Q: Is Hope Cottage a domestic violence shelter?
A: Hope Cottage is a homeless shelter for any woman or child (with a mother) who has need for shelter. The reasons are varied and domestic violence is only one (and not the usual) reason women need our services.
Q: Who comes to the Hope Cottage for help?
A: Most of the women and children who come can be grouped into one of the following groups:
1. Women and children who are travelers, usually staying 1 to 5 days (42%)
a. Travelers are those who might break down on the interstate while on vacation or moving from place to place.
b. Those that might have health issues needing hospitalization and their family members need shelter assistance.
c. A college student/city resident who has a domestic dispute and needs to be out of their current living situation.
d. Displaced mentally ill women and children who need assistance because they have run out of their monthly disability stipend or need assistance
finding housing.
2. Women and children who are attempting to relocate themselves locally or from another state, usually staying from 1 to 3 months (48%)
a. This is the largest population that the Hope Cottage serves. These women might have lost their apartments or homes due to illness, finances,
abuse, addiction. They stay and get a job, save their income with our budgeting system, look for a place to live and then relocate.
3. Women and children who are classified as disabled by the state or federal government system of disability, usually staying from 1 to 3 months
(included in traveler or relocation)
a. These women are entered and exited as travelers or relocation but have specific needs that are addressed by the Hope Cottage guidelines and
Staff.
1. Women and children who are travelers, usually staying 1 to 5 days (42%)
a. Travelers are those who might break down on the interstate while on vacation or moving from place to place.
b. Those that might have health issues needing hospitalization and their family members need shelter assistance.
c. A college student/city resident who has a domestic dispute and needs to be out of their current living situation.
d. Displaced mentally ill women and children who need assistance because they have run out of their monthly disability stipend or need assistance
finding housing.
2. Women and children who are attempting to relocate themselves locally or from another state, usually staying from 1 to 3 months (48%)
a. This is the largest population that the Hope Cottage serves. These women might have lost their apartments or homes due to illness, finances,
abuse, addiction. They stay and get a job, save their income with our budgeting system, look for a place to live and then relocate.
3. Women and children who are classified as disabled by the state or federal government system of disability, usually staying from 1 to 3 months
(included in traveler or relocation)
a. These women are entered and exited as travelers or relocation but have specific needs that are addressed by the Hope Cottage guidelines and
Staff.
Q: What is a Gospel Mission? Since Hope Cottage is a Gospel Mission, are the women and children who come to Hope Cottage required to have a faith background?
A: A Gospel Mission is a ministry that believes in the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Hope Cottage exists to live and be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to those who are hurting and in need of salvation and restoration.
The women and children who come to Hope Cottage do not have to have any faith or they may have other faith backgrounds or beliefs than our Christian faith. Hope Cottage helps anyone who has a need for our services, and we welcome non-believers, Jews, and all others.
The women and children who come to Hope Cottage do not have to have any faith or they may have other faith backgrounds or beliefs than our Christian faith. Hope Cottage helps anyone who has a need for our services, and we welcome non-believers, Jews, and all others.
Q: How does the Hope Cottage staff assist the mentally ill women and children?
A: Women and children who come to Hope Cottage with physical or mental problems are welcome at the Hope Cottage as long as they are self-sufficient, not a harm to themselves or others, and are willing to pursue their healing in the areas where they are in need of assistance.
During the intake process of women and children, if a woman claims a disability status (SSD/SSDI) or if it appears that there is a disability, the staff member might require a psychological evaluation, specific case management, or a confidentiality release from the local Guidance Center. If this is required, it is to make sure that the woman or child(ren) stays consistent in her/their counseling and/or prescribed medication.
During the intake process of women and children, if a woman claims a disability status (SSD/SSDI) or if it appears that there is a disability, the staff member might require a psychological evaluation, specific case management, or a confidentiality release from the local Guidance Center. If this is required, it is to make sure that the woman or child(ren) stays consistent in her/their counseling and/or prescribed medication.
Q: Does the Hope Cottage have a lot of women and children who come back more than once?
A: Hope Cottage sees fewer than five percent of the traveling women back in a year. There are women in addictive and mental health cycles that we have seen more than once, but even that is unusual. These women need help to heal, and our hope is that when they return to Hope Cottage that the cycle will break. Any time a woman comes to Hope Cottage, she sets goals and is held accountable. Some women leave quickly because they are not ready to become accountable; but when they are ready, they know they are welcome to come back.
Q: Is the Hope Cottage mostly focused on Discipleship?
A: All women and children have the opportunity to stay in the long-term discipleship ministry. This intensive program produces the greatest amount of personal change. In this group, 90-95% of the women remain healthy, keep a job, and move forward with their lives. Relocating women have an 82% success rate. Our goal is to encourage women and children who need intensive ministry into discipleship, but it is always their choice whether or not to make this commitment. Some do, while others do not. At any given time, about 25% of our residents are in the Discipleship Program.
Q: Does Hope Cottage follow up with women after they leave?
A: Many women stay in town and we see them regularly. They may come back for dinner and chapel and other activities once they have been a part of our family. Many of the women do stay in touch with us.
Q: What is the relationship between Sunshine Rescue Mission and Hope Cottage?
A: SRM and Hope Cottage are one institution governed by one Board of Directions. We are celebrating 50 years of service in 2007! The name of the corporation is the Sunshine Rescue Mission which is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
From an accounting perspective, Hope Cottage maintains separate accounts under the umbrella of SRM.
From an accounting perspective, Hope Cottage maintains separate accounts under the umbrella of SRM.
