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Power of
HOPE speaker and
author
Liz Murray captivates
audience
Nearly 500 people packed the Marriott Grand Ballroom
to hear LIZ MURRAY's inspirational story and support HOPE
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Liz Murray
Photo by Stephen Lindsay |
Liz
Murray riveted the all-ages audience on Thursday, Sept. 16, at the
Power of HOPE, a fundraiser to benefit HOPE Ministries. Liz's commanding
stage presence had the audience hanging on her every word. She
shared her story of growing up on the streets of New York City with
great candor and even more humor. Liz connected her story of
childhood poverty and hunger to the all-too-similar daily struggles
of HOPE's clients. Liz viscerally reminded the audience that
organizations like HOPE need financial support to help those
at-risk for homelessness become self-sufficient. To all who made
this event possible, all who attended, and all who made contributions -
THANK YOU!!
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HOPE Board president Don Morgan, left, chats with former HOPE client Valerie Clark, featured in the new HOPE video that premiered at Power of HOPE.
Photo by Stephen Lindsay,
Lindsay Project Photography. |
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Many thanks to all our
event volunteers. We couldn't have done it without you! Above: Gwen
Bethly, left, of Hope Community United Methodist Church, and Dot
Harman, of First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge. |
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Our Mission:
Prevent homelessness.
Promote self-sufficiency and dignity.
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Holidays for HOPE
are just around
the corner!
It's time to begin thinking about how you can help make this a happier time of year for the hundreds of families we serve each holiday season. 
Look for our wish list in your mailbox later this month.
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| Food donations needed |
 | | Our shelves are nearly empty! Can you help? |
HOPE's
Client Choice Food Pantry is in need of food now more than
ever. Due to increased demand and decreased funding to both the
Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and HOPE, your generous donations of food
are vital to continue feeding the hungry. In 2009, HOPE
served 242,000 pounds of food to just over 14,000
people through the food pantry. The number of persons served
has increased by 12% so far in 2010.
The pantry is currently in need of the following items: For more information about sponsoring a food drive, please contact Janet Simmons at jsimmons@hopebr.org or 225-355-0702 ext. 22.
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| Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World © |
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Getting Ahead participant Jashonda Adams, right, has a
one-on-one discussion with co-facilitator Denise Porter, left. |
HOPE's Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World © training
series is a precursor to a traditional financial literacy class
and empowers participants to create a personalized action plan for
building economic stability and getting out of poverty. Getting Ahead
not only facilitates change in financial decision-making skills, but in
other attitudes and patterns of behavior as well. The training series
helps participants better understand their circumstances related to
living in poverty, enlarge their network of existing resources, and
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Ahead co-facilitator Dick Stonich, center, explains a tricky concept to
participants Eloise and Steve Betz, a married couple taking Getting
Ahead together. |
develop concrete plans for
moving forward with confidence and a greater sense of purpose. Along the
way, participants learn many "soft skills" necessary for success in
today's job market.
 The
40-hour educational workshop is made up of 15 modules held twice
weekly in the evenings for eight weeks with child care
provided. The course is co-facilitated by HOPE volunteers Denise Porter
and Dick Stonich. This month, HOPE will graduate five more people
from the program, bringing our cumulative graduate count
to 97. Of these, 72% report that they continue to actively work on
their action plan for getting out of poverty and have reached at least
one of their goals. Join us at our next Getting Ahead graduation
6 pm Thursday, Oct. 7
Dinner follows graduation ceremony
@ HOPE - 4643 Winbourne Ave.
Please RSVP to jhammett@hopebr.org by Oct. 6
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| Volunteer! How to help HOPE... |
 | | Volunteer
mentor Barbara Burks, left, and HOPE Senior Family Service Coordinator
Tracy Banks, right, congratulate Family Mentoring Program client
Donna Johnson, center, as she receives three "interview suits" and a new
pair of dress shoes donated by the Order of the Eastern Stars - Diamond
Stars #846. Barbara and Tracy have been helping Donna prepare
for job interviews, and now Donna is more confident than ever
about her job prospects. |
Want to help HOPE? You can...
To help clients shop or stock shelves, contact Janet Simmons at jsimmons@hopebr.org or 225-355-0702 x22.
To interview clients or serve as a mentor,
To assist with data entry or clerical tasks, |
| Do you work with people in poverty? | |
Understanding the Dynamics of Poverty is a one-day training for case managers, social workers, counselors, teachers and anyone working with people in poverty.
Participants learn about:
- what causes poverty
- how to work with people in poverty
- how to identify local resources
- what instigates changes in the community
- hidden rules of economic class
Contact Janet Simmons at 225-355-0702 ext. 22 or jsimmons@hopebr.org to find out when and where our next training will be held or how we can bring the training to you.
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| Support HOPE:
Apply for a Capital One Affinity Card! |
Click one of the cards to find out how you can support HOPE every time you go shopping!
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| Support HOPE:
Make a donation online! |
It's easy to make a one-time donation online. Just click on the "doors of HOPE"
to make a safe, secure donation with PayPal! | |
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