Welcome to the Rotary Club of HOPE

(Homeless Outreach, Prevention and Education)

We are a group of people that are passionate about making a difference in the world. Our club focuses on ways we can help people that are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We HOPE to bring greater understanding to the problems and the vast number of issues that contribute to homelessness.

Already a Rotarian? You can join as an associate member!

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The Third Place

There are three things homeless persons find themselves missing: home, work, and community. One center in the Quad Cities offers the opportunity for all three, especially the latter.

The Third Place not only gives its clientele the chance to find places to live and work, but also a chance to connect with others.

Christie Adamson helped establish this center in Rock Island, IL. She told the Rotary Club of HOPE at its October 15th meeting that people living on the street lose their connections to home and family; they offer a meeting center, which gives them a chance to talk to others and stay connected to the outside world.

She originally estimated they would have 30 to 40 visitors a week; in just a year, that has grown to as many as 150 people a day.

They provide opportunities such as employment services, meals, and health services; and more basic needs such as restrooms, charging stations, and a place to get out of the weather.

The Third Place QC is located at 2000 Third Avenue in Rock Island, IL 61201. For more information, call (309) 553-3461

IHYC & YSS

The Iowa Homeless Youth Center and YSS provide housing for youths who have aged out of the foster system, or been otherwise turned away by their families…and gives them the chance they need to start their lives as adults.

Anupam Mittra and Montgomery Cason spoke to the Rotary Club of HOPE at its October 1st meeting. They outlined how the IHYC gives youths who have no home or income and who would be at risk in an adult shelter, a safer environment to help them with the transition.

Reggie Kelsey was one such youth; he aged out of foster care in 2000, and was later found dead under a bridge because he had no safe place to go to. Reggie's Sleepout is held each year in his honor, with participants spending the night in cardboard shelters on the Drake University football field.

This year's Sleepout will be on Friday, October 9th and Saturday, October 10th; participants and volunteers are still welcome.

Scripture Sisters: Bibles & Backpacks

Another grassroots effort to help the homeless in and around Des Moines has been underway since February of this year; the organizers say they want to expand their small efforts, and reach out to more people as time goes on.

Alyssa Clausen and Fallon Harwood joined the Rotary Club of HOPE at its September 17th meeting; their Bibles & Backpacks campaign seeks to gather donations of clothing, hygiene supplies, food, and backpacks to hold them all. Each one would also contain a Bible, offering spiritual & physical comfort together.

They have only been out two or three times so far, but want to collect more items & hold a packing event in advance of their next mission.

Anyone interested in helping out can contact Bibles & Backpacks at scripturesisters12@gmail.com

Humilty Homes Expands Operations

Ashley Velez-Hagler, CEO for Humility Homes and Services, spoke with the Rotary Club of HOPE at the August 6th meeting. She says while they continue to maintain emergency shelter services, there is increased need and emphasis on providing long-term housing needs. Humility is in the process of adding 11 new units for that purpose; and the development of a regional homeless plan is bringing together more resources from both sides of the state line.

A recording of the meeting can be found HERE.

Further information is available from their website at https://www.humilityhomes.org

Homeless Veterans Stand Down

There are many veterans who find themselves homeless after their time in the service; whenever they were discharged, they somehow wound up falling through the cracks in the country they served.

The Homeless Veterans Stand Down will again be held near downtown Des Moines, from September 18th to 20th.

Jessica Chapman is this year's chair for the event; she told the Rotary Club of HOPE at its July 16th meeting that they will again offer food, clothing, shelter, and general assistance with the needs of these overlooked veterans. A recording of the meeting can be found HERE

It starts Friday, September 18th; the traditional Veterans Hour has been expanded to all of Friday evening. The general public is invited on Saturday and Sunday morning.

Those wishing to donate or volunteer can contact Jessica at jchapmanhvs@gmail.com for more information.