Orlando Sentinel Family Fund donates $25,000 in grants to HOPE Helps, Inc.

Media Contact: Joan Faulkner CEO, HOPE Helps, Inc. Phone: 407-366-3422 Email address: joan@hopehelps.org

Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, A McCormick Foundation Fund Donates to HOPE Helps, Inc.

OVIEDO, FL. (July 24, 2015) - HOPE Helps, Inc., an Oviedo based nonprofit serving families on the brink of homelessness, received a $25,000 grant through the Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, a McCormick Foundation fund. The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund has supported HOPE's Kids of HOPE Enrichment Program for the past several years, impacting the lives of children from low-income families. The funds will go directly toward The Kids of HOPE Enrichment Program, which provides free, healthy lunches through HOPE's Food Pantry during each school break throughout the year. The parents of these children also benefit from the program by having access to HOPE's other resources, as a part of HOPE's mission to help families to become financially independent and sustainable. "The support through the Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, allows us to continue our efforts in alleviating hunger for children in our community," said Joan Faulkner, CEO of HOPE Helps, Inc. "Now in its 7th year, Kids of HOPE has been extremely successful in tracking progress of families in need and helping them to self-sufficiency. When parents register their children, they are able to meet with a case manager to help them with a personalized plan to get them back on their feet.", Faulkner said. "Our client families in the program are invited to register for the annual Back to School Bash, which provides everything a child needs to start school. The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, has been extremely instrumental in their support in funding this program."   HOPE Helps Inc.'s Joan Faulkner (CEO), Jasmine Campbell (Resource Coordinator), Heather Georgen (Case/Program Manager), and Nick Ramos (Resource Specialist) receives a check from Lisa Jacobsen,Charitable Giving and Communications Manager of the Orlando Sentinel Family Fund. "The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund and HOPE Helps share a commitment to addressing the growing needs of our local communities," said Lisa Jacobsen, Charitable Giving and Communications Manager with the Orlando Sentinel.  "We're proud to support the Kids of HOPE program to help ensure that children have access to nutritious food all year round."

About HOPE Helps, Inc.

HOPE Helps Inc. prevents and reduces hunger and homelessness in Central Florida by assisting individuals and families in times of crisis and by equipping them to become self-sufficient through Housing, Outreach, Prevention and Education. HOPE's services include a Food Pantry, Resource Center and Thrift Store. For more information, please visit www.hopehelps.org.

About Orlando Sentinel Family Fund

The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, a fund of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, is committed to supporting programs that move low-income children and families to self-sufficiency. Since 1990, through the Fund, more than 870 grants totaling more than $35 million have been awarded to local nonprofit organizations serving Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and W. Volusia Counties. To learn more about the Orlando Sentinel Children's Fund, visit www.orlandosentinelfamilyfund.org.

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Meet Carletta: A Success Story of HOPE Helps

Meet Carletta:

A success story of HOPE Helps

In December, the resource department met a woman who exemplified how a financial crisis can occur within a matter of moments. 

Carletta is a single mother who was employed full time and was a distinguished employee with multiple awards for her work ethic during the 8 years at her company. When she came to HOPE, she was 7 months pregnant with her second child. 

After Thanksgiving, Carletta's car broke down causing her to pay an unexpected $400.  With bills to pay and a child to provide for, the she had no choice, but to rent a car while hers was in the shop, adding an additional unexpected expense. Shortly after receiving her car back, it was repossessed. In order to gather enough funds to retrieve it, the client pawned off precious jewelry belonging to her and her young daughter. 

To make matters worse, she received an eviction notice stating that she had 14 days to come up with her rent. The client said, 

"I felt like I was stuck in a hole with no rope to help me get out. I had never been in a situation like this before." 

It was then that she began seeking help from outside resources to obtain rental assistance. Upon being turned down by another local agency due to lack of funds for the month, she was directed to seek assistance from the HOPE Helps Resource Center.  

"The morning that I arrived the store was still closed. I sat in my car praying for God to open a doorway to help me get back on my feet. It was Christmas time, I had a young child and I was 7 months pregnant. I never expected anything like this to happen to me." 

It was at HOPE that she found a light at the end of the tunnel. Today, Carletta is enjoying spending time with her children while she is on maternity leave.  She was very eager to share her testimony of the blessing that HOPE was to her. Carletta said, 

"without HOPE my children and I would be out on the street, HOPE is a true blessing to the community."  

Drop a Treasure in The HOPE Chest Fundraiser : April Event

   Our longtime volunteer and author, Suzanne Walker, will donate $3.00 for every online order of her new book, first in a series teaching applied Godly behavior. The storytelling book series starting with Forgiveness shows children ages 4-7 (standard Bible Scripture acceptable to churches  in the HOPE coalition) in a way they can understand to solve daily problems. It is simple, fun and engaging. Offered in hard copy and ebook with free download of  Audio narration.

   The book series is entitled Treasure Chest Blueprint adventures of Mark and James. In the story, James has observed his older brothers and sister struggling with daily problems. Because he wants to be a scientist and detective, he goes on a hunt for answers. In his parent's special closet, he finds a Treasure Chest with a Blueprint (Bible) which maps out the answers. He guides his younger brother Mark and others to truths they can use for a lifetime.

Here's how it works:

1. Click this link to order online: 

https://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781634491471

2. Enter the promo code HOPE2015.

HOPE will receive her profits of $3.00 per book/ebook. 

Help us get lots of COIN!

Become a sponsor for HOPE's 4th Annual Sham Rock N Run 2015!

Thank you for considering sponsorship of HOPE’s 4^th Annual Sham Rock N Run on March 7^th, 2015. The proceeds from this event will directly support families and individuals in crisis right here in our community. Click HERE for a copy of our detailed sponsorship packet.

Sham Rock N Run is your chance to advertise your business, personally engage participants, get positive attention, and gain new customers within the local community for a competitive rate. Sponsors will have the opportunity to feature their logo and company name prominently on our social media, email lists, media PSA's (paid sponsors only) on Clear Channel radio, race t-shirts, and marketing collateral.

*APPLICATIONS & PAYMENT MUST BE SUBMITTED 

BY JANUARY 30^th, 2015 

FOR YOUR LOGO TO BE FEATURED ON OUR SHAM ROCK N RUN T-SHIRTS.*

As a sponsor for Sham Rock N Run, your brand will have exposure to:

•               »300 racers
•          Resident cheerleaders around the race course
•          Local supporters of HOPE Helps, Inc.
•          Volunteers
•          Thrift Store customers
•          5,000 + e-newsletter subscribers
•          Web visitors on the HOPE Helps, Inc. website
•          Social media (combined 2,000 followers on Facebook and Twitter)
•          Hundreds of Central Florida residents through flyer distribution and PSAs

Click HERE to download a copy of our sponsorship packet. This form will have additional details and the application to hold your spot.

If you’re looking to try something new to market your company or organization, consider becoming an in-kind sponsor at Sham Rock N Run. All in-kind sponsors will receive recognition through social media and web presence, be able to give away one marketing item in goodie bags, and the opportunity to have a vendor table at the race. All information is listed in our sponsorship packet.

We appreciate your consideration in support of HOPE Helps, Inc. After you have had a chance to review the information, we’ll be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Please submit your questions and applications to Stephanie, our Special Events & Development Coordinator, at events@hopehelps.org.