail is a product of a similar project in Wilburton,» Harris said. «She graduated from that program in 2000. She is now our night monitor, and is canada goose outlet store uk invaluable. canada goose outlet in usa Without her, we could not be operating.»

In addition to Stinnett and canada goose clearance sale Harris, countless volunteers continue to be an invaluable commodity in the project.

The Hope canada goose coats House board has partnerships with an endless list of service oriented organizations already in the works to get their residents headed in the right direction.

«We’re not going to duplicate efforts, we don’t want to re invent the wheel,» Karla Brock said. «We want to partner to provide access to what’s already there.»

«We’re going to partner canada goose outlet uk sale with Shared Blessings for food and clothing donations, and Shared Blessings’ clinics are helping provide medical and dental care,» said board treasurer Carolyn Hathcote.

«We’re partnering with OSU Cooperative Extension’s Ladell Emmons for nutrition and meal planning. We’re going to work with all the organizations that offer the services our women will need.»

Harris added that not only will Hope House help women work on personal skills through classes that focus on such things as gauging right from wrong, overcoming guilt, and developing viable thought processes that work for canada goose outlet shop them, but one of the project goals is job training and skill development.

To that end, partnerships are being forged with Work Force of Oklahoma, Kiamichi Career Tech, and McAlester Public Schools. «Carl Albert Mental Health Center is offering assessment and treatment, and DHS is providing case workers to help get our cheap canada goose residents on assistance. The health department is assisting canadian goose jacket with WIC and immunizations.»

«It’s like the whole community was holding its breath, just waiting for someone to do this,» Brock said. «Community support has been absolutely phenomenal.»

Board members agreed, without such support, project plans would still just be on paper.

«It’s not just one church, or organization,» Harris explained. «Many churches came together to help renovate the inside. They would come in and canada goose black friday sale claim a room, and then they painted it, decorated it, everything. Each of the rooms was done by a different church. They’re all different, and https://www.cheshuntteamministry.org.uk they’re all beautiful.»

As a result, 12 rooms stand ready and waiting, some with one bed, some with beds for mother and children, all with dressers, night stands, buy canada goose jacket cheap chairs, and trinkets to make them feel like home.

Cheerful colors on the walls and quilts canada goose outlet on the beds invite rest and a sense of comfort.

«We already have in excess of 100 individuals and businesses that have donated money, time, labor, furniture, housewares, food, clothing, office supplies, I can’t even list everything,» Brock said.

«The Life Church men have put in countless hours canada goose outlet sale in construction and painting, and I think Bill Derichsweiler must have personally carried every piece of furniture in here. He’s been completely immersed since day one.».