Hope in Our Community: From the Desk of Our CEO

One of the questions we hear most often from our supporters is “why do you have so many different programs and services?” One answer is that we are trying to equip our clients with the tools that they need to break the cycle of poverty. The cycle of poverty, also sometimes referred to as generational poverty, is when poverty seems to be inherited, preventing subsequent generations from escaping its grip. Families trapped in poverty consistently have few to no resources, and lack financial capital, education and social connections needed to change their circumstances.

There are grim realities associated with the cycle of poverty. About 50% of babies born into poverty will remain persistently poor well into adulthood. Children who experience persistent poverty are 90% more likely to enter their 20s without completing high school. People living in poverty experience higher than normal levels of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure. Poverty limits access to quality healthcare, harming a child’s ability to learn and an adult’s ability to work. Poverty is a barrier to reliable transportation, which in Martin County limits a household’s options around access to quality food, doctors, education, employment, child care and other resources that would be valuable in breaking the cycle.

At House of Hope, our mission is to empower our community to overcome hunger and hardship. We have four service centers spread throughout the County, including our main office in Stuart as well as locations in Indiantown, Jensen Beach and Hobe Sound. Each location is equipped with a client choice pantry that provides access to fresh and healthy foods, nonperishables, toiletries and more. We operate three (and soon to be four) Centers for Enrichment in Stuart, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach, with Hobe Sound coming later this year. These centers offer classes and programs in education, job readiness, health and nutrition, computers, the arts and more. There are resources for all ages, from early learners to senior citizens and everyone in between. Our team of case managers now includes a housing coordinator and a career coach, as well as family centered coaches. All of these programs and services are always offered at no cost to the families that we serve.

House of Hope’s focus on access to quality food, education, career support, health initiatives, housing support and more are keys to helping our clients break the cycle. When you invest your time, talent and treasure in House of Hope, and by extension in our clients, you are helping to build a stronger community. To learn more about how you may help, or how to connect if you need our services, please visit us at www.hohmartin.org.

Thank you for spreading hope in our community.