Parker County Center of Hope

Basic Assistance Program: Basic Crisis Assistance offers hot meals served daily in the dining room, groceries, financial help with utility bills, prescriptions, and medical expenses, as well as professional counseling referrals. In addition to regular hours of operation, evening hours are available one day each week. $56,569 of volunteer labor and $347 of professional services were donated to this program. The number of services received by participants through the Basic Assistance Program was 9,289.

The Hope Chest Resale Store: The Hope Chest is an upscale resale store where people in the community can donate items and shop for treasures. All store proceeds go directly to Center of Hope to support programs that provide help to struggling families living in poverty. The store also offers a 6-month paid, work internship program. Qualifying interns will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the store manager to improve on core work readiness skills while staying connected to their life coach and classes at the Center. $259 of volunteer services/labor was contributed to the Hope Chest Program.

Education and Career Development Program: Education and Career Development offers services that strengthen academic, social and emotional skills. The Adult Basic Education program includes individualized GED tutoring; an adult literacy program which provides instructional support to adult learners who struggle with reading, writing, and low literacy skills; five levels of English as a Second Language; and Citizenship Prep. The Career Development program provides the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to obtain employment and create a greater success in work. S.T.E.P.S. (Start Today Empowering Personal Success) assists students with making a plan of action and connects them with a life coach; Jobs for Life and Powered for Life teach life and job skill training; Computer Class teaches basic computer operations as well as instruction on MicroSoft Office Suite; The Careers Now program provides one-on-one job coaching, assistance with resume and interview prep, professional development classes, job search assistance, and a construction program; The Hope Chest paid work internship program focuses on developing soft skills as they work in a retail environment; Financial Management prepares students to meet with a Financial Coach which helps them create a personal budget and gain insight into their spending habits; and CALM class helps students deal with anxiety and depression. $60,646 of volunteer labor was donated to this program. The number of services received by participants through the Education & Career Development Program was 8,640.