Hope House (Giles County Shelter) recognizes the United Fund of Giles County 2009 Campaign.

The Hope House - Tax exempt under IRS section 501( C )3 - located in Narrows is a Partner with the United Fund of Giles County. As such the Hope House receives a portion of its operating support from the United Fund. The United Fund is a “stable” source of base funding and does make a difference in the mission of the Hope House. The mission is to provide a safe emergency shelter for families experiencing a housing crisis and to connect them with supportive services that promote and enhance their self-sufficiency and stability.

In 1990 the Shelter (now Hope House) began operating in Pearisburg in a mobile home in Bluff City. Later the Shelter moved to a house on Curve Road. The house was one unit or for one family. Between January 2006 and August 2007, 397 nights were provided to families. With a growing population of homeless families, the Shelter board recognized the need to expand. Opportunity came from property located in Narrows and the sale of the property on Curve Road was approved by the Shelter Board . In May of 2008, the Hope House opened in a new 2 unit house in Narrows. With the expansion came additional capital costs as well as anticipated increased operating cost. Since the new shelter opened (first occupied May 11 2008) through August 22 2008, the shelter has been occupied for 89 days.

Community and United Fund support has been and continues to be a vital component of the Hope House. The 2008 phase of the campaign for the Hope House is drawing to a close. The board has solicited businesses, churches, individual, governmental units and grants for shelter operations which includes monthly payments for capital expenditures. Special thanks to the Community Foundation of the New River Valley for the grant received during the 2008 Spring Cycle.

The Hope House Board – Kenneth Vittum, Tammy Blankenship, Nancy Rader, Mark Haynie, Linda Boggs, Howard Spencer, James “Buddy” Kast, Clara O’Brien, Betty Spears, Jean Parks, John Davis, Nancy Haynie, Morgan Millirons, Rev. Brad Scott, Rev. Chris Brown appreciates the support of the community in both manners – both direct and your support of the United Fund.

The Hope House mailing Address is 604 Wenonah Avenue, Pearisburg, Va 24134 and the physical location is 138 Old Virginia Avenue, Narrows, Va. All mail is received at the Pearisburg address.

Submitted by Linda Boggs and Nancy Rader