House of Hope and Children’s Services Council Launch Family-Centered Coaching
STUART, Fla. – House of Hope and the Martin County Children’s Services Council are partnering in an initiative called Family-Centered Coaching to help House of Hope clients become stronger, more independent, and better advocates for themselves and their families.
“This approach has the potential to be transformative for our organization and for the whole community,” explained House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri. “It puts the participants in the driver’s seat and helps them learn how to make the best choices for themselves.”
The Children’s Services Council has been looking for a program like this, according to CSC Executive Director David Heaton. House of Hope, with its mission of empowering its clients, seemed like a natural match to pioneer the program locally.
“We see this as a paradigm shift in how we approach the process of helping and empowering people,” Heaton said. “It assumes they are creative, capable, and resourceful. It positions staff as ‘coaches’ instead of ‘fixers.’ That difference in language and approach between saying ‘This is what we offer’ to ‘What do you need?’ creates an environment that makes change possible.”
More than 120 organizations in 32 states have already adopted the approach of Family-Centered Coaching, a program of The Prosperity Agenda. Amber Wilson, a regional Partnership Manager, described the empowering effects that other organizations have witnessed. “When people recognize that they have strengths and expertise of their own, they become problem solvers on their own behalf. They become better able to care for themselves and their families, and ultimately better able to be productive members of the community.”
House of Hope staff will spend the next year learning how to incorporate the spirit and language of Family-Centered Coaching into every aspect of their work, from feeding the hungry and growing fresh produce to offering clothing and rental assistance, counseling, classes, and internships.
The program launch is set for the end of May. “We consider this CSC program award a true gift to our organization,” Ranieri said. “It will be a lot of work, but it’s a great opportunity for our staff, our clients, and the entire community.”
About House of Hope
Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Martin County residents to overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches the lives of more than 21,000 people each month, helping with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, financial assistance, as well as longer-term case management services that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future. The organization has service centers in Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach, and Thrift Shops in South Stuart, Hobe Sound and Indiantown. House of Hope’s Enrichment Centers in Stuart and Jensen Beach offer free programs, technology, and workshops designed to enhance life skills, earning potential, health, and overall well-being. House of Hope also operates the Growing Hope Farm in Palm City and several nutrition gardens that provide sustainable sources of fresh produce for clients as well as nutrition education and vocational opportunities to the community. For more information, visit hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Hohmartin, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/houseofhopemc/, and Twitter https://twitter.com/hohmartin.
